The Presidency has firmly denied widespread social media rumours claiming that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been dismissed from office.
In a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to President Bola Tinubu, urged Nigerians to disregard the reports, describing them as fake news with no basis in fact. He stated that any legitimate announcement regarding the INEC Chairman would come from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or another authorised government source.
Professor Yakubu, who was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2015 and reappointed in 2020, has overseen the conduct of both the 2019 and 2023 general elections. His tenure has been marked by both praise and criticism, with some political actors calling for his resignation in the wake of perceived irregularities during the last election cycle.
The role of the INEC Chairman is critical to Nigeria’s democracy, as the office is responsible for organising and supervising national elections. Given the sensitive nature of electoral governance, unverified claims about the chairman’s removal have the potential to incite political uncertainty and diminish public trust in the electoral system. Analysts warn that such misinformation, especially ahead of upcoming off-cycle elections like the gubernatorial poll in Anambra State, could have destabilising effects.
The swift rebuttal from the presidency appears aimed at calming tensions and curbing speculation that may arise from unsubstantiated online narratives. It also reinforces the importance of relying solely on official communication channels for updates on national matters.
Despite the online frenzy over the weekend, there has been no formal statement from the Presidency or any relevant agency confirming any changes in INEC leadership. As stipulated by law, the removal of the INEC Chairman can only occur through a constitutionally defined process involving a presidential directive backed by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
Professor Yakubu is currently serving his second five-year term, and there is no indication at this time of any deviation from that mandate.
