By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, once endorsed a partisan post on the social media platform X (Twitter), describing the allegation as malicious, fabricated, and part of a coordinated campaign to undermine the credibility of the electoral body.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission clarified that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary or political advocacy on any social media platform.
The statement stressed that the viral claim suggesting the Chairman once endorsed a politically charged post is entirely false and a “figment of the imagination of its purveyors,” noting that it represents a deliberate attempt to smear the reputation and neutrality of the electoral umpire.
According to the Commission, the misleading post emerged at a sensitive period when INEC is concentrating on critical electoral reforms and preparations for forthcoming elections across the country. It described the allegation as a needless distraction intended to erode public confidence in the Commission’s leadership and the integrity of the electoral process.
INEC also disclosed that the latest misinformation forms part of a broader pattern of cyber fraud involving impersonation of the Chairman. The Commission revealed that cybercriminals have previously created fake social media accounts bearing the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
The statement noted that several of such fraudulent accounts had already been identified and reported to relevant security agencies, adding that the current incident appears to be a continuation of the same criminal scheme aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit purposes.
INEC warned that it would not stand by while digital imposters attempt to tarnish the reputation of its leadership. The Commission said it is currently working closely with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to trace and identify those responsible for the impersonation and dissemination of false information.
It further warned that individuals behind the identity theft and fabricated social media content would face legal consequences under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
The Commission emphasized that identity theft and the creation or circulation of forged social media interactions constitute criminal offences under the Cybercrimes Act, adding that those responsible would be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who might seek to exploit the digital space for criminal activity.
INEC therefore urged Nigerians to disregard the false claim in its entirety and rely only on information released through the Commission’s verified institutional channels and official press statements.
The Commission reaffirmed that it remains focused on its constitutional mandate of delivering free, fair and credible elections, assuring Nigerians that its leadership would not be distracted by misinformation campaigns.
