Yakubu’s Death Rumour: Mischief-makers Carried Similar Fake Story In 2021 – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has debunked the death rumour of its national chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the London hospital.
In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi urged the general public to disregard it as it aims to malign the chairman and the commission.
He insisted that “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, December 11, 2024”.
According to Oyekanmi, “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, December 9, 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, December 11, 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, December 13, 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 on 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.”
