The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under renewed scrutiny after activist Aisha Yesufu questioned the credibility of its leadership following a recent controversy involving a social‑media account linked to chairman Joash Amupitan. Yesufu voiced her concerns on Tuesday via her verified X account, stating that the incident undermines public trust in INEC’s ability to oversee free, fair and credible elections. “This more than anything shows INEC under Joash Amupitan cannot be trusted to conduct free, fair and credible election,” she wrote. “By this desperation to deny something that is so glaring, Amupitan has offered himself as a tool to be used.”
Her remarks follow INEC’s Monday statement, which detailed how a fabricated X account, @joashamupitan, was allegedly used in an attempt to implicate the chairman. According to the commission, a forensic investigation conducted with independent cybersecurity experts found no connection between Amupitan and the viral posts attributed to the account, including the phrase “Victory is sure.” INEC maintains that the account and its posts were products of digital manipulation and impersonation.
The controversy has reignited debate over INEC’s transparency and the integrity of its leadership, especially as Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles. Yesufu’s criticism reflects broader concerns among civil‑society groups about the commission’s handling of public perception and its capacity to maintain electoral credibility. INEC has not yet responded directly to Yesufu’s comments, but the incident underscores the ongoing challenges the electoral body faces in safeguarding its reputation amid a rapidly evolving digital information landscape.
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