- Safiu Kehinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has broken silence over the controversial Twitter (Now X) account linked to its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
NPO Reported that Amupitan had on Friday come under spotlight following claims of him
Amupitan was alleged to have locked and subsequently changing the name of his X handle, which contained his past posts indicating his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is coming under the heels of calls for his removal over alleged partisanship as he was accused of being a former campaigner for the APC.
The controversial X handle had intensified the call for his removal as some of his critics and members of the opposition parties flooded the social media space with purported proofs linking the INEC chairman to the account.
Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, INEC refuted the claims, labelling them total fabrication and figment of imagination.
The commission held that Amupitan never own or operate any personal X account used for making partisan commentary.
“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.” Adedayo wrote.
The INEC’s spokesperson further described the claims as desperate attempts to tarnish the image of the Chairman.
He labelled it a needless distraction while disclosing past attempts by cybercriminals impersonating Amupitan with several fake social media accounts which had been identified.
“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.” He said.
INEC described the latest fabrication as merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.
It vowed to bring those involved in the account linked to the Chairman to book.
“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.” Adedayo wrote.
The commission’s spokesperson and Amupitan’s media aide urged members of the public to disregard the controversial account as he maintained that the INEC Chairman will only communicate through verified channels and formal press statements.
“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.”