The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked reports circulating on social media about the death of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, assured the public that Yakubu is alive and in good health.
“Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative claiming that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu passed away in a London hospital. This false report first emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024,” the statement said.
Oyekanmi emphasized that Yakubu has not traveled to London in the past two years. He highlighted Yakubu’s recent engagements, including an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on December 11, 2024, and a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners the following day, both of which were widely reported in the media.
The statement also reminded the public of a similar rumor about Yakubu’s death that circulated in 2021, warning against the repeated spread of such misinformation.
“Mischief-makers should be mindful of the harm their actions cause to individuals and society at large,” Oyekanmi said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with credible media professionals to combat the spread of fake news and its potential dangers.
