WorldStage– The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the allegation as false, malicious and part of a coordinated attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral body.
In a statement issued Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission stated unequivocally that Amupitan does not operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary or political activity in any capacity.
INEC said the purported post was “a total fabrication” and “a figment of the imagination of its purveyors,” stressing that the Chairman has maintained strict neutrality in both his public and private conduct.
The Commission warned that the circulation of the fake content is a deliberate effort to erode public trust at a critical time when it is intensifying electoral reforms and preparations for forthcoming polls.
Raising further concerns, INEC disclosed that cybercriminals have increasingly deployed fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, noting that several such accounts had previously been identified and reported to security agencies.
Describing the latest claim as part of an ongoing pattern of digital impersonation and fraud, the Commission said it is working closely with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track those behind the misinformation.
INEC stressed that perpetrators would face legal consequences, citing identity theft and the spread of forged or manipulated social media content as offences under the Cybercrimes Act.The Commission urged the public to disregard the claims and rely solely on its verified communication channels for official information, reaffirming its commitment to delivering free, fair and credible elections.
