The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and institutional integrity, declaring that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, does not operate any personal account on the social media platform X, and has no connection whatsoever to a viral post attributed to him.
The Commission’s clarification follows the circulation of a tweet allegedly linked to the INEC Chairman, in which he was purported to have expressed confidence in the electoral victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The controversial post, dated March 18, 2023, surfaced as a response to a tweet by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, who had claimed to have influenced voting outcomes in an “Igbo-dominated community” in Lagos.
The post, which bore the Chairman’s name, quickly gained traction online, drawing widespread reactions and raising concerns among Nigerians about the impartiality of the electoral body.
However, INEC has firmly dismissed the claim, describing it as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the Commission.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission described the allegation as “entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.”
According to the statement, Prof. Amupitan has never owned or operated any personal account on X or any other social media platform, and has consistently maintained a non-partisan posture in both his official and private engagements.
“The INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity,” the statement read.
INEC further characterized the viral post as a calculated act of misinformation aimed at discrediting the leadership of the Commission at a critical period when it is focused on implementing key electoral reforms and preparing for future polls.
Reassuring the public, the Commission stated that it remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing that its leadership is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
In a decisive move to curb the spread of false information, INEC disclosed that it is working closely with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to trace the origin of the fake post. The Commission warned that those responsible for the act would face prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
“Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality,” the statement added.
The Commission also urged Nigerians to disregard the viral content and rely only on verified and official communication channels for accurate information about its activities.
