“Prof. Yakubu is Alive” -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted rumours circulating on social media alleging the death of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The reports, which emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024, falsely claimed that Yakubu had died in a London hospital.

In a statement issued on Saturday, December 14, 2024, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, called on the public to disregard the rumours, confirming that Prof. Yakubu is alive, well, and in good health.

“The reports claiming that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu passed away are false,” Oyekanmi stated. “The INEC Chairman has not traveled to London in the past two years and was present at official events in Abuja earlier this week.”

The commission further clarified that Prof. Yakubu attended an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. He also chaired a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12, 2024, both of which were extensively covered by the media.

INEC also recalled that a similar fake news story about the Chairman’s death had spread in 2021, with the same false claims resurfacing three years later.

The commission condemned the malicious spread of misinformation and warned that those responsible for initiating and propagating such rumors should be held accountable for the harm they cause. INEC further reaffirmed its commitment to working with credible media outlets to counter the growing menace of fake news and protect public trust in the electoral process.