Forensic Probe Vindicates INEC Chairman on X Account Accusations
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as false a viral X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly linked to its Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, describing it as a product of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, said findings from an independent forensic investigation confirmed that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.
According to him, the Commission engaged cybersecurity experts to conduct a comprehensive digital probe using platform data, internet archives, open-source intelligence tools, identity forensics, and cross-platform analysis.
“The outcome is clear and conclusive. The account and all content attributed to the INEC Chairman are fabricated and lack any forensic credibility,” Oketola stated.
The clarification follows widespread circulation of posts on April 10, 2026, alleging that the Chairman made a partisan remark—“Victory is sure”—in response to another user, supported by screenshots.
However, investigators uncovered multiple inconsistencies, including a critical timestamp anomaly showing the alleged reply was made 13 minutes before the original tweet—an impossibility that points to deliberate manipulation.
The report also found no digital linkage between the account and the Chairman’s verified contact details, while historical checks using web archives revealed no trace of the account prior to April 2026.
Further verification showed the alleged post does not exist on the X platform. The account in question was also found to have been renamed, set to private, and labelled a parody shortly after the screenshots went viral.
In addition, at least seven fake accounts impersonating the INEC Chairman were identified across Facebook and Instagram, indicating a broader, coordinated attempt to mislead the public.
Describing the incident as a “coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” Oketola warned that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are making it easier to fabricate convincing but false content online.
He urged the public to verify information before sharing, stressing that virality does not equate to authenticity. He also called on media organisations to uphold strict verification standards, especially when reporting on sensitive issues involving public institutions.
The CPS disclosed that the forensic report has been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.
Oketola reiterated that all official communications from INEC are issued only through its verified platforms, including its official website, verified social media accounts, and authorised statements from its Abuja headquarters.
He advised the public to disregard any social media account claiming to represent the INEC Chairman in a personal capacity unless officially confirmed by the Commission.
