“Fake X Account Scandal: Independent National Electoral Commission Cries Sabotage as Chairman Dragged Into Partisan Storm”
By Passman Akpos
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly denied claims that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, maintains or operates a personal account on X (formerly Twitter), describing circulating posts attributed to him as “malicious fabrications.”
In a strongly worded press statement issued on April 10, 2026, INEC dismissed allegations suggesting that the Chairman had endorsed a partisan post online. The Commission labeled the claim as “entirely baseless” and a calculated attempt to tarnish the neutrality and integrity of its leadership.
According to the statement, Prof. Amupitan has never engaged in partisan commentary or aligned himself with any political interest, either publicly or privately. INEC stressed that the Chairman does not own or operate any account on the social media platform X, urging Nigerians to disregard any such claims.
The Commission further raised alarm over what it described as a growing pattern of cybercriminal activity involving fake social media accounts impersonating the Chairman. It disclosed that several fraudulent profiles had previously been identified and reported to security agencies, warning that the latest incident is part of a broader scheme to exploit INEC’s image for illicit purposes.
“This contrived post is a desperate attempt to undermine public trust in the electoral umpire at a critical time,” the statement read, noting that the Commission is currently focused on key electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.
INEC assured the public that it is working closely with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track down those responsible for the misinformation campaign. It emphasized that identity theft and the spread of false or manipulated digital content are criminal offences under Nigerian law and vowed that perpetrators would face prosecution.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and credible elections, the Commission urged Nigerians to rely only on its verified communication channels for accurate information regarding its activities.
The statement was signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, in Abuja.
