INEC: Chairman Joash Amupitan Has No X Account, Warns Against Fake Posts

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, does not operate any personal account on X (formerly Twitter), distancing him from controversial posts circulating online and allegedly linked to an impersonation account.

INEC’s clarification was reinforced by its ICT Director, Lawrence Bayode, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he confirmed that the commission had already issued an official statement addressing the issue.

Bayode stated that any content circulating under accounts claiming to represent the INEC chairman should be disregarded, stressing that such accounts are not recognised by the commission.

“Based on the official statement issued by the commission, the chairman does not maintain any personal X account. Any content attributed to such an account is not recognised by the commission as originating from him,” he said.

He explained that the controversy highlights a broader challenge of digital impersonation and misinformation, warning that false online identities can easily be used to mislead the public and damage trust in national institutions, particularly during sensitive political periods.

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According to him, INEC’s priority is to safeguard electoral integrity by ensuring that only verified and official communication channels are used for public information.

“And for me, this is not about an individual; this is about how digital impersonation and misinformation can target public institutions,” he added, emphasising the need for vigilance among citizens and media organisations.

INEC reiterated that the chairman’s official communications are released strictly through institutional platforms, including verified press statements, official briefings, and the commission’s corporate social media handles.

The clarification comes amid controversy over resurfaced posts attributed to a now-disputed X account allegedly linked to the INEC chairman. The commission insists the account is fake and should not be associated with its leadership.

INEC also urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing, warning that the spread of fake accounts and false statements could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The commission further called on social media platforms to strengthen measures against impersonation accounts, particularly those targeting high-ranking public officials and sensitive democratic institutions.

As political discussions intensify ahead of future elections, INEC said it remains committed to transparency, neutrality, and protecting the integrity of electoral communication in Nigeria.

INEC: Chairman Joash Amupitan Has No X Account, Warns Against Fake Posts

Tinubu Aide Defends Early INEC Statement Release on Amupitan Controversy

A presidential media aide, Dada Olusegun, has defended his decision to circulate a statement clearing the embattled Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, hours before it was officially released by the commission, saying his action falls within his responsibility to communicate government activities.

The controversy began after Olusegun posted on X (formerly Twitter) at about 8:12 pm on April 10, sharing a statement denying allegations that Amupitan had links to pro-government or pro-APC political activity during the 2023 general elections.

However, INEC reportedly published the same statement on its official platform the following day at about 6:16 pm on April 11, a timing gap that triggered public debate and questions about coordination between the presidency and the electoral body.

The development immediately sparked concerns online, with critics questioning why a presidential aide would publish a statement involving an independent institution before the commission itself, raising renewed discussions about the independence of INEC and institutional communication protocols.

Reacting to the backlash, Olusegun dismissed suggestions of wrongdoing, insisting that there was no conspiracy and that the similarity in messaging should not be misinterpreted.

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“It is important to separate coincidence in messaging from conspiracy,” he wrote on X, adding that public institutions often respond to issues already in the public domain and that his post did not influence INEC’s official communication.

He further clarified that he did not author the statement and has no authority over INEC’s internal processes, stressing that his role is limited to communicating and defending the policies and image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“My role remains what it has always been: to communicate, clarify, and propagate the good works of President Tinubu’s administration responsibly,” he said.

Despite his explanation, the incident triggered widespread reactions on social media, with users questioning the timing of the publications and alleging possible coordination between the presidency and the electoral body.

Some commenters argued that the early release of the statement by a presidential aide could create public perception issues regarding electoral credibility in Nigeria, while others insisted it reflected deeper concerns about institutional independence.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has not issued any further clarification beyond its earlier denial of allegations linking its chairman to partisan political activity during the 2023 elections.

INEC has consistently maintained that its leadership remains neutral and that claims suggesting political bias are false and capable of undermining public trust in the electoral process.

The controversy has further fueled national debate over the boundaries between government communication, political messaging, and the independence of key democratic institutions in Nigeria, particularly ahead of future elections.

Observers say the incident highlights the increasing sensitivity of official communication in the digital era, where timing and perception can significantly shape public trust in institutions.

Tinubu Aide Defends Early INEC Statement Release on Amupitan Controversy

Nigeria-Kenya Comparison Won’t Solve Economic Crisis — Peter Obi Replies Tinubu

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s comments comparing Nigeria’s economic situation with Kenya and other African countries, insisting that such comparisons do not address Nigeria’s deepening economic challenges.

Obi said the focus should be on solving domestic problems rather than engaging in Nigeria-Kenya economic comparisons, especially at a time when Nigerians are grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, fuel costs, and declining living standards.

He made the remarks while reacting to President Tinubu’s statement in Yenagoa, where the President suggested that Nigeria remains relatively better positioned than some African countries despite its current economic difficulties.

According to Obi, what Nigeria urgently needs is economic reform driven by measurable data, not comparisons that attempt to offer comfort instead of solutions.

“Comparing Nigeria to Kenya or any other country will not fix our problems,” Obi said. “What Nigerians need are concrete solutions driven by measurable data, not statements that attempt to console rather than confront reality.”

Obi Cites Development Indicators to Support Position

Obi backed his argument with development statistics, claiming that Kenya performs better than Nigeria in several key human development indicators, including income levels, education, and healthcare outcomes.

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He stated that Kenya has a Human Development Index (HDI) score of about 0.630 compared to Nigeria’s 0.530, indicating a wider development gap between both countries.

He also noted that Kenya’s GDP per capita is estimated at about $2,200–$2,300, while Nigeria’s remains below $900, reflecting weaker income distribution and productivity levels.

On poverty levels, Obi said about 43% of Kenyans live below the poverty line, compared to around 63% of Nigerians, translating to a significantly larger number of people affected in Nigeria.

He further highlighted education challenges, stating that Nigeria has about 20 million out-of-school children compared to Kenya’s 3.5 million, alongside weaker infrastructure and electricity access.

In health outcomes, he added that life expectancy in Kenya stands at about 67 years, while Nigeria’s is approximately 54 years, showing significant gaps in healthcare delivery and social welfare systems.

“Statistics Are Not Optional in Governance” — Obi

Obi also criticised earlier remarks attributed to President Tinubu during the campaign trail, including the phrase “Na statistics we go shop?”, insisting that data-driven governance is essential for national development.

“Statistics are not optional; they are the language of development,” he said. “No country can plan effectively or measure progress without credible data and meaningful comparisons.”

He added that while international comparisons can be useful for policy evaluation, they must be applied honestly and not used to downplay domestic economic hardship.

Calls for Focus on Reform, Not Rhetoric

The former Anambra State governor urged the Federal Government to shift focus toward economic restructuring, job creation, productivity growth, and human capital development, rather than political narratives.

Obi said Nigeria must confront its realities with honesty and avoid what he described as “self-consolation politics,” warning that failure to do so would delay meaningful progress.

He maintained that while Kenya also faces its own challenges, Nigeria’s development indicators show deeper structural issues that require urgent policy attention.

“If we are serious about progress, we must face the truth and take responsibility,” he said.

Political analysts say Obi’s comments reflect growing public debate over Nigeria’s economic direction, governance performance, and the use of statistics in national policymaking amid rising cost-of-living pressures.

Nigeria-Kenya Comparison Won’t Solve Economic Crisis — Peter Obi Replies Tinubu