Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Blasts Viral Post Linking Him To APC Victory Celebration As ‘Fake

The clarification followed the circulation of screenshots online showing a post allegedly made in March 2023 by an account with the handle @joashamupitan, which appeared to celebrate a victory by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a local community.

According to reports, the account was later renamed, restricted, and labelled as a parody after the images gained attention.

In a statement issued by the Chairman’s media office, INEC said it had uncovered a coordinated attempt to spread false information suggesting that Amupitan made partisan comments on the platform.

The Commission stressed that the Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on and has never engaged in political commentary online.

INEC described the circulating post as fabricated, stating that it was designed to tarnish the Chairman’s reputation at a time when the Commission is focused on electoral reforms and preparations for future polls.

It added that the false claim is intended to cast doubt on the neutrality and credibility of the electoral body.

The Commission also expressed concern over the growing trend of impersonation, revealing that fake accounts created in the Chairman’s name have been used in the past to mislead the public.

INEC disclosed that some of these accounts have already been reported to security agencies, noting that the latest case fits into a pattern of online fraud.

The statement further indicated that the Commission is collaborating with security agencies and cybercrime experts to identify those responsible for the fake posts.

It warned that anyone found culpable would face prosecution under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act.

INEC urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading information and rely only on its official communication channels for accurate updates.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible and transparent elections nationwide.

Amupitan, who assumed office in October 2025, has recently faced scrutiny from some quarters over his perceived neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, but INEC maintained that the allegations are baseless and misleading.