The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, presided over the agency’s weekly management meeting on Tuesday, despite unverified reports circulating about his alleged removal from office.
The meeting took place at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, just a day after a viral message spread across WhatsApp claimed that President Bola Tinubu had dismissed Yakubu and replaced him with a professor named Bashiru Olamilekan. The message did not include any official source or confirmation, leading to uncertainty and speculation on social media.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, addressed the rumor on Monday. He urged Nigerians to ignore the claim, stating, “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
On Tuesday morning, INEC posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account confirming the ongoing weekly management meeting, with Professor Yakubu in attendance and actively leading the session. The update included a group photo featuring key officials of the commission, further dispelling the rumors of his removal.
The post also named several National Commissioners who joined the meeting, including Mr. Sam Olumekun, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, and Dr. Baba Bila. Other officials present were Malam Mohammed Haruna, Professor Kunle Ajayi, Professor Sani Adam (SAN), and the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Orianran-Anthony.
The commission noted that the meeting is focused on making important decisions regarding electoral operations and administrative planning.
Professor Yakubu is currently serving his second term as INEC Chairman, which is scheduled to conclude later in the year.
