INEC Debunks Claims That Chairman Mahmood Yakubu Has Been Sacked
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed recent reports circulating on social media that its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been dismissed by President Bola Tinubu. The viral message, which spread primarily via WhatsApp, suggested that Yakubu was replaced by Professor Bashiru Olamilekan, allegedly under the directive of President Tinubu.
The message that ignited confusion across various platforms claimed that “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” but there was no attribution to any official source or credible institution. The message rapidly gained traction among WhatsApp groups, leading many to believe that a major political shift had occurred regarding the leadership of INEC.
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The unsubstantiated claim quickly prompted a flurry of inquiries from the public and media outlets. Many were left wondering if a formal announcement had been made or if a change in leadership was indeed imminent. The social media speculation took on added weight due to the ongoing political discourse in the country and the ongoing preparations for upcoming electoral processes.
However, in response to these claims, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) swiftly issued a statement denying the reports. The official rebuttal from the Commission’s spokesperson confirmed that no such change had occurred, urging the public to disregard the rumors.
In a brief statement, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the INEC Chairman, directly refuted the claims. In an exclusive chat with Vanguard, Oyekanmi said, “Please, disregard. It is not true.” This clarification aimed to quell any further confusion surrounding the rumors.
Despite the clarity from INEC’s spokesperson, the virality of the message raised important questions about the spread of misinformation and the role social media plays in shaping public perceptions of governance.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has served as the Chairman of INEC since November 2015, and under his leadership, the Commission oversaw several significant elections, including the contentious 2019 and 2023 general elections. Yakubu is currently nearing the end of his second term, which is set to conclude toward the end of 2025. His tenure has been a subject of both praise and criticism, particularly in light of the 2023 general elections, where his leadership faced scrutiny from various quarters for issues such as delays in result announcements and logistical challenges during the polls.
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Yakubu’s term is set to end in 2025, and the process for selecting his successor is already laid out in Nigerian law. As per the constitutional framework governing the appointment of the INEC Chairman, the President must nominate a candidate for the position. This candidate is then subjected to a screening process, which includes profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS), followed by an advisory review from the National Council of State. Finally, the nominated individual is sent to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation. This process ensures a transparent and thorough selection mechanism for the key leadership position in the electoral body.
The process of appointing a new INEC Chairman, once Yakubu’s second tenure comes to a close, is a detailed and systematic procedure designed to ensure that the selection of the electoral body’s head is both fair and in line with constitutional protocols.
- Nomination by the President: The process begins when the President nominates a candidate for the position of INEC Chairman. The nominee could be someone who is perceived to have the requisite qualifications, independence, and experience to lead Nigeria’s election management body.
- Screening by the DSS: After the President nominates a candidate, their credentials and background undergo profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS). This screening is intended to assess the nominee’s suitability for the role, ensuring that they are not involved in any activities that could compromise their impartiality and integrity.
- Review by the National Council of State: Following the DSS review, the candidate’s name is then submitted to the National Council of State for an advisory review. The Council consists of key political figures, including the President, Vice President, state governors, and other notable officials. While the review by the Council is advisory in nature, it plays a critical role in endorsing the nomination.
- Senate Confirmation: Once the candidate has received the advisory approval of the National Council of State, their nomination is sent to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation. The Senate holds hearings, during which they may ask questions or raise concerns about the nominee’s qualifications and track record. If the Senate approves the nomination, the individual is officially confirmed as the new INEC Chairman.
The appointment process ensures that the INEC Chairman is selected with a high level of scrutiny, transparency, and legal compliance. This also means that any significant changes to the leadership of INEC, including the appointment of a new Chairman, are carried out through a well-defined and structured process, and not through abrupt, unverified social media reports.
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The Chairman of INEC plays an integral role in overseeing the electoral processes in Nigeria. Given the country’s complex political landscape and its history of election-related disputes, the leadership of INEC is pivotal in maintaining the credibility and legitimacy of the nation’s elections. The Chairman ensures that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, while also fostering public trust in the process.
Under Prof. Yakubu’s leadership, INEC has made strides in improving electoral transparency, such as introducing the use of technology to enhance the credibility of elections. For example, the 2023 general elections saw the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which was meant to improve voter authentication and reduce the potential for electoral fraud.
Despite the challenges faced during his tenure, including criticism over logistics and delays in some results announcements, Yakubu’s leadership has been key to shaping Nigeria’s electoral landscape. The independence of the INEC Chairman, especially when there is a change in political leadership at the national level, is crucial for upholding the integrity of the electoral system.
The false report regarding Yakubu’s sacking highlights a significant issue that has become more prevalent in Nigeria – the spread of misinformation via social media. With the rise of platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter (now X), and Facebook, news can travel rapidly, but so can falsehoods. In a politically charged environment like Nigeria, where election results are often contested and political tension runs high, rumors and fake news can cause unnecessary panic, confusion, and distrust among the public.
This incident demonstrates the potential dangers of relying on unverified sources of information, especially when it concerns public figures and sensitive political developments. In recent years, social media has become a powerful tool for both information dissemination and misinformation, with far-reaching implications for governance, public opinion, and national stability. As the nation prepares for the end of Prof. Yakubu’s tenure and the selection of a new INEC Chairman, the need for accurate reporting and fact-checking becomes even more vital.
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In light of this incident, it is important for media outlets, journalists, and social media influencers to emphasize the importance of responsible reporting and fact-checking. When news breaks, especially when it concerns high-profile figures like the Chairman of INEC, it is crucial that the public receives accurate and verified information from reliable sources. In the age of digital media, where rumors can spread faster than the truth, the onus is on both traditional and social media to uphold ethical standards of journalism and serve the public with integrity.
Fact-checking organizations and media professionals must work together to swiftly debunk false reports and provide clarity to the public. This is especially critical in the case of political news, where rumors and misinformation can have significant consequences, from undermining public trust in institutions to inciting unnecessary tensions.
The viral message claiming that INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had been sacked was entirely false, and INEC has made it clear that there is no truth to the reports. The current INEC Chairman is expected to conclude his second term at the end of 2025, and the process for appointing a new Chairman will follow the established legal protocols. The spread of misinformation regarding political matters highlights the importance of responsible media practices and the need for accurate reporting, particularly during election periods. As Nigeria moves forward, it is essential that the public remains vigilant in verifying the news they consume and that media outlets continue to prioritize truth and transparency in their coverage.
