The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed rumors circulating on social media about the alleged death of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The false claims, which emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024, alleged that Prof. Yakubu passed away in a London hospital. In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, released a statement on Saturday, urging the public to ignore the rumors. He confirmed that Prof. Yakubu is alive, in good health, and carrying out his duties.
“Our attention has been drawn to false reports circulating on social media claiming that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, passed away in a London hospital. This misinformation first appeared on Monday, December 9, 2024,” Oyekanmi stated.
He further clarified that Prof. Yakubu has not traveled to London in over two years. “Prof. Yakubu has not visited London within the last two years. On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, he participated in an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters. The next day, Thursday, December 12, 2024, he chaired a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners. Both events were widely broadcast on television and reported by major newspapers on Friday, December 13, 2024,” the statement added.
INEC also highlighted that a similar rumor about Prof. Yakubu’s death had circulated in 2021 and has now resurfaced three years later. The commission condemned the spread of such falsehoods, warning about the harm these rumors cause to individuals and the public.
The commission reaffirmed its dedication to working with credible media organizations to combat misinformation and called on the public to verify information before sharing or believing it.
