The search for a new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has gathered momentum following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who last week proceeded on terminal leave after completing his 10-year tenure.
Sources close to the presidency have confirmed that three prominent Nigerians - Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and Professor Lai Olurode - are under consideration to succeed Yakubu, whose tenure formally ends this month.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to present his preferred nominee to the National Council of State during its meeting on Thursday, with an announcement likely to follow immediately after.
Amupitan Tops the List
Insider sources indicate that Professor Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Professor of Law at the University of Jos, currently leads the shortlist.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan is widely regarded as a disciplined academic and experienced legal expert with specialisation in Corporate Governance, Law of Evidence, and Privatisation Law.
He has held several key positions in the University of Jos, including Head of Department, Dean of Law, and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors. He has also served as a member of the Governing Council of the University of Jos and the Council of Legal Education.
A former lawmaker, Timothy Golu, who studied under him, described Amupitan as a “highly principled and approachable scholar,” adding that his integrity and administrative experience would serve INEC well.
Liman, the Judicial Candidate
Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal from Nasarawa State, is also among the top contenders.
Born in 1959, Liman was called to the Bar in 1984 and served on the bench for more than two decades, handling several high-profile constitutional and electoral cases.
He is best known for his rulings on the Kano emirate dispute, where he issued a temporary injunction restraining the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano, as well as his decisions halting moves to suspend or arrest former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Supporters believe Liman’s judicial background and reputation for fairness make him a strong candidate for the position, especially as the commission prepares for key off-cycle elections ahead of 2027.
Olurode, the Experienced Insider
Another contender, Professor Lai Olurode, is a sociologist and lawyer who previously served as a National Commissioner of INEC between 2010 and 2015.
A first-class graduate of Sociology from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), he later obtained his LL.B from the same university and was called to the Bar in 1991. He became a Professor of Sociology in 2000 and served as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UNILAG.
During his time at INEC, Olurode supervised electoral operations in Oyo, Ogun, and Ekiti States. His supporters argue that his prior experience in the commission, coupled with his dual academic and legal background, gives him a unique advantage.
Yakubu Ends Historic Tenure
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who succeeded Professor Attahiru Jega in 2015, remains the only INEC chairman to serve two full terms and the first to complete a decade in office.
Under his leadership, INEC introduced key reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). Though his tenure witnessed challenges, including logistical lapses and controversies over election outcomes, many analysts credit him with deepening electoral transparency.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended Yakubu for his “dedicated service to the nation and steadfast commitment to electoral integrity.”
Yakubu, in his farewell message to staff, said he was stepping down in line with constitutional provisions to ensure a smooth transition. “I have conveyed my decision as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution,” he said.
He has since been conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in recognition of his service.
Agbamuche-Mbu Takes Over in Acting Capacity
Following Yakubu’s exit, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner, has assumed office as Acting Chairman of INEC.
A lawyer and certified arbitrator, Agbamuche-Mbu hails from Delta State and holds degrees from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and the University of London. She was first appointed as a National Commissioner in 2016.
Her appointment marks the second time a woman has led the commission in acting capacity — the first being Amina Bala Zakari in 2015.
As the process to appoint a new chairman progresses, political observers note that whoever emerges will face the crucial task of rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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