…Vows Crackdown on Digital Impostors
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as false and malicious claims circulating on social media alleging that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, operates an account on X (formerly Twitter) and recently endorsed a partisan post. The Commission described the allegation as a fabrication aimed at misleading the public and undermining the neutrality of the electoral body.
In a press statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the Commission stated categorically that Prof. Amupitan does not own or operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary in any capacity.
INEC said the purported social media post being circulated is part of a coordinated campaign of calumny designed to impugn the integrity of its leadership, particularly at a critical time when the Commission is undertaking key electoral reforms and preparing for upcoming polls.
The Commission further revealed that the development is consistent with a pattern of cybercriminal activities involving fake accounts created in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. It noted that several such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past, describing the latest incident as a continuation of such criminal acts.
INEC assured the public that it is working closely with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track down those responsible for the identity theft and misinformation campaign, stressing that it would not tolerate attempts to tarnish the image of its leadership.
The Commission warned that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law, noting that identity theft and the spread of fake or manipulated digital content are offences under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act.
It urged Nigerians to disregard the false claims and rely only on official communication channels and verified statements from the Commission for accurate information.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing that it remains focused on its constitutional mandate despite attempts to distract or discredit its operations.