The Presidency on Monday refuted widespread rumours claiming that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been removed from office.
A viral message circulated across WhatsApp platforms earlier in the day alleged that President Bola Tinubu had sacked Yakubu and appointe
Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan as his replacement. The unverified message, which lacked attribution, stated, “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu.”
Reacting to the claim, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, described the report as fake news and urged the public to disregard it.
“No such decision has been made by the President,” Ogra stated, adding that any official changes concerning the leadership of INEC would be communicated through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or other authorised government channels.
The clarification comes amid heightened political sensitivity surrounding the electoral commission and its leadership following the 2023 general elections.
Yakubu, who was first appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was reappointed for a second term in 2020, making him the first INEC Chairman to serve two terms since the return of democracy in 1999.
The Presidency’s rebuttal underscores the growing concern over the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly during politically tense periods.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued any statement on the matter.
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