Tinubu Aide Defends Early INEC Statement Release on Amupitan Controversy

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