The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is currently overseeing the commission’s weekly management meeting, hours after rumors of his dismissal began circulating on social media.
A viral WhatsApp message on Monday afternoon claimed that President Bola Tinubu had removed Yakubu and replaced him with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan. The unverified message, which lacked attribution, quickly spread, raising concerns among the public.
In response, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, promptly refuted the claims. Speaking to Vanguard, he said, “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
Yakubu, who is nearing the end of his second tenure, is expected to conclude his term later this year.
INEC took to its official Twitter account on Tuesday to confirm the ongoing management meeting. The tweet read: “The Independent National Electoral Commission’s weekly meeting began earlier today at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, with the Hon. Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, presiding.”
The tweet further listed the National Commissioners attending the meeting, including Mr. Sam Olumekun mni, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, and Dr. Baba Bila. Other participants included Malam Mohammed Haruna, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Prof. Sani Adam (SAN), and the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Orianran-Anthony.
The meeting is expected to result in important decisions concerning the commission’s operations.
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