Rotimi Oyekanmi, former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has clarified that staff of the commission sang a farewell praise song for his principal and not a dirge.
Oyekanmi, who left office alongside Yakubu, dismissed a media report that misinterpreted the show of appreciation to the former chairman at the commission’s headquarters.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the former spokesman criticised the narrative by a section of the media, particularly referencing a report that described the visible display of appreciation by INEC staff as a “funeral song.”
He described the report as false and a deliberate piece of misinformation created by individuals with malicious intent posing as journalists.
Oyekanmi expressed disappointment that a news platform would report the complete opposite of an event despite clear evidence to the contrary.
“The visible show of love and respect displayed by the appreciative INEC staff at the commission’s headquarters yesterday as the departing former INEC Chairman, Yakubu, walked to his car is now being intentionally misinterpreted and misrepresented as a ‘funeral song,'” he said.
“This deliberate piece of disinformation can only be conjured by a set of haters masquerading as journalists at Sahara Reporters. But they have failed and will continue to fail.”
The former spokesman explained that contrary to the misleading report, the majority of INEC staff openly discussed Yakubu’s transformative policies that had, over the past 10 years, led to promotions for senior and junior staff, increased allowances and capacity development initiatives.
He noted that INEC staff members consistently demonstrated affection towards Yakubu at every opportunity throughout his tenure.
“Journalism is about facts, accuracy and truthfulness, not a vehicle to be misused by pseudo-journalists to embark on a campaign of calumny against individuals,” Oyekanmi stated.
“It is high time the management of Sahara Reporters cautioned persons using its platform to spread lies about individuals, institutions and events, which will be detrimental to the newspaper’s reputation in the long run.
“Prof. Yakubu’s place in history is assured, no matter the lies being spread by familiar forces.”
Yakubu stepped down as INEC Chairman on Tuesday and handed over to Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, as the acting Chairman, pending the appointment of a new chairman.
He was appointed INEC chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on 21st October 2015 and reappointed in December 2020.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Yakubu, whilst speaking during the handover ceremony, said that his decision to step down was to pave the way for the appointment of a new chairman.
Yakubu explained that his departure would also enable the person taking over to quickly settle into the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.
Whilst Agbamuche-Mbu, in her brief remarks, commended Yakubu for setting a high standard during his tenure, some staff members of the commission also sang a song to cheer him as he walked to his car after group photography with them.
Earlier on Monday, at an event organised by INEC to commemorate the 2025 Customer Service Week, the commission presented Yakubu with an “Excellence Service Delivery Award.”
