The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims that its chairman, Joash Amupitan, operates a partisan account on X. It described the allegation as false and malicious.
In a statement issued on Friday, Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, said the claim forms part of a “coordinated campaign of calumny.”
He said the campaign aims to discredit the commission’s leadership.
The clarification follows the emergence of an X account bearing the name “Joash Ojo Amupitan.”
The account circulated posts that appeared to support President Bola Tinubu.
However, INEC rejected the claim. It said Amupitan does not own or operate any personal account on the platform.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X,” the statement said.
“He has not engaged in partisan commentary. He has not associated with any political leaning.”
Furthermore, the commission described the viral posts as fabricated.
It said the posts aim to undermine its neutrality at a critical time.
“This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity of the chairman,” the statement added.
“It is a distraction designed to stir public distrust.”
FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Meanwhile, INEC raised concerns over fake social media accounts.
It said fraudsters have used such accounts in the past to deceive Nigerians.
The commission said it is working with security agencies.
It also said it is collaborating with cyber-intelligence units to track those behind the account.
“Identity theft and the spread of forged content are criminal offences under the Cybercrimes Act,” the statement said.
“Those responsible will be tracked and prosecuted.”
In addition, INEC urged the public to ignore the account.
It advised Nigerians to rely only on verified channels for information.
Finally, the commission reaffirmed its commitment to credible elections.
It said it will not allow such attempts to weaken public confidence.
