The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked rumors circulating on social media about the death of its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.
In a statement on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, clarified that Yakubu is “alive, hale, and hearty,” adding that he has not traveled to London in the last two years.
Oyekanmi revealed that Yakubu was actively present at two recent official engagements: an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on December 11, 2024, and a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on December 12, 2024.
Both events received widespread media coverage.
The statement condemned the recurring spread of such false narratives, noting that a similar rumor was propagated in 2021.
INEC urged the public to disregard the malicious reports and emphasized the importance of combating fake news.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with credible media outlets to address the dangers posed by misinformation in society.