The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly dismissed circulating reports on social media alleging the removal of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. Contrary to the viral message claiming his replacement, Prof. Yakubu is actively presiding over INEC’s weekly management meeting at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Earlier on Monday, a WhatsApp message, which quickly went viral, falsely claimed that President Bola Tinubu had sacked Prof. Yakubu and appointed Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan as the new INEC Chairman. The message, which lacked credible attribution, read: “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu.”
Reacting to the viral claim, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the news as false. In a brief response to Vanguard, he stated: “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
To further affirm Prof. Yakubu’s position, INEC took to its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, confirming the commencement of its routine weekly management meeting with the Chairman in attendance.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) weekly meeting began earlier today at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, with the Hon. Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu superintending,” the post read.
The meeting was attended by National Commissioners including Mr. Sam Olumekun (mni), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Dr. Baba Bila, Malam Mohammed Haruna, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Prof. Sani Adam (SAN), and Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Orianran-Anthony.
The Commission noted that crucial decisions are expected to be made during the meeting.
Prof. Yakubu, who is nearing the end of his second tenure, is expected to conclude his service later this year.
