By Ayomide Otitoju
The Presidency has debunked widespread rumours circulating on social media claiming that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been removed from office.
O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Media, issued a swift rebuttal on Monday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging Nigerians to disregard the reports, which he described as false and unfounded.
“The Nigerian public should disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman. Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or any other appropriate official source,” Ogra stated.
The clarification follows a weekend of heightened speculation on social media, where claims—unsupported by any credible source—suggested that President Tinubu had dismissed Professor Yakubu. The posts gained rapid traction, sparking political debate and raising concerns about potential instability ahead of key off-cycle elections, particularly in Anambra State.
Professor Yakubu, who was first appointed as INEC Chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, and reappointed in 2020, plays a central role in Nigeria’s democratic process. His leadership of the commission has drawn both praise and criticism, particularly in the wake of the 2023 general elections, with opposition voices calling for his resignation over alleged electoral irregularities.
Analysts have warned that unverified reports regarding the INEC leadership could erode public confidence in the electoral system and fuel unnecessary political tension.
The Presidency’s prompt clarification is aimed at quelling such tensions and reiterating the importance of relying solely on official government communication channels for verified information.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or any other authorized body regarding any leadership changes at INEC.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, the removal of the INEC Chairman requires due legal process. The President can only act on such removal following an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu is currently serving his second five-year term as head of the electoral commission.
