INEC says no forensic evidence links its chairman to alleged X post as investigation into digital impersonation and AI misinformation continues
The Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) has stated that there is no verified forensic evidence linking its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to an alleged partisan post circulating on X.
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The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.
Bayode said while the commission is aware of forensic claims made by some parties online, no official investigation has confirmed any connection between the chairman and the disputed post.
He added that the matter has been escalated to security agencies and will also be reviewed by independent forensic experts to establish the authenticity of the claims.
According to him, the commission will not rely on screenshots or unverified online content in reaching conclusions, stressing the importance of evidence-based investigation.
Bayode further noted that INEC is planning to engage third-party specialists to ensure an impartial review of the incident before any final decision is made.
He also raised concerns about digital impersonation, warning that social media accounts can be hacked, manipulated or falsely created to mislead the public.
The ICT director cautioned against over-reliance on artificial intelligence tools for verification, noting that such systems can generate inaccurate outputs and must be used carefully in sensitive matters.
He explained that internal and external reviews would run concurrently to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations.
The development comes amid wider concerns about misinformation and the manipulation of online content in Nigeria’s digital space.
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INEC says it remains committed to safeguarding its institutional integrity while ensuring that only verified evidence guides its conclusions.
