The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will engage forensic experts to investigate the authenticity of controversial social media posts allegedly linked to its chairman, Joash Amupitan.
The controversy began after screenshots and archived links surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), with claims that an account bearing the chairman’s name had posted partisan messages in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 general elections. The posts quickly circulated online, sparking criticism and raising concerns about the neutrality of the electoral body.
In response, Independent National Electoral Commission dismissed the claims, insisting that Amupitan does not own or operate any X account and has never engaged in partisan commentary. The commission described the allegations as false and a possible case of impersonation.
Addressing the development, INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology said the commission would not rely on screenshots alone, noting that digital content can be easily manipulated.
“We rely on evidence… I will not base my judgments on screenshots,” he said, adding that the matter had been referred to security agencies.
He further disclosed that the commission would engage independent forensic experts to determine whether the account and the alleged posts could be credibly linked to the chairman.
The controversy has continued to generate debate, with stakeholders calling for a thorough investigation amid concerns over misinformation and the potential impact on public trust in the electoral process.
INEC maintained that it remains committed to transparency and neutrality, stressing that anyone found responsible for impersonation or the spread of false information would face legal consequences.