The Presidency has officially debunked widespread rumours suggesting that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been removed from office.
Reacting to the false claims, the Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media, Mr. O’tega Ogra, dismissed the reports as “fake news” and urged the public to ignore them entirely.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ogra said, “Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman. Any such announcement will come from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or any other official source.”
The clarification comes amid rising speculation across social media and various online platforms, alleging that President Tinubu had taken steps to remove Prof. Yakubu from his role. The rumour quickly gained traction, triggering widespread public discourse and concern over the independence of the electoral body.
However, the Presidency has reaffirmed that no such decision has been made and that the public should rely only on verified and official channels for information relating to appointments or removals of public officials.
Political observers have described the swift reaction by the Presidency as crucial in dispelling misinformation and maintaining confidence in the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has been serving as INEC Chairman since November 2015, was reappointed in 2020 for a second term.
