INEC dismisses rumours of chairman’s death

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked rumours about the death of its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja urged Nigerians to disregard claims on social media about the death of his principal.

The statement read: “Attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated by a section of the social media claiming the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a London hospital.”

He noted that the story first appeared on December 9.

“We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour. Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale, and hearty.

“In fact, he has not travelled to London in the last two years. He attended an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11.

READ ALSO: INEC can handle local government elections —Yakubu

“He also chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12. Both events were widely covered on television and reported on the front pages of most newspapers yesterday, Friday, December 13.

“The public may recall that mischief-makers on social media carried a similar fake story in 2021. Three years later, they are spreading the same rumour again.

“Those who indulge in this practice, as well as those who spread it, should be mindful of its effect not only on the individual but also the wider society.

“The Commission will continue to work with genuine media professionals to combat the scourge of fake news and the danger it poses to society,” he added.

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