Report of INEC chairman’s dismissal is false – Presidency

The Presidency has categorically dismissed reports alleging that the Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

These claims emerged early on Monday and suggested that Yakubu had been succeeded by Professor Bashiru Olamilekan in what was characterized as a significant shake-up within the electoral body’s leadership.

In a clarification, O’tega Ogra, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, announced that the allegations are unfounded and called for the public to disregard the false information. “Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman,” Ogra stated via a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He further advised that any official announcements regarding such matters would be released through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or other credible sources. “Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or any other official source,” he added.

The viral nature of these claims has sparked confusion across various social media platforms, but they have been thoroughly discredited, with no official validation from the Presidency or federal authorities.

Source: PUNCH