Abubakar Hashim/Sierra Leone
Since he was appointed in 2015 as chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Mahmood Yakubu remains the best in the promotion of democracy in West Africa.
Today, he bows out, handing over to the most senior at INEC, May Agbamuche-Mbu, in acting capacity.
President Tinubu will appoint his substantive successor, subject to approval by the Senate.
Why Prof Yakubu Remains Best in West Africa
During his stewardship, West African countries, particularly Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia, received a tremendous boost through the region’s ECONEC, which he chairs.
One cannot forget the crucial donations to the respective electoral bodies in these countries, which produced a successful, unprecedented democratic transition.
Under Yakubu, capacity-building processes were bolstered in the West African region, particularly in the IT departments of the respective electoral bodies.
Thirdly, he transplanted similar innovative steps in Nigeria, like BVAS and IREV, into the West African election management bodies. These automotive steps simplified the collation and announcement of the final results.
The new acting chair, Madam Abhamuche-Mbu, will continue Prof Yakubu’s stewardship until a substantive chairman is announced soon
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