The Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) has dismissed claims that its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, endorsed a partisan put up on the social media platform X, describing the allegation as false and deceptive.
In an announcement issued on Friday by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the fee mentioned the report shaped a part of what it described as a “malicious and coordinated marketing campaign” geared toward discrediting the electoral physique.
INEC clarified that the chairman doesn’t function any private account on X and has by no means engaged in partisan commentary or political endorsement.
The fee additional described the alleged put up as a deliberate try and undermine the credibility and neutrality of the chairman at a essential time.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman doesn’t personal or function any private account on X.
He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever related himself with any political leaning or exercise in his personal or public capability,” the assertion mentioned.
INEC additionally raised issues about cybercriminals allegedly utilizing pretend social media accounts bearing the chairman’s identify to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
In keeping with the fee, a number of pretend accounts have already been recognized and reported to safety businesses, with efforts ongoing to trace down these accountable.
The fee warned that identification theft and the unfold of cast social media content material represent legal offences beneath the Cybercrimes Act, including that these behind such actions would face prosecution.
INEC urged members of the general public to ignore the false declare and rely solely on verified institutional channels for official info.
The electoral physique additionally reaffirmed its dedication to delivering credible elections and sustaining public belief in Nigeria’s electoral course of.