By Ayomide Otitoju
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly denied circulating reports regarding the death of its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. In a statement released on Saturday by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, the agency confirmed that Yakubu is alive and well.
The clarification comes in response to false narratives that surfaced on social media, claiming that the INEC Chairman had passed away in a London hospital. These rumors first emerged on December 9, 2024.
“We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour. Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale and hearty. In fact, he has not traveled to London in the last two years,” the statement read.
The INEC Chairman was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on December 11, 2024, and also chaired a subsequent meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on December 12, 2024. Both events were widely covered by television and reported by major newspapers.
The statement emphasizes that similar falsehoods had been spread in 2021, highlighting the ongoing issue of misinformation. “Those who indulge in this practice, as well as those who spread it, should be mindful of its effect not only on the individual but also on the wider society,” it warned.
Additionally, the INEC affirmed its commitment to collaborating with reputable media professionals to combat the spread of fake news and the associated dangers it poses to society.
