Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has stated that the X account being linked to the Commission’s Chairman is fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Oketola revealed that a detailed, multi-layered forensic investigation carried out by independent cybersecurity experts has conclusively shown that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.
He said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission, 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.”
Oketola emphasised that all posts, replies, and screenshots linking the Chairman to the handle @joashamupitan are fraudulent, forensically unverifiable, and technically impossible.
The controversy began on April 10, 2026, when viral social media posts alleged that the Chairman made a partisan remark, “Victory is sure,” in response to another user, accompanied by screenshots and supposed digital records.
However, the CPS said the forensic probe uncovered clear signs of fabrication and impersonation, outlining the following findings:
“There is no connection between the disputed X account and Prof. Amupitan’s verified email addresses or phone numbers, as multiple recovery and verification attempts failed to establish any link,” he added.
“The 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.
“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.
“Investigations conducted on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine revealed no evidence of the account or its purported activities prior to April 2026.
“Real-time checks verified that the alleged response does not exist and has never been present on the platform.
“On the same day that the screenshots gained widespread attention, the account was renamed @sundayvibe00, switched to private, and designated as a ‘parody account,’ suggesting intentional impersonation and efforts at damage control.
“A minimum of seven fraudulent accounts on Facebook and Instagram using the Chairman’s identity were discovered, indicating a persistent disinformation campaign.
“The forensic evidence is thorough, sourced from multiple origins, and unequivocal. Articles attributed to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan on X are fabricated. This account is a blatant instance of impersonation,” stated Mr. Oketola.
Quoting one of the independent investigators, he described the development as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” warning that advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to create misleading content.
He urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, stressing that “the virality of content does not equate to its authenticity,” and called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy over speed.
Oketola added that the independent forensic report has been submitted to law enforcement agencies for necessary action. He also urged security agencies to trace the origin of the fake account and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
He added: “Media organizations, in particular, have a responsibility to implement rigorous forensic verification standards for social media posts and screenshots before publication, especially when such content implicates public officials or has significant implications for public trust and institutional credibility. Accuracy, rather than speed, should dictate reporting in such matters.”
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