The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked the rumour of the death of it’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to Yakubu made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
He said that INEC’s attention was drawn to the rumour and fake news circulating all over the social media that Yakubu is dead.
He said Yakubu is currently in London hospital saying he was alive and health
According to the statement, “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.
“We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour as 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.
“He also chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC’s) on Thursday, Dec. 12.
“Both events were widely covered on television and reported on the front pages of most newspapers yesterday on Friday,”Oyekanmi said.
He added that the public may recall that mischief-makers on the social media carried a similar fake story in 2021 adding that three years later, they are spreading the same rumour again.
He added that 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.
Oyekanmi said that the Commission would continue to work with genuine media professionals to combat the scourge of fake news and the danger it poses to society.