Mahmood Yakubu

Joash Amupitan Named New INEC Chairman By Tinubu

October 9, 2025 11:56 am

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to become the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The National Council of State confirmed the approval on Thursday, following the departure of his predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

His nomination is historic as he is the first native of Kogi State to be tapped for INEC’s top post. His long academic and legal career gives him a profile distinct from prior chairpersons. The Council’s approval also allows the president to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation, in line with constitutional …

Yakubu INEC Legacy Questioned As He Exits Under Criticism

October 8, 2025 7:31 am

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has said that outgoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, leaves behind a “weak commission” despite introducing notable reforms during his ten years in office.

Itodo made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, shortly after Yakubu handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu as Acting INEC Chair.

Itodo acknowledged that Yakubu made “remarkable contributions” to Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly through the adoption of technology, but argued that political interference and partisan appointments eroded INEC’s independence.

“You cannot wish away that Professor Mahmood …

2023 INEC May Relocate Sensitive Materials From CBN - Yakubu

INEC Boss, Mahmood Expresses Worry Ahead Of Elections

May 26, 2022 1:01 pm

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu has expressed a lot of worries about the level of money politics which have been threatening Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Yakubu said that money politics is becoming more present, adding that the risk is that Nigeria’s democracy may soon become a plutocracy for the rich rather than a democracy for the people.

He spoke at an event organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) in Abuja on Wednesday.