INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan Denies X Account Allegations

Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), denied any association with an X account (@joashamupitan) that allegedly supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general election. Amupitan made this denial on Thursday at Chatham House during a dialogue organized with the Kimpact Development Initiative, focusing on Nigeria's 2027 elections.

The controversy arose from the account's response to a post by APC national youth leader Dayo Israel, which included the phrase "Victory is sure." Critics claimed this indicated partisan support. Amupitan stated he has no X account and that his attempts to contact the platform were unsuccessful.

He linked the controversy to a court ruling involving the African Democratic Congress, suggesting it aimed to weaken public trust in INEC. He also refuted claims about his past involvement with President Bola Tinubu's legal team and misrepresentation of his educational qualifications, asserting investigations found no basis for these allegations.

Despite the controversies, Amupitan expressed confidence in INEC's readiness for the upcoming elections.