The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations of partisan social media activity linked to its leadership, stating that the controversy stems from digital impersonation rather than any involvement by the commission’s chairman.
The clarification was provided by INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, during an interview on Channels Television on Monday. He was responding to viral claims involving resurfaced online posts allegedly connected to an account said to belong to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
Bayode stated that the commission had already clarified that the chairman does not operate any personal account on X (formerly Twitter). He stressed that any posts attributed to such an account should not be regarded as official or authentic communications from the electoral body.
According to him, the issue goes beyond an individual and highlights the growing threat of misinformation and digital impersonation targeting public institutions. He warned that such activities have the potential to mislead the public and undermine trust in democratic processes.
“For me, this is not about an individual. This is about how digital impersonation and misinformation can target public institutions,” he said, adding that safeguarding information integrity is essential to maintaining public confidence.
Bayode also emphasised the importance of verification and responsible information sharing, particularly in a political environment where false narratives can spread quickly across social media platforms. He noted that INEC remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians are not misled by fabricated or manipulated content.
The controversy originated from a 2023 post attributed to APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, which resurfaced online and sparked debate. The post reportedly described electoral successes in certain polling units and included celebratory remarks that some users later linked to INEC’s leadership through an alleged engagement.
One widely circulated claim suggested that an account bearing the name of the INEC chairman responded with the phrase “Victory is sure.” However, INEC strongly denied any connection to the post or the alleged interaction.
In a separate statement issued by its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the commission described the claims as false, misleading, and baseless. It reiterated that the chairman has never operated a personal social media account and has not engaged in partisan political discussions online.
INEC further stated that the viral screenshots were part of a coordinated misinformation effort aimed at discrediting the commission. It also warned that cybercriminals are increasingly using fake accounts and impersonation tactics to spread confusion and erode public trust.
The commission added that it is working with relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for spreading false information, while urging the public to rely only on verified official channels for electoral updates.
