The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed circulating social media reports claiming that its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was sacked by President Bola Tinubu. A viral WhatsApp message had falsely stated that Prof. Yakubu was replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan.
In a response to Vanguard, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, refuted the claims, saying, “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
Prof. Yakubu, who is nearing the end of his second tenure, is set to conclude his term later this year. According to the process for appointing a new INEC Chairman, the President nominates a candidate, whose details are then forwarded to the Department of State Services (DSS) for profiling. After the screening, the President presents the nominee to the National Council of State for review. If approved, the name is forwarded to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding a replacement for Prof. Yakubu.
