By Adigun Sunday
ABUJA, NIGERIA —The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media about the purported death of its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. In a press release issued on Saturday, December 14, 2024, INEC described the reports as false, labeling them as a deliberate act of misinformation aimed at causing panic.
The fake story, which surfaced on Monday, December 9, 2024, alleged that Professor Yakubu had passed away at a hospital in London. However, INEC clarified that not only is the Chairman alive and well, but he has also not traveled to London in the past two years.
“Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale and hearty,” stated Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman. “He was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11, and chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12. Both events were widely covered on television and reported in major newspapers.”
The Commission emphasized that similar rumors had circulated in 2021 and expressed concern over the resurgence of such false narratives. INEC urged mischief-makers to consider the damaging impact of fake news, not only on individuals but also on societal trust and stability.
“This act of spreading fake news is irresponsible and dangerous,” the statement read. “Those who engage in it, and those who share it, must understand the broader consequences of their actions.”
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with credible media professionals to combat misinformation, calling it a serious threat to public confidence and democracy. The Commission also appealed to the public to verify information before sharing and to rely on authentic news sources for accurate reporting.
