News Editor
By David Odama
The presidency has refuted claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the replacement of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and new Media,.O’tega Ogra, stated this while addressing the matter on Monday via a post on his 𝕏 handle, dismissing the reports as false.
“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 official source.”
The clarification follows earlier reports suggesting that President Tinubu was considering replacing Professor Yakubu, whose tenure is scheduled to end in November 2025.
According to reports,, some influential political figures—including a former governor from Nigeria’s South-South region who served during the 1999 political era—are lobbying for a preferred candidate believed to be more favorable to their interests.
Though there has been no official move or endorsement from President Tinubu regarding a replacement, the reported involvement of individuals both inside and outside the Presidential Villa has raised concerns among political observers.
There are fears that appointing a figure perceived as loyal to certain interests could potentially undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
