INEC Reaffirms Neutrality, Says Amupitan Not on X, Post-Fabricated – THISAGE

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and institutional integrity, declaring that its president, Prof. Joash Amupitan, does not operate any personal accounts on social media platform X and has no connection to a viral post attributed to him.

The Commission’s clarification follows the release of a tweet allegedly linked to the INEC chairman, in which he expressed confidence in the electoral victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The controversial post, dated March 18, 2023, emerged as a response to a tweet by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, who had claimed to have influenced election results in an “Igbo-dominated community” in Lagos.

The post, which bore the president’s name, quickly gained traction online, sparking widespread reactions and raising concerns among Nigerians about the impartiality of the electorate.

However, INEC has firmly rejected the claim, describing it as false, misleading and as a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the Commission.

In a statement released on Friday by its Chief Press Officer and Media Adviser to the President, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission described the allegation as “utterly baseless, a total fabrication and a figment of the imagination of its suppliers”.

According to the statement, Prof. Amupitan has never owned or operated any personal accounts on X or any other social media platform, and has consistently maintained an impartial attitude in both his official and private engagements.

“The INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal accounts on

INEC further characterized the viral post as a calculated act of disinformation aimed at discrediting the Commission’s leadership at a critical period when it is focused on implementing key electoral reforms and preparing for future elections.

Reassuring the public, the Commission said it remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to conduct free, fair and credible elections, underlining that its leadership is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

In a decisive move to curb the spread of false information, INEC has revealed that it is working closely with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to trace the origin of the fake post. The Commission warned that those responsible for the act will be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Cyber ​​Crimes Act.

“Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfakes or counterfeit interactions on social media are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this harm will be tracked down and prosecuted to act as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for crime,” the statement added.

The Commission also urged Nigerians to ignore viral content and rely only on verified and official communication channels for accurate information on its activities.