INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan is currently facing public scrutiny over alleged Past Pro-Tinubu and APC social media posts.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, has come under public scrutiny following the resurfacing of his past social media posts allegedly showing support for Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The posts, reportedly made during the 2023 election period while Amupitan was a professor at the University of Jos, have sparked debate about the importance of neutrality for electoral officials.
Critics and opposition argue that the comments raise questions about the perception of impartiality required for someone heading Nigeria’s electoral body. They maintain that the leadership of INEC must not only be neutral but also be seen by the public as completely independent of partisan influence.
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The controversy intensified after reports indicated that the social media account linked to Amupitan had previously interacted with posts celebrating political developments involving Tinubu and APC supporters during the 2023 election cycle.
In one widely circulated example dated March 18, 2023, a post by Dayo Israel, National Youth Leader of the APC, claimed that a polling unit described as “Igbo-dominated” had shifted political support to the ruling party. The account attributed to Amupitan allegedly responded with the words, “Victory is sure.”
Another post from March 17, 2023, reportedly showed the same account reacting to a claim about supporters of Peter Obi with a strongly worded remark condemning the alleged misinformation.
A separate interaction on April 25, 2023, involved a celebratory post about Tinubu’s reception at the Abuja airport. The account allegedly responded with the word “Asiwaju,” a political title commonly associated with the president.
The resurfacing of these posts has generated discussions about the standards expected of electoral umpires and the importance of public confidence in institutions responsible for conducting elections.
In response to the controversy, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, issued a statement asserting that the social media account linked to Amupitan is fake.
According to the statement, the account, reportedly created in 2022, does not belong to the INEC chairman. The commission maintained that Amupitan had no involvement with the posts circulating online.
Despite the denial, the issue has continued to draw public attention, with analysts noting that electoral legitimacy often depends not only on legal procedures but also on public trust in the neutrality of those overseeing the process.
Observers say that maintaining transparency and public confidence remains essential for institutions such as INEC, particularly as the country prepares for future elections.
