KEY POINTS

• INEC denies rumours of Chairman Mahmood Yakubu’s dismissal, clarifying that he has not been replaced by Professor Bashiru Olamilekan.

• The rumour, spread via WhatsApp, lacked credible sources and was swiftly debunked by INEC’s Chief Press Secretary.

• Yakubu, serving his second term, is expected to complete his tenure by the end of 2025, and no official steps have been taken toward replacing him.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has strongly dismissed circulating rumours that its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, was removed from office by President Bola Tinubu.

The unfounded reports, which rapidly spread through WhatsApp groups, alleged that Yakubu was replaced with Professor Bashiru Olamilekan.

The viral message, lacking any official attribution, claimed that the replacement was a direct result of President Tinubu’s actions.

The rumour quickly gained traction online, sparking public confusion and widespread speculation about changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral body.

However, in a clear response to the claims, the Chief Press Secretary to Professor Yakubu, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, instructed the public to disregard the message entirely. “Please, disregard these rumours,” Oyekanmi said in a statement to SaharaReporters.

Clarification from INEC

Professor Yakubu, who is currently serving his second term as INEC Chairman, is expected to complete his tenure by the end of 2025. In response to the rumour, INEC has reiterated that there have been no changes to his position.

The process of appointing an INEC Chairman in Nigeria is constitutional and involves several important steps. First, the President nominates a candidate for the role. The nominee’s credentials are then vetted by the Department of State Services (DSS), which conducts a thorough background check.

Following this, the National Council of State reviews the candidate’s profile, offering advisory input before the Senate conducts a final screening and confirmation. As such, any changes in the leadership of INEC would require a series of formal steps and procedures, none of which have been initiated in this case.

The rumour was first circulated on WhatsApp, a platform notorious for the rapid spread of both accurate and false information.

Although the message was not officially backed by any source, the absence of reliable information fueled confusion among the public, leading to widespread discussions on social media.

Eyewitnesses and those following the situation quickly pointed out the absence of any official announcements from the presidency or INEC, which would have typically followed such a significant decision. Experts in Nigerian politics also weighed in, noting that the claims were not consistent with the usual processes that accompany changes in leadership at institutions like INEC.

Despite the confusion, both the President’s office and INEC have refrained from making further comments on the matter, opting instead to focus on their ongoing responsibilities. “At this time, we encourage Nigerians to trust the official communications from INEC and not give credence to unverified social media posts,” a senior INEC official stated.