Fake X Account: INEC Vows Crackdown on Chairman’s Imperators

Fake X Account: INEC Vows Crackdown on Chairman’s Imperators

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as false a viral social media claim linking its chairman, Joash Amupitan, to a partisan post on X, warning that those behind the impersonation will be tracked and prosecuted.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the chairman’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, the commission described the allegation as a calculated attempt to undermine the credibility and neutrality of its leadership.

INEC said the post circulating online, which purportedly showed the chairman endorsing a political position, was entirely fabricated and should be disregarded by the public.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X and has never engaged in partisan commentary,” the statement said.

The commission noted that the development was part of a broader pattern of digital impersonation and misinformation aimed at exploiting its public standing, especially at a time it is focused on electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.

According to INEC, cybercriminals have in recent times created fake social media accounts in the chairman’s name to deceive Nigerians, adding that several of such accounts had already been identified and reported to relevant authorities.

Describing the latest incident as a continuation of that trend, the commission said it would not allow its leadership to be discredited through what it termed “digital mischief.”

“We are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify those responsible,” the statement said, adding that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

INEC stressed that impersonation and the spread of manipulated or forged online content constitute offences under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, warning that the perpetrators would be brought to justice to serve as a deterrent.

The commission urged members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels for authentic information and to ignore unverified posts circulating on social media.

It reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, insisting that attempts to distract it through misinformation would not derail its mandate.