Court Orders Arrest of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu as Tinubu Eyes Amupitan as Possible Successor
The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged contempt of court.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi following a suit by the Action Alliance (AA), which accused INEC of disobeying a subsisting court order. The party had approached the court to compel the commission to recognise state chairmen elected under the leadership of Adekunle Rufai Omoaje’s National Executive Committee.
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The court had earlier ruled in AA’s favour and directed INEC to update its records and portal to reflect the names of the duly elected state chairmen. However, INEC allegedly failed to comply with the directive, prompting contempt proceedings against its chairman.
In her ruling, Justice Demi-Ajayi expressed strong displeasure at the commission’s non-compliance. She imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on Yakubu and gave him seven days to restore the names of all state chairmen elected under Omoaje’s leadership to the INEC portal.
The judge warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would lead to Yakubu’s arrest by the police. The court also reaffirmed that the national convention which produced Omoaje as the party’s national chairman was valid, having been conducted in line with the Constitution of the Action Alliance and the Electoral Act, and monitored by INEC officials.
Tinubu Reportedly Considers Successor
Meanwhile, as Yakubu’s tenure winds down, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly considering Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as his likely replacement.
A presidency source confirmed to journalists that Amupitan, a renowned legal scholar and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, is being strongly considered for the top electoral job. A close associate of Amupitan also disclosed that while no official announcement has been made, discussions around his nomination are advanced.
Yakubu, appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is nearing the completion of his second and final term after nearly 10 years in office. He was initially expected to step down in June but reportedly remained in office at the presidency’s request while the search for a successor continued.
During his time as INEC chairman, Yakubu introduced several key reforms, including the BVAS accreditation system, the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), and simultaneous accreditation and voting. However, his tenure was also marred by criticisms over inconclusive elections and disputed poll outcomes.
Profile of a Potential Replacement
Professor Amupitan, born April 25, 1967, in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Kogi State, has spent decades in academia and legal practice. He became a professor of law in 2008 and is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He has specialised in Corporate Governance, Law of Evidence, Privatisation, and Company Law, and has authored multiple books and over 70 scholarly articles.
He has held several administrative roles at the University of Jos, including Head of Department, Dean of Law, and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors. He currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and is also Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Amupitan has served on the boards of government and private entities, acted as a consultant to the National Assembly, participated in high-level judicial panels, and is a member of numerous professional associations, including the International Bar Association and Nigerian Bar Association.
If confirmed, he would oversee crucial upcoming elections, including the Anambra governorship poll slated for November 2026, the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026, and the 2027 general elections.
The reported move to replace Yakubu, coupled with the court’s arrest order, signals a turbulent transition at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body.
