Human rights lawyer and activist Frank Tietie has strongly criticised the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, describing his tenure as a “huge disappointment” to Nigerians.

Tietie made the remarks during an appearance on Arise News’ The Morning Show while reacting to the end of Yakubu’s two-term tenure and the appointment of May Agbamuche-Mbu as the Acting National Chairman of INEC.

Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman since 2015, officially stepped down on Tuesday, handing over to Agbamuche, the longest-serving National Commissioner in the electoral body.

Tietie expressed dismay that despite the enormous independence and resources granted to INEC, Yakubu failed to deliver credible elections or uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

“He just didn’t say anything and didn’t do anything,” Tietie lamented. “That scenario of the so much promise with regards to the electronic transmission of results that failed in the 2023 election was more or less an unforgivable offense to Nigerians.”

Tietie accused the former INEC boss of neglecting his responsibility to address electoral malpractice, violence, and the blatant violation of campaign regulations throughout his tenure.

He argued that Yakubu had the constitutional backing and full financial autonomy to act decisively but instead chose silence and inaction.

“INEC enjoys constitutional independence and gets all the funds it needs directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Despite all that, Professor Mahmood did not do well in the eyes of Nigerians. Nigerians treated him well, but he failed to deliver,” he said.

Tietie concluded by urging Yakubu’s successor to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system, adding that the new leadership has “a lot to cure in the eyes of Nigerians.”