The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked rumors circulating on social media claiming its chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has died in London.
In a statement released by the INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission clarified that Professor Yakubu is alive, healthy, and has not visited London in the last two years.
“Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated on social media alleging the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a London hospital. The story first surfaced on Monday, 9th December 2024.
“We urge the public to disregard this baseless rumor. Prof. Yakubu is hale and hearty. In fact, he has not traveled to London in two years. On Wednesday, 11th December 2024, he attended an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters. Additionally, on Thursday, 12th December 2024, he chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners. Both events were widely covered by television and featured on the front pages of several newspapers on Friday, 13th December 2024,” the statement read.
INEC also reminded the public of a similar false report in 2021, noting that three years later, the same misinformation is being recycled.
“Those who create and spread such falsehoods should consider the harm they cause not only to individuals but to society at large,” the statement warned.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with the media to combat fake news and misinformation effectively.