Rotimi Oyekanmi, former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has clarified that INEC staff sang a farewell praise song for his principal, not a dirge, as some reports suggested.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
Oyekanmi, who is leaving office alongside Yakubu, described media narratives that mischaracterised the farewell at the commission’s headquarters as false and deliberate disinformation.
He said the reports, which labelled the staff’s show of appreciation as a “funeral song,” were “conjured by a set of haters masquerading as journalists.” Oyekanmi stressed that the visible show of love and respect displayed by the INEC staff was misrepresented despite clear evidence to the contrary.
“The majority of INEC staff openly acknowledged Yakubu’s transformative policies over the past 10 years, which led to staff promotions, enhanced allowances, and capacity development initiatives,” he said.
Oyekanmi further condemned the distortion of events, noting: “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. Prof. Yakubu’s place in history is assured, no matter the lies being spread by familiar forces.”
Yakubu officially bowed out as INEC Chairman on Tuesday, handing over to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, as acting Chairman pending the appointment of a new chairman.
Appointed INEC Chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, and reappointed in December 2020, Yakubu explained that stepping down would allow his successor to settle quickly into the role and ensure continuity in electoral activities.
During the handover, Agbamuche-Mbu commended Yakubu for his exemplary record. Staff members also sang a song to cheer him as he walked to his car after a group photograph.
Earlier, at an event organised to commemorate the 2025 Customer Service Week, the commission presented Yakubu with an “Excellence Service Delivery Award.”
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