THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the public to disregard rumors regarding the death of its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.
In a statement released today by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, it was confirmed that Yakubu is alive and well. This clarification follows unverified reports claiming that the INEC Chairman had died in a London hospital.
“Our attention has been drawn to false information circulating on social media about the supposed death of INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. This false story first emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024.
“We appeal to the public to ignore this rumor. Prof. Yakubu is alive and in good health. In fact, he has not traveled to London in the past two years.
“He was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, and also chaired a meeting with the Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Both events received extensive coverage on television and were reported in the front pages of numerous newspapers on Friday, December 13, 2024.
“The public may recall that similar fake news about him circulated on social media in 2021. Now, three years later, the same rumor has resurfaced.
“Those who engage in spreading such falsehoods and those who propagate them should consider the impact not only on individuals but also on society at large,” the statement noted.
The statement concluded by emphasizing that the Commission will continue to collaborate with reputable media professionals to combat the issue of fake news and the risks it poses to society.
