The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted rumors circulating on social media about the death of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The false reports, which emerged on December 9, 2024, claimed Yakubu passed away in a London hospital.
In a statement on December 14, 2024, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the rumors, confirming that Yakubu is alive and in good health. “Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative claiming the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at a London hospital. We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour. Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale and hearty,” Oyekanmi said.
INEC clarified that Yakubu has not visited London in two years and was actively engaged in official duties during the week. He attended an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on December 11, 2024, and chaired a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on December 12, 2024. Both events were widely covered by the media.
The commission also recalled similar false claims in 2021 and addressed related misinformation during the 2023 general elections, such as the debunked claim by ex-lawmaker Dino Melaye alleging threats to Yakubu’s life.I
NEC condemned the spread of such baseless rumors, emphasizing their damaging effects on individuals and society. The commission urged those responsible to consider the consequences of their actions and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with reputable media outlets to counter the growing threat of fake news.
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