The Independent National Electoral Commission has strongly denied viral allegations claiming that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, operates a personal account on X (formerly Twitter) or has engaged in partisan online activity.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission described the allegation as “entirely baseless” and “a total fabrication,” insisting it was part of a coordinated attempt to mislead the public.
INEC stated that the Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary in either private or official capacity. It further clarified that the claim about a past endorsement of a political post was false and intended to damage the credibility of the electoral body.
According to the Commission, the circulation of such claims represents a broader effort to undermine public trust in its leadership, especially at a time when it is focused on electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming elections.
The statement also highlighted concerns about impersonation and cyber fraud, noting that criminals have previously created fake accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting individuals. INEC said it is working with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to identify those behind the latest misinformation.
It warned that identity theft and the spread of fabricated online content violate Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act and that those responsible would face prosecution.
INEC urged Nigerians to disregard the claims and rely only on verified official communication channels for accurate information, reaffirming its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections