The Presidency has denied rumors circulating on social media that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, has been sacked and replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan. The rumors, sparked by a viral WhatsApp message, were dismissed as “fake news” by O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.

In a statement, Senior Special Adviser O’tega Ogra urged the public to disregard the false reports. “Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman,” Ogra said. “Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or any other official source.” Ogra emphasized that official announcements regarding changes would come from authorized sources, such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Yakubu is nearing the end of his second tenure, expected to conclude by the end of the year. This development comes amid the circulation of false information on social media, which has been a recurring issue. In December, INEC debunked rumors of Yakubu’s death, describing it as “fake news”.