The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has denied allegations linking him to a partisan post on X, describing the claim as false and misleading.
In a press statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission dismissed a viral social media post suggesting that the INEC chairman had previously endorsed a political position online.
The statement stressed that the chairman does not operate any account on the platform.
“INEC CHAIRMAN HAS NO ACCOUNT ON X, DISREGARD PARTISAN FABRICATIONS”
“The attention of the Office of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been drawn to a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny circulating on social media. The false claim alleges that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has, in the past, endorsed a partisan post on the platform X (formerly Twitter).”
“The Commission wishes to state categorically that this allegation is entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors. For the avoidance of doubt, 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.”
INEC described the circulating post as a deliberate attempt to damage the credibility of its leadership at a critical time, noting that the Commission is currently focused on electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.
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“This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.”
The Commission also raised concerns about the activities of cybercriminals using fake social media accounts in the chairman’s name to defraud Nigerians, stating that several such accounts have already been reported to security agencies.
“Beyond this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that cybercriminals have been on the prowl, utilising fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. We wish to place it on record that several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past. This latest fabrication is merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.”
INEC assured the public that it is working with security agencies to identify those responsible for the alleged misinformation and identity theft, warning that offenders would face legal consequences under the Cybercrimes Act.
“The Commission will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers. We wish to notify the public that we are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.”
“Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law. 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 Commission urged Nigerians to ignore the viral claim and rely only on its verified channels for official information.
“The general public is hereby urged to disregard this falsehood in its entirety. We will continue to disseminate official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities only through our verified institutional channels and formal press statements.”
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible elections across Nigeria.
“The Commission remains undeterred and fully committed to its mandate of delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.”
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