The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is alive and in good health, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi.

In a statement released on Saturday, Oyekanmi urged the public to disregard fake news circulating on social media claiming Yakubu’s death in a London hospital.

“Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated by a section of social media, claiming the purported death of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a London hospital. The story first appeared on Monday, 9th December 2024.

“We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour. Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale and hearty. In fact, he has not travelled to London in the last two years,” Oyekanmi clarified.

He highlighted that the INEC chairman participated in key events, including an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on 11th December and a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on 12th December. Both events were widely reported in the media on Friday, 13th December 2024.

Oyekanmi also reminded the public of similar false claims about Yakubu’s health that circulated in 2021, accusing mischief-makers of recycling the same rumour three years later.

He further urged those spreading fake news to consider its potential harm, not only to individuals but also to society. “The Commission will continue to collaborate with genuine media professionals to combat the scourge of fake news and the dangers it poses to society,” Oyekanmi stated.