The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked a false narrative circulating on social media regarding the purported death of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The misleading report, which first surfaced on Monday, December 9, 2024, claimed that Prof. Yakubu passed away in a London hospital.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Commission categorically dismissed the story as baseless and urged the public to disregard the rumour. According to Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu remains alive, hale, and hearty. Furthermore, the Commission clarified that the Chairman has not visited London in the past two years.
Highlighting the Chairman’s recent activities, the statement emphasized his presence at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The following day, Thursday, December 12, 2024, he chaired a Commission meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners. Both engagements were widely covered by major television networks and featured prominently on the front pages of leading newspapers on Friday, December 13, 2024.
The Commission also noted that similar false rumors about Prof. Yakubu’s health had been circulated on social media in 2021, describing the recurrence of such misinformation as malicious and damaging.
INEC expressed its concern over the impact of such fake news, not only on the individuals targeted but also on societal trust and cohesion. The Commission reiterated its commitment to collaborating with credible media professionals to combat the proliferation of fake news and safeguard the public from its harmful effects.
The statement concluded with an appeal to social media users to exercise caution and responsibility, warning against the dangers of spreading unverified information.
