The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as “entirely baseless” a viral claim that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, operates an account on X or endorsed a partisan post.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on April 10, 2026, the Commission described the allegation as “a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny,” stressing that “the INEC Chairman does not own or [have] activity on X in his private or public capacity.”
INEC warned that the fabricated post is “a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period” and “a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.
The Commission also raised alarm over cybercriminals exploiting fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud Nigerians, noting that “several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past.”
It vowed to go after those behind the misinformation, stating it “will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers,” adding that efforts are underway “to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.”
INEC further warned that offenders would face prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act, emphasizing that “identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses.”
Urging the public to ignore the viral claim, the Commission said it would continue to communicate only through its verified channels, reiterating its commitment “to delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.”
