The chairperson of Nigeria’s electoral body has announced a tenure extension for the chairpersons and councillors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). That’s according to a message circulating on Facebook.
Elections in Nigeria are run by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), headed by Mahmood Yakubu.
The message reads: “Tenure elongation for FCT Area councils Chairmen and councillors to be affirms. According to the Chairman of Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu said there is no provisions for FCT Area council elections 2025.”
It adds: “4-year tenure will mean that election will be held every 4 years instead of 3 years which mean less money will be spend on elections.. Congratulations to FCT Area council Current Chairmen and councillors … ”
The claim has also been posted here, here, here and here.
But did Inec’s chairperson make such an announcement? We checked.
‘Fake news’
An online search found no reports of such an announcement from reputable news outlets. Such changes would have made headlines if they were true.
We also looked through Inec’s website and official X handle and found no mention of the announcement.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Inec’s chief press secretary, urged the public to disregard the claim, telling Africa Check: “It’s fake news.”
Nigeria’s electoral body did not announce an extension of terms for chairpersons and councillors in the FCT.
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