INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan Denies Owning X Account Making Political Post

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has dismissed reports claiming he owns or uses an X account, calling the allegations false and intentionally misleading.

The controversy began after some social media users accused the INEC chairman of running an X account and posting comments seen as politically biased.

Reacting to the claims, his spokesperson, Adedayo Oketola described the reports as completely untrue and fabricated.

In a statement, Oketola explained that Amupitan does not have any personal X account and has never approved or made any post supporting any political view.

He said the fake post appears to be a calculated attempt to damage the chairman’s reputation for neutrality, especially at a sensitive period when INEC is focused on major electoral reforms and plans for future elections.

Oketola said INEC is already working closely with security agencies and cyber-intelligence teams to trace those behind the fake account and false claims.

He warned that anyone found responsible would face legal action, noting that identity theft and the spread of forged or manipulated social media content are punishable offenses under the Cybercrimes Act.

The statement said, “The attention of the Office of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been drawn to a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny circulating on social media. The false claim alleges that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has, in the past, endorsed a partisan post on the platform X (formerly Twitter).

“The Commission wishes to state categorically that this allegation is entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity.

“This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.

“Beyond this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that cybercriminals have been on the prowl, utilising fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

“We wish to place it on record that several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past. This latest fabrication is merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.

“The Commission will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers. We wish to notify the public that we are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.

“Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law. Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality.

“The general public is hereby urged to disregard this falsehood in its entirety. We will continue to disseminate official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities only through our verified institutional channels and formal press statements.

“The Commission remains undeterred and fully committed to its mandate of delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.”

KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu swore in Professor Joash Amupitan as the INEC Chairman on October 23, 2025.