The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged death of its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, issued a statement confirming that Prof. Yakubu is alive and in good health. He also clarified that Prof. Yakubu has not traveled to London in the past two years.
Reports were shared on social media stating that the INEC chairman had passed away in a London hospital following a brief illness. The statement read: “We have been alerted to a false narrative circulating on social media claiming that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has died in a London hospital. This story first emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024.
“We urge the public to disregard this rumor. Prof. Yakubu is alive, healthy, and in good spirits. He has not traveled 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, December 11, 2024, and chaired the Commission's meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Both events were widely covered on television and featured prominently in major newspapers on Friday, December 13, 2024.
“The public may remember that similar rumors circulated in 2021, and now, three years later, the same falsehood is being spread again.
“Those who engage in this behavior, as well as those who propagate these stories, should consider the impact on both the individual and society as a whole.
“The Commission will continue to collaborate with reputable media professionals to combat the spread of fake news and the dangers it poses to society.”
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