Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said an X account attributed to the Commission’s Chairman is fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Oketola disclosed that a comprehensive, multi-layered forensic investigation conducted by independent cybersecurity experts established that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.
He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, committed to a full forensic investigation, commissioned an independent forensic cybersecurity expert, who conducted a multi-layered forensic and digital investigation using X platform data, internet archive records, OSINT tools, identity forensics, and cross-platform analysis.”
Oketola stressed that all posts, replies, and screenshots linking the Chairman to the handle @joashamupitan are fraudulent, forensically unverifiable, and technically impossible.
The controversy began on April 10, 2026, after viral social media posts alleged that the chairman made a partisan comment—”Victory is sure”—in response to another user, backed by screenshots and purported digital records.
However, the CPS said findings from the forensic probe revealed clear evidence of fabrication and impersonation.
“There is no connection between the disputed X account and Prof. Amupitan’s verified email addresses or phone numbers, as multiple recovery and verification attempts failed to establish any link,” he added.
“The data used to suggest ownership of the account only confirms identity and does not establish control of any social media handle, making such claims a logical fallacy.
“The alleged reply ‘Victory is sure’ was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet it responded to—an occurrence that is technically impossible and definitive proof of fabrication.
“Investigations conducted on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine revealed no evidence of the account or its purported activities prior to April 2026.
“Real-time checks verified that the alleged response does not exist and has never been present on the platform.
“On the same day that the screenshots gained widespread attention, the account was renamed @sundayvibe00, switched to private, and designated as a “parody account,” suggesting intentional impersonation and efforts for damage control.
“A minimum of seven fraudulent accounts on Facebook and Instagram utilizing the chairman’s identity were discovered, indicating a persistent disinformation campaign.
“The forensic evidence is thorough, sourced from multiple origins, and unequivocal. The posts attributed to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan on X are fabricated. This account is a blatant instance of impersonation,” Oketola stated.
Quoting one of the independent investigators, he described the development as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” warning that advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to create misleading content.
Oketola urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, noting that “the virality of content does not equate to its authenticity,” and called on media organizations to prioritize accuracy over speed.
He added that the forensic report has been submitted to law enforcement agencies for further action, urging authorities to investigate the origin of the fraudulent account and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
He remarked, “Media organizations, in particular, have a responsibility to implement rigorous forensic verification standards for social media posts and screenshots prior to publication, especially when such content implicates public officials or has significant implications for public trust and institutional credibility. Accuracy, rather than speed, should dictate reporting in such matters.”
