ABUJA, Nigeria, 11 April 2026 (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter).
In a statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, the Commission described the allegation as “baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.” It stressed that Prof. Amupitan does not own or operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary in either his private or public capacity.
INEC said the contrived post was a desperate attempt to undermine the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a time when the Commission is focused on electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. The Commission added that the fabrication was a distraction designed to erode public trust in the electoral umpire.
Beyond partisan mischief, INEC warned that cybercriminals have been exploiting fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. Several fraudulent accounts have previously been identified and reported to security agencies. The Commission said it is working with cyber‑intelligence units to track and prosecute those behind the latest identity theft and misinformation campaign.
INEC emphasised that identity theft and the dissemination of forged social media interactions are criminal offences under the Cybercrimes Act, and vowed that perpetrators will face the full weight of the law.
The Commission urged the public to disregard the falsehood and rely only on verified institutional channels and formal press statements for information. It reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.
