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UPDATED: New acting INEC chair takes over

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A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission, May Agbamuche-Mbu, has taken over as the acting Chairman of the Commission.

This followed the formal handover of duties by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on a terminal leave.

The transition was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, Yakubu explained that he was stepping down in accordance with Section 306, Subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“In recognition of the significant challenges ahead, and having had the honour of serving the Commission for the past 10 years, with only a few weeks remaining in my tenure. I have made a decision.

“In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners by date of appointment. Following consultation with other national commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the Commission.

“I hope that this will afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new chairman. It will also enable the new chairman to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment.

“Since 2015, I have worked with 24 national commissioners and 67 resident electoral commissioners, so also to the staff of the Commission. Those involved in elections or vastly knowledgeable about election management understand the conduct of elections and what it entails. I will forever cherish the support of successive secretaries and staff of the Commission nationwide,” he noted.

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Yakubu expressed gratitude to colleagues, stakeholders, civil society groups, development partners, and Nigerians, acknowledging their roles in supporting electoral processes during his tenure.

He also praised members of the National Youth Service Corps, calling them “among the most educated and most patriotic and also most knowledgeable election officials I have worked with.

“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere.”

As part of his farewell, Yakubu presented two publications documenting the Commission’s work during his tenure: Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025.

“All that remains at this point is for me to pray that God will continue to bless our country and our democracy,” Yakubu said as he handed over to Agbamuche-Mbu.

He added, “It is now my pleasure to sign my official handing over notes and present the same to Agbamuche-Mbu. And from that point, I will take my exit.”

Before taking his exit, the outgoing chairman outlined the Commission’s preparations for several upcoming elections, including the Anambra State governorship election next month, the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory in February 2026, the Ekiti State governorship election in June 2026, and the Osun governorship election in August 2026.

He also confirmed that “INEC has already begun preparations for the 2027 general elections” while awaiting the passage of “a new Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.”

“Beyond these reviews, the commission needs to further clean up the voters’ register, review the locations of some of the polling units, and allotment of voters to them. The management of party primaries is another major area of activity,” he said.

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Yakubu reflected on the logistics and challenges of managing Nigeria’s electoral process, highlighting issues such as insecurity, natural disasters like floods, and the need to update frameworks for internally displaced persons’ voting.

“Over the years, we achieved a lot in responding to challenges and monitoring our introducing many innovations. We have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of our manual processes with digital platforms and applications,” he said.

He listed innovations introduced under his leadership, including technologies for locating election facilities, virtual training, management of political party finances, and monitoring elections through the Election Monitoring and Support Centre.

“Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done,” he said.

Before his foray into electoral administration, Yakubu, born in May 1962, served as Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund.

Former president Muhammadu Buhari appointed Yakubu as INEC on October 21, 2015, following Senate confirmation, and he assumed office on November 9, 2015, succeeding Professor Attahiru Jega.

In 2020, he was reappointed for a second five-year term, again confirmed by the Senate — first in Nigeria’s democratic history.

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Nigerians Were Ready To Give Peter Obi Power Free Of Charge – Kenneth Okonkwo

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African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has claimed that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, destroyed his chances of becoming great.

According to him, Obi has failed to make the necessary sacrifice to retain support from Nigerians.

He asserted that Nigerians had been willing to support the NDC flag bearer and hand him political power without the usual struggle associated with securing elective office.

It was reports that Okonkwo made the remarks during an interview on Selah Meditate Podcast, where he was asked to describe President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Obi in one sentence.

Speaking about Obi, Okonkwo said, “Peter Obi is a man who had the opportunity of being great and dashed it by himself. No system will give you egg without breaking it. You can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg.

“He’s a man that God and living people would have loved to give him what he wants, but he needs to make the necessary sacrifice, no matter what it will entail, to hold onto that free gift.”

According to him, Obi’s political circumstances were unusual because, for the first time, Nigerians were prepared to give a politician power without demanding the conventional political incentives associated with elections.

“For the first time in Nigeria, people are willing to give somebody power free of charge. You should be able to make every sacrifice needed, no matter what,” he added.

Speaking further, he described Atiku as a benevolent and humane leader determined to continue pursuing the presidency to give Nigerians what he considers the benefits of his leadership.

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“If you tell me to describe Atiku, I will say benevolent leader that doesn’t want to give up until he ensures the nation has a taste of the benevolence,” he said.

He added that the former vice-president was a “good leader” and “humane leader” who wanted to help rescue the country within his lifetime.

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Reforms are working – Akpabio champions Tinubu 2027 re-election

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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has begun making a fresh case for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, urging Northern youths to support the administration’s economic reforms and policy continuity.

Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday while receiving a high-level delegation of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly in Abuja.

He said the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms, were painful but necessary measures to reposition the economy.

According to him, the policies have now crossed a critical threshold and are beginning to produce tangible benefits for Nigerians.

“I stand before you not merely as a politician, but as a public servant committed to the prosperity of our nation, and particularly this vital region,” Akpabio told the youth leaders.

“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential.”

The Senate President said the removal of the fuel subsidy and efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market were necessary steps towards achieving fiscal sustainability.

He acknowledged that the measures initially imposed difficulties on Nigerians but argued that they were required to redirect government resources to critical sectors.

“While these measures initially posed challenges, they were the surgical procedures needed to redirect resources into healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.

Akpabio also claimed that the reforms were producing early positive indicators, including improved revenue collection, increased investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.

He urged Northern youths to become active participants in governance rather than waiting for the future before taking responsibility.

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“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he told the delegation.

He said the 10th National Assembly was prioritising reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

“Your innovation and engagement are the lifeblood of these reforms,” Akpabio said.

“We urge you to be critical consumers of information and to engage in constructive dialogue.”

The Senate President’s comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across the country.

His appeal also places policy continuity at the centre of the argument for another Tinubu term.

Akpabio argued that abandoning the current reform programme before its consolidation could undermine the gains being recorded.

On his part,The group’s spokesperson of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, commended Akpabio for what he described as efforts to strengthen political understanding between the North and South.

“We commend the Senate President for his accessibility and his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian project,” Dan-Musa said.

“His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries.”

The coalition also pledged to mobilise at the grassroots to educate Nigerians on what it described as the long-term benefits of the Federal Government’s economic policies.

Dan-Musa said national unity must remain above regional demands and sectional interests.

“National unity is the ultimate anchor of our collective survival.

“No regional sentiment can take precedence over the sovereignty and peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”,he said .

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Meanwhile,the assembly identified three key areas for its political engagement ahead of 2027.

They include continuous consultation with Northern youth structures, grassroots enlightenment on federal fiscal policies and an uncompromising commitment to national cohesion.

The coalition said federal leadership must maintain mutual respect and transparent consultation with Northern youth organisations.

It also pledged to embark on awareness campaigns aimed at explaining the government’s economic policies to rural communities.

The group said such engagement was necessary to address misinformation and help Nigerians understand the implications of the reforms.

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2027: No presidential candidate including Peter Obi can improve Nigeria – Datti Baba-Ahmed

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Former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has disclosed that none of the candidates running for the presidency in 2027 can improve Nigeria.

Datti expressed this opinion during an interview on Mic On Podcast.

Making reference to his former principal, Peter Obi, Datti said the now NDC presidential candidate left his comfort zone when he abandoned the Labour Party.

He said: “None of the people contesting will improve Nigeria, including Peter Obi. Peter Obi left his comfort zone; he was adopted as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party as far back as 2024.

“When he was going to join ADC, I had to go to Yar’Adua Centre ahead of him, called him aside, and they were worried: why is Datti calling Obi aside?

“I told him that this is the last time that I’m coming to this place, but I want to tell you that this is not a place for you. Was I proven wrong? I was proven right, and within four months, Obi left ADC.

“I don’t like people who contradict themselves, and I don’t want to go into criticising the politics of Atiku because that’s not what I’m about.”

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