The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed rumours circulating about the death of its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, issued a statement on Saturday, urging the public to disregard the false reports claiming Yakubu had passed away in a London hospital.
“Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated on social media, alleging the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in a London hospital. This falsehood first surfaced on Monday, 9th December 2024,” the statement read.
Oyekanmi assured Nigerians that the Chairman is alive, healthy, and has not visited London in the last two years. He further highlighted Yakubu’s recent public engagements, including an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, and a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Both events were widely covered by the media.
The statement also pointed out that similar rumors about Yakubu’s death had been spread in 2021 and warned against the dangers of such malicious practices.
“Those who indulge in spreading fake news should consider the harm it causes to individuals and society. We appeal to the public to ignore these baseless rumors,” Oyekanmi stated.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with credible media outlets to combat the spread of misinformation and its impact on public trust.
