The Nigerian Presidency has debunked a widely circulated rumour alleging that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been relieved of his duties.
A viral WhatsApp broadcast had falsely claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had removed Professor Yakubu and appointed Professor Bashir Olamilekan as his replacement.
The message, which offered no credible source or official confirmation, quickly spread across social media platforms.
In response, the Presidency dismissed the report as fake news.
O’tega Ogra, President Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Digital and New Media, issued a statement clarifying that no such action had been taken.
He urged the public to disregard the claim, emphasizing that any legitimate updates regarding the INEC Chairman would be made through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or other officially recognized communication channels.