INEC Denies Viral Claim That Chairman Mahmood Yakubu Has Been Sacked

INEC Denies Viral Claim That Chairman Mahmood Yakubu Has Been Sacked

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted widespread social media claims that its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been removed from office by President Bola Tinubu.

A viral WhatsApp message falsely alleged that Yakubu had been replaced by Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan. However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the report, stating plainly, “Please, disregard. It is not true,” during a chat with Vanguard.

Prof. Yakubu is currently serving out his second term as INEC Chairman, which is expected to conclude toward the end of 2025.

Clarifying the official process for appointing a new INEC chairman, Oyekanmi noted that the President must first nominate a candidate, who then undergoes profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS), followed by an advisory review by the National Council of State. The final stage involves Senate screening and confirmation.