Oyekanmi Slams Sahara Reporters Over Yakubu Exit Report

‘They Lied Against Him’ – Oyekanmi Slams Sahara Reporters Over Yakubu Exit Report
He accuses Sahara Reporters of spreading misinformation about the event.
Oyekanmi says Yakubu’s legacy and reforms remain intact despite false reports.

Former Chief Press Secretary to the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Rotimi Oyekanmi, has dismissed claims that staff of the commission sang a “funeral song” during Yakubu’s exit ceremony on Tuesday.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Oyekanmi, who left office alongside his principal, described the reports as false and malicious, insisting that the song rendered by INEC staff was a show of love and respect, not a dirge.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the former spokesperson said, “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’.”

Oyekanmi specifically accused Sahara Reporters of spreading misinformation, alleging that the report was a calculated attempt to discredit Prof. Yakubu.

“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,” he said.

He noted that INEC staff had always expressed admiration for Yakubu throughout his decade-long tenure, particularly for policies that improved staff welfare and introduced reforms within the commission.

“Contrary to the misleading report, the majority of INEC staff openly talked about Yakubu’s transformative policies that had, over the last 10 years, led to senior and junior staff promotions, more allowances and capacity development initiatives,” Oyekanmi stated.

The former CPS condemned what he termed the misuse of journalism to promote falsehoods, warning that such practices harm the credibility of the profession and the media organisations involved.

“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,” he said. “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.”

Oyekanmi added that Yakubu’s record of service and reforms at INEC would remain indelible regardless of false reports.

“Prof. Yakubu’s place in history is assured, no matter the lies being spread by familiar forces,” he concluded.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu formally handed over the leadership of INEC on Tuesday to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, who will serve in acting capacity pending President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of a substantive successor.