The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims that its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, operates an account on X, describing a viral post attributed to him as false and malicious.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission said the allegation that the chairman endorsed a partisan message on the social media platform was “entirely baseless” and a fabrication aimed at discrediting his integrity.

INEC stated unequivocally that Amupitan does not own or operate any personal account on X (formerly Twitter) and has never engaged in partisan commentary or political activity, either publicly or privately.

The Commission described the circulation of the alleged post as a coordinated attempt to undermine public trust, particularly at a time when it is undertaking key electoral reforms and preparing for upcoming elections.

“This contrived post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman,” the statement said.

INEC also warned of increasing cases of identity theft involving fake social media accounts created in the chairman’s name, noting that such platforms have been used by cybercriminals to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

According to the Commission, several of these fraudulent accounts have previously been identified and reported to security agencies, adding that the latest incident reflects a continuing pattern of criminal activity.

The electoral body said it is working closely with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track down those responsible for the misinformation and impersonation.

It further stressed that perpetrators would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, citing provisions of the Cybercrimes Act which criminalise identity theft and the spread of false digital content.

INEC urged the public to disregard the viral claim and rely only on its verified communication channels for accurate information.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair and credible elections, stating that it would not be distracted by attempts to undermine its leadership.