May Agbamuche has assumed office as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following a formal handover by Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

The handover took place on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Agbamuche, who is currently the longest-serving National Commissioner at INEC, will oversee the commission’s activities in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

In his remarks at the handover, Professor Yakubu urged national commissioners and directors within the commission to give Agbamuche their full cooperation and support during the transition period.

Professor Yakubu was first appointed as INEC Chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, succeeding acting chairperson Amina Zakari. He was confirmed by the Senate on October 29, 2015, and sworn in on November 9, 2015.

He completed his first term in November 2020 and was subsequently reappointed for a second and final five-year term.

His reappointment was confirmed by the Senate and he was sworn in on December 1, 2020.

His tenure as INEC Chairman is scheduled to end in November 2025, marking the completion of a constitutionally permitted 10-year term in office.

Meanwhile, there are indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may soon appoint Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next substantive Chairman of INEC.

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According to sources, the formal announcement is expected during the forthcoming Council of State meeting scheduled for Thursday at the State House in Abuja.

If appointed, Professor Amupitan would succeed Yakubu as INEC Chairman, pending confirmation by the Senate.

Further developments are expected following the Council of State meeting.