By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is alive and in good health.
The statement was issued following the circulation of a false report claiming Yakubu had passed away in London.
The rumours, which emerged on Dec. 9, were dismissed by INEC as untrue.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, assured the public that Yakubu has not traveled to London in the past two years and was actively involved in meetings with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters and Resident Electoral Commissioners on Dec. 11 and 12.
These events were extensively covered by the media.
This is not the first time such rumours have surfaced.
A similar false story emerged in 2021.
INEC urged the public to disregard the misinformation and reminded individuals of the harmful effects of spreading fake news.
The Commission also expressed its commitment to working with credible media outlets to combat the spread of false information.
The statement reads: “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. 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 social media carried a similar fake story in 2021. Three years later, they are spreading the same rumour again.
“Those who indulge in this practice, 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.”
