The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the controversy over alleged partisan social media posts linked to its chairman, Joash Amupitan, to digital impersonation, insisting the claims are part of a broader attempt to mislead the public.
The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, made this known during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, April 13, as concerns grew over resurfaced posts tied to an account bearing the chairman’s name.
“Based on the official statement issued by the Commission sometime last week, the Chairman does not maintain any personal X account.
“Therefore, any content being attributed to such an account is not recognised by the Commission as originating from it,” Bayode said.
He argued that the development reflects a wider problem of misinformation targeting public institutions rather than an isolated incident.
“For me, this is not about an individual. This is about how digital impersonation and misinformation can target public institutions,” Bayode added.
He also emphasised the importance of safeguarding public trust through accurate information.
“Our duty is to protect truth, verify facts, and ensure Nigerians are not misled. Why? Because in a democracy, trust must be earned,” Bayode said.
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First Daily reports that the controversy stems from a 2023 post that recently resurfaced online, with critics alleging it suggested partisan alignment involving the INEC chairman.
The post was originally shared by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, who wrote:
“Today I rejoice, not just for delivering my polling unit, but for winning 7 of the 10 polling units in my nearby Igbo-dominated community where APC have NEVER WON… I sat with the youth of the community and forged a partnership.”
It later gained traction after claims emerged that an account linked to Amupitan interacted with the post, including a response that read, “Victory is sure.”
INEC, however, dismissed the allegations. In a statement issued on Friday by its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the commission described the claims as “false, baseless and misleading.”
The electoral body reiterated that its chairman does not operate any personal X account and has not engaged in partisan commentary.
INEC further described the viral content as part of a coordinated misinformation campaign aimed at undermining its credibility, warning that cybercriminals are exploiting impersonation tactics to deceive the public.
The commission added that it is working with security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.