Mahmoud Yakubu Still INEC Chairman – Spokesman

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked social media reports that President Bola Tinubu has sacked its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu

The social media was engaging with a viral WhatsApp message indicating that Mahmood has been sacked and replaced with one Professor Bashiru Olamilekan.

With no attribution, the read message read thus; “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu”.

But in reacting to the message on enquiries from journalists, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, simply said; “Please, disregard. It is not true.”

Presidency Reacts
The Presidency also reacted to the widespread report claiming that President Tinubu has sacked Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman.

Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, described the news as false, saying; “The Nigerian public should disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.

“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or any other appropriate official source”.

Baring any unforeseen circumstances, Prof Mahmoud is expected to exit the system towards the end of the year as he is currently rounding off his second tenure in office.

The process of appointing a new INEC chairman involves the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services (DSS) for profiling.

After the security screening, the President thereafter takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review.

Based on the outcome, the said the name is thereafter sent to the Senate for screening and eventual confirmation.