The Electoral Commission Dismisses Claims of Chairman's Purported X Account, Cautions Against Spread of Misleading Information

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has categorically denied claims circulating on social media that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the allegations as entirely unfounded.

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A statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, described the claims as a total fabrication, stressing that the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary.

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According to the statement, the contrived post was a desperate attempt to undermine the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman, particularly at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.

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INEC warned that this incident is not an isolated case, as cybercriminals have previously created fake accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, with several such accounts having been identified and reported to security agencies in the past.

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The Commission emphasized that the latest fabrication is a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains, and vowed to pursue legal action against those behind the misinformation.

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INEC stated that it will work closely with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation, and will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law.

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The Commission stressed that identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act, and those responsible will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

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INEC urged Nigerians to disregard the falsehood, emphasizing that official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities will only be disseminated through verified institutional channels and formal press statements.

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The Commission concluded by reaffirming its commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians, remaining undeterred and fully committed to its mandate despite the attempts to undermine its integrity.