THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as false and malicious claims circulating on social media alleging that its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, operates an account on X (formerly Twitter) and had endorsed a partisan post.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by by Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the Commission described the allegation as a coordinated campaign of calumny aimed at misleading the public and damaging the credibility of its leadership.
INEC stated categorically that the claim is entirely baseless and a complete fabrication, stressing that the Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X.
“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,” the statement read.
The Commission further described the viral post as a desperate attempt to undermine the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman, particularly at a time when INEC is focused on key electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming elections.
According to the statement, the misinformation is a needless distraction designed to erode public confidence in the electoral body.
INEC also raised concerns about the activities of cybercriminals who have been creating fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
The Commission disclosed that several such fraudulent accounts had previously been identified and reported to security agencies, describing the latest incident as part of a continuing pattern of criminal exploitation.
Beyond the misinformation campaign, INEC warned that it would not tolerate attempts to tarnish the reputation of its leadership through digital impersonation and false narratives.
It revealed that it is working closely with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify those responsible for the identity theft and dissemination of false information.
The Commission stressed that those behind the fake accounts and fabricated posts would face legal consequences, noting that identity theft and the spread of forged or manipulated social media content are criminal offences under the Cybercrimes Act.
“Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law,” the statement added.
INEC urged members of the public to disregard the false claims in their entirety and to rely only on official and verified communication channels for information regarding the Commission and its leadership.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional mandate, assuring Nigerians that it remains focused on delivering free, fair, and credible elections.