Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has finally spoken out against rumours of his demise.The clarification follows rumours spread by various media blogs claiming Yakubu’s death in a London hospital.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu

Recall that Senator Shehu Sani, in a post on social media platform X on Saturday revealed that the reports were false. The former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the senate said he saw the INEC boss recently. Meanwhile, Yakubu’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, has termed the rumours as fake and urged the public to disregard them.

He said Yakubu has not travelled to London in the last two years, contrary to the false reports. Oyekanmi said, “Our 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. The story first appeared on Monday, 9th December 2024.

“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 was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, 11th December 2024. “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 was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, 11th December 2024.

“He also chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th December 2024. Both events were widely covered on television and reported on the front pages of most newspapers yesterday, Friday 13th December 2024.  “The public may recall that mischief-makers on the social media carried a similar fake story in 2021. Three years later, they are spreading the same rumour again,” Oyekanmi said.

He added that those indulging in the fake news, 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.”