Juliet Ezeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has categorically cleared Prof. Joash Amupitan of any involvement with a controversial X (formerly Twitter) account, following an extensive forensic investigation that uncovered a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation operation.
The report, released on April 20, 2026, dismantles viral claims linking Prof. Amupitan to a social media post stating “Victory is sure,” describing the content as entirely fabricated and technologically impossible.
At the center of the findings is a critical timestamp inconsistency. The alleged reply attributed to the fake account was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet it was responding to. Investigators emphasized that such a sequence cannot occur on any legitimate digital platform, confirming that the screenshot was manipulated prior to circulation.
Further technical analysis revealed no connection between the disputed account and Prof. Amupitan’s verified email address or phone number. Attempts to establish linkage through official platform recovery systems failed completely, disproving claims that the account was tied to his identity. Assertions based on BVN and OPay data were also dismissed as misleading and lacking forensic validity.
The investigation also examined widely circulated data breach records. These were found to be generic, non-specific, and unrelated to the alleged account. Experts concluded that such records cannot be used to establish ownership or control of any social media profile.
In a decisive finding, historical checks using internet archive tools returned no evidence of the account’s existence or activity prior to April 2026. Additionally, the alleged “Victory is sure” reply does not exist anywhere on the live X platform, further confirming it was never posted.
On the same day the screenshots went viral, the account in question underwent sudden changes. It was renamed, set to private, and labeled as a “Parody Account.” Investigators identified this as a clear attempt by the impersonator to obscure evidence and evade scrutiny after the false content gained public attention.
Beyond the single account, the report uncovered a wider network of impersonation. Multiple fake profiles across Facebook and Instagram were found using Prof. Amupitan’s name and images, indicating a sustained effort to exploit his identity across platforms.
INEC described the incident as a deliberate and coordinated attempt to manipulate public perception, warning of the increasing use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to create convincing but false narratives.
The Commission has urged the public and media organizations to prioritize verification over speed, stressing that viral content should not be assumed to be authentic without credible confirmation.
Law enforcement agencies have been engaged to investigate the origin of the fabricated materials and identify those responsible. Possible prosecution under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act is being considered.
INEC reaffirmed that all official communications are issued strictly through its verified channels and advised the public to disregard any unverified accounts claiming to represent Prof. Amupitan.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.