The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as false claims circulating on social media alleging that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter).
In a statement issued on April 10, 2026, the commission described the allegation as a “malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny,” insisting that the chairman does not own or operate any personal account on the platform.
INEC said the claim was entirely baseless and fabricated, stressing that Amupitan has never engaged in partisan commentary or associated himself with any political interest in either his public or private capacity.
According to the commission, the purported X post is a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity and neutrality of its leadership at a time when it is focused on key electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.
The electoral body also raised concerns over the activities of cybercriminals who it said have been creating fake social media accounts in the chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. It noted that several such accounts had previously been identified and reported to security agencies.
INEC described the latest development as part of a continuing pattern of identity theft and misinformation aimed at exploiting the commission’s profile for illicit purposes.
The commission said it is working closely with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track down those responsible, warning that offenders would face prosecution.
It added that identity theft and the spread of fake or manipulated social media content constitute criminal offences under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, and vowed to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
INEC urged members of the public to disregard the false claims and rely only on its verified communication channels and official statements for information about its activities.
The statement reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections, noting that it would not be distracted by attempts to erode public trust.
The statement was signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman.