Presidency Slams Viral Claims of INEC Chairman’s Sack as Fake News, Blames Political Mischief-Makers

The Presidency has firmly dismissed viral reports alleging that President Bola Tinubu sacked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, calling the story a calculated piece of disinformation meant to stir public unrest.

According to the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, the claims — which flooded social media early Monday — are “entirely false” and should be disregarded by the public. The report, which falsely claimed that Prof. Yakubu was replaced by one Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan in a so-called “sweeping reform,” triggered widespread speculation and political anxiety.

“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman,” Ogra stated via X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that no such move had been made and warning citizens to be wary of politically motivated misinformation.

Ogra clarified that any legitimate change of such magnitude would only be communicated through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or other credible government channels.

Analysts say the false report may have been an intentional attempt to sow distrust in the electoral system, amid rising political tensions across the country.