INEC Chairman Under Pressure Over Alleged Pro-Tinubu X Account Link

INEC Chairman Under Pressure Over Alleged Pro-Tinubu X Account Link

Pressure is mounting on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, following allegations linking him to a controversial social media account on X (formerly Twitter) accused of posting partisan content during the 2023 general elections.

The development has triggered renewed calls for resignation from opposition figures and civic groups, who argue that the controversy raises concerns about the neutrality of INEC, especially ahead of future elections.

The allegations gained traction following a report by Daily Trust, which examined an X account allegedly connected to the INEC chairman and its online activity during the 2023 electoral cycle.

According to the report, the account reportedly made posts interpreted as sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raising questions about possible political bias.

Some of the resurfaced posts include a March 17, 2023, comment describing supporters of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi as “evil in the 24th century,” as well as another post responding to APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel with the phrase “Victory is sure.” A later post on April 25, 2023, reportedly used the word “Asiwaju” in reaction to Tinubu’s airport reception.

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The account is said to be linked to user ID 1567086242164101120, which investigators claim was created on September 6, 2022, and initially operated under the handle @joashamupitan before undergoing changes in display name and status in 2026.

Reports further indicate that the account was later renamed @Sundayvibe00, locked, and labeled a “parody account,” while a separate account with a similar handle later emerged—raising concerns about possible impersonation or identity duplication on the platform.

Digital analysts note that while usernames on X can be changed, user IDs remain permanent, allowing historical activity tracking. However, they caution that this does not automatically constitute proof of ownership or direct control.

Investigations also explored claims that the account may have been linked to a phone number allegedly associated with two-factor authentication tied to the INEC chairman. However, no publicly available forensic evidence has confirmed this link.

Reacting to the allegations, Prof. Amupitan, through his media aide, denied any connection to the account, insisting that he does not operate any social media account on X and has never engaged in partisan political commentary.

INEC also dismissed the claims, describing the account as fake and cautioning against misinformation capable of undermining public trust in the electoral process.

Despite these denials, the controversy has continued to generate public debate, with opposition parties—including the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—and civil society organisations calling for a transparent investigation and, in some cases, resignation.

Fact-check findings cited in reports suggest that while there is historical linkage between the account and the handle @joashamupitan, the absence of conclusive forensic proof makes the claims unverified. The report ultimately rated the allegation as “mostly true,” further fueling political tension.

Observers say the controversy highlights growing concerns over electoral integrity in Nigeria, the influence of digital footprints on public office holders, and rising scrutiny of the independence of electoral institutions ahead of future elections.

INEC Chairman Under Pressure Over Alleged Pro-Tinubu X Account Link