INEC: Investigation reveals fabricated X account targeting Chairman Prof. Amupitan –CPS

*Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, says a comprehensive, multi-layered forensic investigation conducted by independent cybersecurity experts has established the Commission’s Chairman ‘does not operate any personal X account’

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said a purported X (formerly Twitter) account recently attributed to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of the Commission, “is fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.”

Mr. Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman, noted this in a statement issued Monday, in Abuja, FCT.

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Oketola said that a comprehensive, multi-layered forensic investigation conducted by independent cybersecurity experts has conclusively established that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.

The Chairman’s CPS also stated: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) committed to a full forensic investigation, commissioned an independent forensic cybersecurity expert, who conducted a multi-layered forensic and digital investigation using X platform data, internet archive records, OSINT tools, identity forensics and cross-platform analysis.”

The media aide further stressed that all posts, replies, and screenshots linking him to the handle @joashamupitan are fraudulent, forensically unverifiable, and technically impossible.

It is recalled the controversy began April 10 this year, when viral social media posts alleged that the Chairman made a partisan comment — “Victory is sure” — in response to another user, supported by screenshots and purported digital records.

Oketola, however, said the forensic investigation uncovered clear evidence of fabrication and impersonation.

He as well highlighted the following key findings:

*No Digital Linkage: There is no connection between the disputed X account and Prof. Amupitan’s verified e-mail addresses or phone numbers, as multiple recovery and verification attempts failed to establish any link.

*False BVN/OPay Claims: Data used to suggest ownership of the account only confirms identity, and does not establish control of any social media handle, making such claims a logical fallacy.

*Timestamp Manipulation: The alleged reply “Victory is sure” was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet it responded to—an occurrence that is technically impossible and definitive proof of fabrication.

*No Historical Record: Searches on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine showed zero evidence of the account or its alleged activity prior to April 2026.

*Non-Existence on X Platform: Live checks confirmed that the alleged reply does not exist and has never existed on the platform.

*Account Renaming Pattern: On the same day the screenshots went viral, the account was renamed @sundayvibe00, set to private, and labelled a “parody account,” indicating deliberate impersonation and damage control.

*Coordinated Multi-Platform Impersonation: At least seven fake accounts across Facebook and Instagram, using the Chairman’s identity were identified, pointing to a sustained disinformation effort.

Oketola stated: “The forensic evidence is comprehensive, multi-sourced, and unambiguous.

“The posts attributed to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan on X are fabricated. The account is a clear case of impersonation.”

The statement as well noted one of the independent investigators described the development as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign.”

The Commission warned that advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made it easier to fabricate misleading content in recent times.

Oketola, therefore, urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information.

He said “the fact that content goes viral does not make it authentic.”

The INEC Chairman’s Spokesperson urged media organisations to also prioritise accuracy over speed.

The  independent forensic report had been referred to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action, stated he.

Oketola further appealed to law enforcement agencies to investigate the origin of the fake account and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

“Media organisations, in particular, have a duty to apply strict forensic verification standards to social media posts and screenshots before publishing them, especially when such content implicates public officials, or carries serious consequences for public trust and institutional credibility.

“Accuracy, not speed, must guide reporting in matters of this nature.”

The CPS restated that all official communications from INEC are disseminated exclusively through the Commission’s verified platforms, including its Web site (www.inecnigeria.org), verified X account (@inecnigeria), official Facebook page, online news portal (www.inecnews.com), formal press statements from its headquarters in Abuja, and official media briefings.

He cautioned that any account purporting to represent the INEC Chairman in a personal capacity should be treated as fraudulent unless formally verified by the Commission.

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