The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, presided over the commission’s weekly meeting on Thursday, contrary to social media reports claiming he had proceeded on terminal leave.

Naijaonpoint reports that INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement after the meeting in Abuja.

Olumekun said the meeting considered several electoral matters, including preparations for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, the Federal Capital Territory area council polls, and party primaries for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

He further stated that the commission also approved the promotion of 471 junior staff of the commission on the recommendation of its Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee.

Olumekun said, “A total of 515 staff were shortlisted for the exercise, out of which 214 met the requirements for promotion to GL07, 134 to GL06, 106 to GL05, and 17 to GL04.

“The promotion of junior staff concludes the first phase of the exercise. Next is the promotion of senior staff, which has also commenced in earnest. Staff promotion is a routine exercise. The commission remains committed to regular merit-based promotion and the welfare of staff.”

Olumekun dismissed online reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had directed Yakubu to proceed on terminal leave.

He stressed that, unlike some chief executives, the INEC chairman is not bound by the civil service rule of proceeding on a three-month pre-retirement leave.

Yakubu’s second five-year tenure as INEC chairman is due to expire on December 8, 2025. His predecessor, Prof. Attahiru Jega, also stayed in office until his last day.