The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over what it describes as a deliberate attempt to undermine its credibility following the circulation of an alleged partisan social media post linked to its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
The controversy stems from a viral screenshot purportedly showing Amupitan expressing support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general elections. The development has triggered widespread reactions online, with some opposition figures and commentators calling for the chairman’s resignation.
However, INEC has dismissed the claim, insisting the post is fabricated and part of a broader effort to discredit both Amupitan and the commission.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, the commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Lawrence Bayode, said the alleged tweet was not authentic and should not be relied upon as evidence.
According to him, preliminary forensic findings indicate that the viral content did not originate from the INEC chairman, stressing that conclusions should not be drawn based solely on screenshots circulating on social media.
Bayode explained that further investigation revealed discrepancies in the timeline of the alleged post, noting that while the screenshot suggested it was made in 2023, digital analysis pointed to manipulation.
He also disclosed that a separate account bearing the same username, @joashamupitan, was created on April 10, 2026, raising concerns about identity cloning and online impersonation. The account, he added, remains active as authorities continue their investigation.
INEC said it is working in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force and the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) to establish the full details of the incident. Bayode expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would clarify the situation and help ease public tension.
Describing the situation as a likely case of digital impersonation, the ICT director warned that malicious actors could exploit publicly available information to mislead citizens and distort public perception.
He further cautioned about the growing risks associated with manipulated digital content, noting that even artificial intelligence tools used on social media platforms could produce misleading or inaccurate outputs if not properly verified.
The commission reiterated the importance of verifying information before dissemination, particularly on sensitive national matters, as investigations into the alleged impersonation continue.
