By Nkechi Eze
The Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, has expressed optimism about the strength and resilience of Nigeria’s democracy, describing the growing enthusiasm of citizens toward ongoing electoral activities as a strong endorsement of democratic governance and the Commission’s reforms.
Speaking at the third quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said the impressive turnout in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise reflects Nigerians’ enduring faith in the power of the ballot.
“The Commission is impressed by the response of Nigerians to the CVR exercise, and for us, this is a testament that our citizens believe in democracy and in INEC’s efforts to ensure that every eligible Nigerian has the right to determine who leads them,” she stated.
Providing updates on the ongoing voter registration exercise, the INEC boss revealed that the nationwide process, which began with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, and in-person registration on August 25, 2025, has recorded remarkable progress and will continue until August 30, 2026. Weekly updates, she noted, are published on the Commission’s website for transparency.
She emphasized that citizens’ active participation in the registration exercise and recent bye-elections demonstrates a deepening democratic awareness across the country. Reviewing recent electoral activities, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu highlighted the bye-elections conducted on August 16, 2025, across two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies, as well as two court-ordered reruns in Enugu and Kano States. She confirmed that all declarations and certificates of return were duly issued in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022.
Looking ahead, the Acting Chairman said preparations for the Anambra State Governorship Election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, are progressing steadily, with ten out of thirteen key activities already completed. “We have been working assiduously to ensure the successful conduct of the Anambra election. Non-sensitive materials have been delivered, and voter education is ongoing,” she noted.
She also disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections will hold on February 21, 2026, across 68 constituencies, with eight of the thirteen scheduled activities already concluded. The publication of the official register of voters and notice of poll, she said, will follow in due course.
In addition, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu announced that 14 political associations have satisfied the constitutional and legal criteria to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties, out of 171 applications received by the Commission.
Reflecting on the Commission’s institutional journey, the Acting Chairman paid glowing tribute to her predecessor, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his tenure on October 7, 2025. She described him as “a visionary leader who left behind a legacy of innovation, institutional strength, and integrity.”
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu assured civil society representatives that INEC will continue to uphold transparency, inclusivity, and credibility in all its electoral engagements. “Our democracy is stronger today because Nigerians continue to show faith in it,” she said. “As a Commission, we will continue to justify that trust by protecting the sanctity of the vote and ensuring that every election reflects the will of the people.”
Responding on behalf of civil society, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) congratulated Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu on her appointment as Acting Chairman, expressing confidence in her capacity to consolidate on Prof. Yakubu’s achievements.
“We are proud to be associated with Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu because of her long-standing engagement with civil society. We are confident she will build on the legacies laid by her predecessor,” Nwagwu said, pledging the continued support of civil society organizations, especially toward the success of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.
He also emphasized the importance of empowering resident electoral commissioners and electoral officers at the state level, whom he described as “the frontline soldiers of the election process,” while commending INEC’s sustained innovations and technological improvements designed to enhance transparency and credibility in future polls.
