The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned a social media account on X purportedly linked to its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, describing it as fake and part of a malicious campaign to tarnish the Commission’s leadership.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission said Prof. Amupitan does not operate or manage any personal account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The clarification followed the circulation of a post from a handle allegedly bearing the Chairman’s name, which suggested that he had endorsed a partisan comment on the platform. INEC dismissed the claim as entirely fabricated.
“The allegation is completely unfounded, a total fabrication, and a mere figment of the imagination of those spreading it,” the statement read.
According to the Commission, the INEC Chairman has never engaged in partisan commentary or aligned himself with any political interest, either in his public capacity or private life. It emphasized that he does not maintain any personal presence on X or other social media platforms.
READ ALSO: INEC shelves controversial voter revalidation exercise until after 2027 elections
INEC described the viral post as a desperate attempt to undermine the integrity and impartiality of its leadership at a time when the Commission is focused on electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming elections.
The Commission further revealed that cybercriminals have repeatedly created fraudulent social media accounts using the Chairman’s name to mislead members of the public. It noted that several such accounts had previously been identified and reported to security agencies.
“This latest fabrication is simply a continuation of a criminal trend aimed at exploiting the Commission’s reputation for unlawful purposes,” the statement added.
INEC vowed not to remain passive in the face of what it termed identity theft and misinformation targeted at its leadership. It disclosed that it is working closely with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track down those responsible for the fake account and the dissemination of false information.
“We are collaborating closely with relevant security agencies to identify and bring to justice the individuals or groups behind this smear campaign,” the Commission stated.
The electoral body warned that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that the digital space should not be seen as a safe haven for unlawful conduct.
INEC also urged the public to disregard the purported X account and any posts emanating from it, assuring Nigerians that all official communications regarding the Chairman’s engagements would continue to be disseminated solely through the Commission’s verified institutional platforms and formal press releases.