The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has debunked rumors on social media regarding the death of its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
A statement by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, on Saturday said he is hale and hearty.
“Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated by a section of the social media claiming the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at a London hospital.
“The story first appeared on Monday, 9th December 2024.
“We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour. Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale and hearty.”
He also revealed that the chairman has not been to London in the past two years.
In fact, he has not travelled to London in the last two years. He was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, 11th December 2024. He also chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th December 2024. Both events were widely covered on television and reported on the front pages of most newspapers yesterday, Friday 13th December 2024.”
The commission recalled that a similar fake news. was circulated in 2021
“The public may recall that mischief-makers on the social media carried a similar fake story in 2021. Three years later, they are spreading the same rumor again.”
It also urged those involved masterminds of fake news and this who spread it to be mindful as it affects the society as a whole.
“The Commission will continue to work with genuine media professionals to combat the scourge of fake news and the danger it poses to society.”