MICHAEL AKINOLA
A full forensic investigation commissioned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish the validity of a purported X (formerly Twitter) account attributed to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has revealed it’s fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
In a public statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, he disclosed 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.
Oketola stressed that all posts, replies, and screenshots linking him 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 comment — “Victory is sure” — in response to another user, supported by screenshots and purported digital records.
However, the CPS said the forensic investigation uncovered clear evidence of fabrication and impersonation, highlighting the following key findings:
· No Digital Linkage: 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.
· 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.
“The forensic evidence is comprehensive, multi-sourced, and unambiguous. Articles attributed to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan on X are fabricated. The account is a clear case of impersonation,” Mr. Oketola said.
Quoting one of the independent investigators, he described the development as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” warning that advances in artificial intelligence had made it easier to fabricate misleading content.
He urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, noting that “the fact that content goes viral does not make it authentic,” and called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy over speed.
Oketola said the independent forensic report had been referred to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action.
He also appealed to law enforcement agencies to investigate the origin of the fake account and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
He said, “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.”
He reiterated that all official communications from INEC are disseminated exclusively through its verified platforms, including its website (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.
Any account purporting to represent the INEC Chairman in a personal capacity, he said, shoauld be treated as fraudulent unless formally verified by the Commission.
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