Mahmood Yakubu remains INEC chairman, presidency clarifies

The presidency has refuted claims of a shake-up in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A tweet on Monday by Daniel Bwala, special adviser to the president on policy communication, said there is no truth to the rumours that Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, has been removed from office.

“The story trending across media platforms to the effect that Mr President @officialABAT has either sacked the INEC chairman or has replaced the INEC chairman is not true and should be discountenanced,” Bwala wrote.

“Decisions and or official acts of Mr President are communicated through official channels and not the rumour mill.”

Similarly, O’tega Ogra, senior special adviser to the president on digital and new media, noted that any official announcement regarding a change in the electoral body’s leadership would be made through proper government channels.

“The Nigerian public should disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC chairman,” he wrote.

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

The clarification comes amid heightened social media speculation on changes at the electoral commission.