The Director of News at Arise Television, Sumner Sambo, has cautioned the presidency against rushing to appoint a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing the need for comprehensive institutional reforms before any new leadership decision is made.
Sambo gave the advice during an appearance on Prime Time, a programme aired on Arise News on Wednesday, shortly after Professor Mahmood Yakubu officially stepped down as INEC Chairman, handing over to National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, who now serves in an acting capacity.
‘Reforms Must Come Before Appointment’
According to Sambo, Nigeria’s electoral system requires a stronger institutional foundation before selecting a new head for the commission.
“Mahmood and Jega stepping down as INEC chairmen respectively should give us time to reflect on who will be the next chairman,” he said.
“The presidency should not be too hasty in looking at who they will bring without ensuring institutional reforms are put in place.”
He also dismissed speculations that President Bola Tinubu asked Yakubu to resign, emphasizing that the President has no such constitutional authority.
Yakubu Explains Decision to Step Aside
Meanwhile, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu clarified that his decision to bow out of office was in line with constitutional provisions and intended to allow a smooth transition for a new leadership.
Speaking during a brief handover ceremony at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu said his exit would “afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new chairman” and help the incoming leader “quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment.”
The outgoing chairman cited Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the basis for his handover and confirmed that May Agbamuche-Mbu, one of the most senior national commissioners, will act as chairman pending a substantive appointment.
A Decade of Electoral Leadership
Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman for 10 years, expressed appreciation to members of the commission, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), political parties, civil society, security agencies, and Nigerians for their support and constructive criticism throughout his tenure.
“Together, we innovated and managed the commission’s enormous responsibilities, sometimes on the verge of breaking down,” he recalled.
He also thanked the National Assembly, the National Peace Committee, labour unions, and development partners for their collaboration over the years.
