The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has exposed what it calls a sophisticated digital impersonation scheme aimed at tarnishing the image of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, saying Amupitan does not operate any account on X (formerly known as Twitter).
In a forensic report released on April 20, 2026, INEC revealed that viral screenshots and posts attributed to Prof. Amupitan, including a controversial “Victory is sure” reply, were entirely fabricated and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
According to the report, one of the most critical pieces of evidence was a timestamp anomaly.
The alleged reply credited to the fake account was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet it supposedly responded to, a scenario described as technically impossible on any digital platform as it says the finding strongly indicates digital manipulation.
The Commission explained that Investigators carried out extensive verification using platform recovery tools, email linkage checks, and phone number analysis.
The findings confirmed that there is no connection between the fake X account and Prof. Amupitan’s verified email or phone number.
Claims based on BVN and OPay data were described as misleading and logically flawed.
Data breach records circulated online were also found to be unrelated and lacked any direct link to the alleged account.
INEC added that further checks using the Wayback Machine showed no record of the account or its posts prior to April 2026, contradicting claims that it had been active since 2022.
In addition, the alleged reply does not exist on the live X platform, reinforcing the conclusion that it was never posted.
INEC also disclosed that on the same day the screenshots went viral, the account was renamed from @joashamupitan to @sundayvibe00, set to private, and labeled a “Parody Account.”
This sequence of actions was identified as a deliberate attempt to erase digital traces and evade detection.
The investigation uncovered a broader impersonation network, including multiple fake Facebook and Instagram accounts using Prof. Amupitan’s identity, recycled profile images across platforms, and systematic misuse of publicly available personal data.
INEC concluded that the incident is part of a coordinated effort to manipulate public perception.
The Commission has urged Nigerians and media organizations to verify social media content before sharing, emphasizing that viral content is not necessarily authentic.
It also highlighted the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence and digital manipulation.
While the Electoral Umpire says the case has been referred to Law Enforcement Agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, it adds that Authorities are expected to trace those responsible for creating and circulating the fake content as it reiterates that all official communications are issued only through its verified platforms.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
