The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday dismissed as “baseless fabrication” social-media claims that its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter).
The commission in a statement by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary Adetayo Oketola stated categorically that Amupitan maintains no personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary.
“This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman,” INEC said in the statement, in the middle of preparations for upcoming polls and electoral reforms.
INEC warned that cybercriminals have exploited fake accounts in Professor Amupitan’s name to defraud Nigerians, with several already reported to security agencies.
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The commission said that it is collaborating with cyber-intelligence units to track perpetrators, promising prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act for identity theft and misinformation.
“Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent,” the statement added.
Nigerians have therefore been urged to ignore the claims and rely solely on INEC’s verified channels for official information.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to free, fair elections, undeterred by the “partisan mischief.”
