INEC Chairman Yakubu Finally Breaks Silence on Death Rumours, Shares Fresh Details
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has addressed widespread rumours claiming his death.
PulseNets learnt that these rumours, which originated from certain media blogs, alleged that Yakubu passed away in a London hospital. However, the claims have been firmly debunked by multiple credible sources.
Recall that Senator Shehu Sani, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) last Saturday, refuted the reports. The former Kaduna Central Senator revealed he recently saw the INEC Chairman, dismissing the claims as baseless.
Speaking to PulseNets, Yakubu’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, described the rumours as entirely fake and urged Nigerians to disregard them. He clarified that Professor Yakubu has not traveled to London in the past two years.
“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 the social media carried a similar fake story in 2021. Three years later, they are spreading the same rumour again,” Oyekanmi told PulseNets.
Oyekanmi further cautioned individuals circulating such false narratives, urging them to consider the potential harm such misinformation causes to both individuals and society at large.
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“The Commission will continue to work with genuine media professionals to combat the scourge of fake news and the danger it poses to society,” he added.
PulseNets also observed that Professor Yakubu has remained active in his official duties, further discrediting the claims. The INEC Chairman’s robust schedule underscores his continued commitment to overseeing the Commission’s electoral responsibilities effectively.
