By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a press release, debunking a fake news story circulating on social media claiming that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has passed away at a London hospital.
According to the press release from Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, INEC, the story first emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024, and INEC is urging the public to disregard the rumor. Prof. Yakubu is confirmed to be alive and well, with no record of him traveling to London in the last two years.
To further verify his whereabouts, according to the went on, Prof. Yakubu 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, December 12, 2024. Both events were widely covered on television and reported in major newspapers.
He however admitted that this isn’t the first time a similar fake story has been circulated. In 2021, a similar rumor emerged, and now, three years later, the same false information is being spread again, even as he warned those who indulge in such practice, as well as those who spread it, should be mindful of its effect not only on the individual but also 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.
The release therefore says the statement emphasizes the importance of being responsible when sharing information to avoid causing harm to individuals and society as a whole, adding that the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with media professionals to combat fake news is also reiterated.
