The former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Tuesday he stepped down from the seat to pave the way for another person to lead the commission.
Yakubu had earlier on Tuesday handed over to a National Commissioner, Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu, as acting Chairman of the commission.
The brief handover ceremony took place during the INEC’s regular consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said his exit would also enable the person taking over to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.
The former chairman said he knew the enormity of the challenges ahead, having been privileged to serve the commission for 10 years, with only a few more weeks remaining for him to serve.
He was appointed as the INEC chairman by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015.
Yakubu said: “I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“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, Ms. May Agbamuchembu 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.”
He expressed appreciation to members of the commission and RECs for the excellent working relations they shared.
He noted that since 2015, he had worked with 24 national commissioners and 67 RECs.
Yakubu stressed that he would forever cherish the support of successive secretaries and staff of INEC nationwide.
“Together, we innovated and managed the commission’s enormous responsibilities, sometimes on the verge of breaking down,’’ he recalled.
He also appreciated the support of the National Assembly, political parties, the National Peace Committee, civil society, the media, the labour unions, security agencies, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and other stakeholders.
“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,’’ he stated.
