The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that a viral X account attributed to its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is fraudulent. A forensic investigation conducted by the commission found no evidence linking Amupitan to the account or a controversial post that circulated online, claiming he made a partisan statement during the 2023 elections. The post, which resurfaced weeks after the polls, was widely shared and sparked debate before INEC intervened. INEC disclosed that the account was newly created and did not exist during the period the alleged comment was said to have been made. The commission said digital forensics confirmed the post was fabricated and falsely attributed to Amupitan. INEC has directed its legal team to identify and prosecute those behind the fake account and the dissemination of the false content. The commission warned the public against sharing unverified information that could undermine electoral credibility.
Prof. Joash Amupitan is cleared of a viral post he never made, yet the damage of misinformation spread unchecked for weeks. Nigerians who shared the fake post based on screenshots now face the reality of being used as tools to destabilise electoral trust. The speed with which the falsehood spread reveals how fragile public confidence in institutions remains. INEC's pursuit of the perpetrators alone will not undo the lasting impression the lie left in many minds.
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