By Joy Onu
The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission), Mr. Adedayo Oketola, has dismissed a viral account on X allegedly linked to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, describing it as fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
Oketola said in Abuja that the account and associated posts circulating online were products of digital manipulation, stressing that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.
The controversy began in April 2026 when a screenshot claiming the INEC Chairman posted the phrase “Victory is sure” went viral across social media, triggering political reactions and widespread debate.
In response, the Commission commissioned an independent forensic cybersecurity investigation to verify the authenticity of the claims, using platform analytics, identity forensics, open-source intelligence tools, and archived web records.
Findings from the probe showed no verifiable link between the alleged account and the Chairman’s official identity, including phone numbers, email addresses, or any authenticated digital footprint.
Investigators also identified a critical inconsistency in the viral content, noting that the alleged reply appeared before the original tweet it responded to, a chronological error described as technically impossible.
Further checks revealed that the account left no trace on X’s historical records or digital archives. It was later renamed and switched to private mode shortly after the screenshots gained attention, a pattern investigators said suggests deliberate impersonation and damage control.
The report also identified at least seven additional fake accounts across Facebook and Instagram using similar identity patterns, pointing to what officials described as a coordinated cross-platform disinformation effort.
Oketola warned that advances in artificial intelligence and digital tools are making it increasingly easier to fabricate convincing false narratives, urging the public to verify content before sharing.
He confirmed that the forensic report has been forwarded to security agencies for investigation and possible prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, while reiterating that INEC’s official communications remain strictly limited to its verified platforms and accredited channels.
