The Presidency has firmly denied swirling reports that President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Early Monday, social media platforms erupted with claims that Yakubu had been removed and replaced by a certain Professor Bashiru Olamilekan, citing what was described as a “sweeping change” within the leadership of the nation’s electoral body.
In response, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, took to X (formerly Twitter) to debunk the viral report, describing it as false and misleading.
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman,” Ogra wrote in his statement, urging Nigerians to rely only on official government channels for verified information.
He added that any genuine announcement regarding the INEC Chairman would come directly from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or through other formal means.
The false report stirred reactions across political circles and civil society groups, prompting concerns about the stability of Nigeria’s electoral framework. However, no federal agency or the Presidency has issued any statement to corroborate the claim, reinforcing its classification as misinformation.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of fake news in the digital age, especially concerning sensitive political developments.
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