THE Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adedayo Oketola, has disclosed that a purported X (formerly Twitter) account linked to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, is fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, Oketola revealed that a comprehensive, multi-layered forensic investigation conducted by independent cybersecurity experts had conclusively established that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.
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He explained that the Commission, in its commitment to uncovering the truth, engaged an independent forensic cybersecurity expert who carried out a detailed digital investigation using X platform data, internet archive records, open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, identity forensics, and cross-platform analysis.
According to Oketola, all posts, replies, and screenshots linking Prof Amupitan to the handle @joashamupitan are fraudulent, forensically unverifiable, and technically impossible.
The controversy, he noted, began on April 10, 2026, when viral social media posts alleged that the Chairman made a partisan comment — “Victory is sure” — in response to another user, supported by screenshots and purported digital records.
However, the CPS stated that the forensic investigation uncovered clear evidence of fabrication and impersonation, outlining several key findings.
The investigation found no digital linkage between the disputed X account and Prof Amupitan’s verified email addresses or phone numbers, as multiple recovery and verification attempts failed to establish any connection.
It also dismissed claims linking the account to BVN and OPay data, explaining that such information can only confirm identity and does not prove ownership or control of a social media account, making those claims logically flawed.
Further findings revealed timestamp manipulation, as the alleged reply “Victory is sure” was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet it purportedly responded to—an occurrence described as technically impossible and clear proof of fabrication.
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The report also showed no historical record of the account on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine prior to April 2026, while live checks confirmed that the alleged reply does not exist and has never existed on the X platform.
In addition, investigators observed that on the same day the screenshots went viral, the account was renamed @sundayvibe00, switched to private mode, and labelled a “parody account,” suggesting deliberate impersonation and attempted damage control.
The probe further uncovered a coordinated multi-platform impersonation effort, identifying at least seven fake accounts across Facebook and Instagram using the Chairman’s identity.
“The forensic evidence is comprehensive, multi-sourced, and unambiguous. The posts attributed to Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan on X are fabricated. The account is a clear case of impersonation,” Oketola stated.
Quoting one of the independent investigators, he described the incident as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” warning that advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to create misleading and deceptive content.
He urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information, stressing that virality does not equate to authenticity, and called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy over speed in their reporting.
Oketola disclosed that the independent forensic report has been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for necessary action. He also called on security agencies to investigate the origin of the fake account and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
He emphasised that media organisations, in particular, have a responsibility to apply strict forensic verification standards to social media content before publication, especially when such material involves public officials or could undermine public trust and institutional credibility.
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Reiterating the Commission’s communication protocol, Oketola stated that all official INEC communications are disseminated exclusively through its verified platforms, including its official website, verified X account (@inecnigeria), official Facebook page, online news portal, formal press statements from its Abuja headquarters, and official media briefings.
He added that any account claiming to represent the INEC Chairman in a personal capacity should be treated as fraudulent unless it is formally verified by the Commission.
