By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has strongly rejected claims linking its Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan to a pro- Tinubu post online.
The Source reports that the media space has been awash with reports suggesting that the INEC Chairman, in a post in 2023, expressed support for President Tinubu, then All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate.
Prof Amupitan was said to have on his X accounted posted the phrase “victory is assured” in an apparent expression of his support for Tinubu, thus sparking widespread indignation and condemnations across the country from netizens who subsequently re-echoed the demand for his resignation.
They accused the INEC boss of bias and, so, incapable of conducting free, fair and credible polls, given his observed partisan posture.
It would be recalled that the Senator David Mark-led faction of the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, had earlier protested and openly called for the resignation and sack of the INEC Chairman on account of his alleged bias, and questionable actions since mounting the saddle.
The INEC on Wednesday April 1,2026, had ignited tension and controversy with its decision to discontinue the recognition of the Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC of the ADC on the strength of a Court of Appeal judgment ordering parties in in the internal and leadership crisis rocking the party to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a motion on notice filed at the Abuja Federal High Court.
But not a few have impugned political motives into the INEC’s decision, accusing the its Chairman of collaborating with the ruling party at the centre to suffocate opposition parties as well as shrink the political space ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, a statement late on Friday, April 10, 2026, from his spokesperson Adedayo Oketola, the INEC Chairman while distancing himself from the said pro-Tinubu post , explained that he has never, in his life operated an X account.
This is as he described the development as the handiwork of detractors out to distract him from the task ahead through orchestrated smear and malicious campaign.
Oketola in the statement, described the allegation as totally unfounded, fabricated ,and only depicting the figment of the imagination of the promoters.
“To clarify, the INEC Chairman does not possess, or manage any personal account on X.
“He has never engaged partisan commentary, nor has he ever aligned himself with any political bias or activity in either his private or public roles” Oketola stated.
The spokesperson emphasized that the development is yet another, in the desperate attempts by some forces to rubbish the integrity of the INEC Chairman at this critical moment when the electoral umpire is engaged in electoral reforms , and preparations for the forthcoming polls.
The electoral body equally alleged that some unscrupulous elements have been using the name of the Commission’s Chairman in perpetrating Cybercrimes.
“In addition to this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that Cybercriminals have been active, using fraudulent social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians.
“We would like to officially state that numerous such fraudulent accounts have been identified ,and reported to security agencies.
“The latest fabrication is simply a continuation of a criminal trend aimed at exploiting the Commission’s reputation for unlawful purposes.
“We wish to inform the public that we are collaborating closely with relevant security agencies,and cyber-intelligence units to track down ,and identify the individuals ,or groups responsible for this identity theft and misinformation”, the statement added.
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