Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has denied owning or operating any account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He described as false and malicious a circulating post claiming he endorsed a partisan political message on the platform. The post, which has gained traction online, falsely attributed a politically charged comment to Amupitan. In a statement issued on May 6, 2024, his office dismissed the claim as part of a coordinated campaign of calumny designed to discredit him and undermine the integrity of INEC. Amupitan, who holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasized that he does not operate any account on X and has never posted or liked content on the platform. He pledged to identify and prosecute those behind the cybercrimes, warning that such actions threaten public trust in democratic institutions. The statement did not specify which post was being referenced or provide technical details about the investigation.
That Prof. Joash Amupitan feels compelled to publicly deny owning an X account speaks volumes about the state of digital disinformation in Nigeria's political space. The fact that a sitting INEC chairman, a figure expected to remain above partisan fray, must issue a formal denial over a fabricated social media post underscores how easily false narratives can gain traction—even at the highest levels of electoral governance.
This incident does not exist in isolation. It reflects a broader pattern of targeted online sabotage aimed at key national figures, particularly those overseeing institutions central to Nigeria's democracy. The timing, though not tied to a specific election cycle in the statement, raises concerns about pre-emptive efforts to erode confidence in INEC ahead of future polls. When a statutory body like INEC must divert attention to rebut digital impersonation, it signals that cyber impersonation is no longer a fringe issue but a direct threat to institutional credibility.
Ordinary Nigerians, especially voters who rely on verified information during election periods, stand to lose the most when trust in INEC is manipulated through fake accounts. Misinformation of this nature can skew public perception, fuel distrust in electoral outcomes, and deepen cynicism toward the democratic process.
This is not the first time a Nigerian public official has been impersonated online, and it will not be the last unless stronger digital accountability frameworks are enforced.
