The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was not responsible for a controversial post shared on social media.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, INEC explained that a forensic investigation showed that the chairman does not own or operate any social media account.
According to the Commission, the post on an X (formerly Twitter) account linked to Amupitan was fake. Investigators discovered that a reply allegedly made by him appeared 13 minutes before the original post, which is not possible on any digital platform.
INEC said it hired an independent cybersecurity expert to carry out a detailed investigation. The expert used data from X, internet archives, and other digital tools. The report confirmed that all posts linked to Amupitan were false and part of a planned effort to spread misinformation.
The investigation also showed that the X account in question was created in September 2022 but had no connection to the chairman’s known email address or phone number. Attempts to link the account to him through verification systems were unsuccessful.
It was also found that the account had no online history before April 2026, despite claims that it had existed earlier. After the issue gained attention, the account was reportedly renamed and marked as a parody account.
Additionally, at least seven fake accounts using Amupitan’s name and image were found across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This suggests a coordinated effort to impersonate him.
INEC dismissed claims that the chairman’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) or phone number were linked to the account, saying such claims are not valid proof.
The Commission warned Nigerians to be careful about sharing unverified information online, especially as technology and artificial intelligence can now be used to create false content.
INEC also advised media organisations to always verify information before publishing.
Finally, the Commission said the investigation report has been sent to law enforcement agencies to find and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes Act.
It reminded the public that all official updates from INEC come only through its verified channels.
