The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims circulating online that its current chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been removed from office.
The clarification came in response to a viral message that spread across WhatsApp and other platforms, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had dismissed Yakubu and appointed a replacement.
The message, which was widely shared but lacked any credible source, claimed that “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu.” However, officials have confirmed there is no truth to this information.
Speaking to Vanguard via a brief message, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, addressed the rumour directly. He said: “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
Professor Yakubu is currently serving his second term as INEC chairman. His tenure is expected to end towards the close of the year. So far, there has been no official indication from the presidency about a change in leadership at the electoral body.
