News Investigators/ The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has no personal account on X, formerly Twitter.
Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, in a statement on Friday said the office had noted a “malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny” circulating on social media.
Mr Oketola said the false claim alleged that Amupitan had endorsed a partisan post on the X platform.
“The commission states categorically that this allegation is baseless, a 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 never engaged in partisan commentary or associated with any political leaning in private or public capacity,” he said.
Mr Oketola described the post as “a desperate attempt to impugn the chairman’s integrity” at a critical time of electoral reforms and preparations.
He added that it was “a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust” in the electoral body.
“Beyond this mischief, cybercriminals are using fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud Nigerians.
“We have identified and reported several such fraudulent accounts to security agencies in the past.
“This fabrication continues a criminal pattern exploiting the commission’s profile for illicit gains,” Oketola said.
He said the commission would not allow its leadership’s character to be undermined by “digital imposters and mischief-makers”.
According to him, INEC is working with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track those behind the misinformation.
He said: “The commission will ensure these imposters face the full wrath of the law.
“Identity theft and dissemination of forged social media content are offences under the Cybercrimes Act.
“Those responsible will be tracked and prosecuted to deter others.”
He urged the public to disregard the claims, stressing that official information would only come through verified INEC channels.
Mr Oketola reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections.
NAN