INEC warns over digital impersonation targeting commission as the Independent National Electoral Commission cautioned Nigerians against fake online accounts and manipulated content allegedly used to mislead the public about its leadership and operations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently intensified public warnings over the misuse of digital platforms to impersonate its officials and circulate false information.
The development follows reports of resurfaced social media content allegedly linked to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, which INEC has consistently dismissed as fabricated. The Commission maintains that its leadership does not operate personal accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and does not engage in partisan commentary online.
Authorities say the increasing use of digital platforms for impersonation and misinformation has become a growing concern in Nigeria’s information space, particularly ahead of heightened electoral activities and reforms.
According to INEC’s ICT Director, Lawrence Bayode, the controversy surrounding alleged posts attributed to the Commission’s Chairman is not linked to any verified official account but is instead part of a broader pattern of digital impersonation.
Bayode explained that INEC has officially stated that the Chairman does not maintain a personal X account, adding that any content attributed to such accounts should be disregarded as unauthorised.
He said the issue extends beyond individual misrepresentation, stressing the risks posed by misinformation campaigns targeting public institutions.
Bayode stated: “For me, this is not about an individual. This is about how digital impersonation and misinformation can target public institutions.”
INEC further reiterated through official communications that all verified information about the Commission and its leadership is disseminated only through institutional channels.
The Commission also noted that cybercriminals have been exploiting fake accounts to mislead Nigerians and potentially defraud unsuspecting members of the public. It said such cases have been reported to security agencies and are under investigation.
Authorities confirmed that collaboration with cyber-intelligence units is ongoing to identify individuals behind the impersonation and misinformation activities.
INEC also warned that perpetrators would be prosecuted under relevant provisions of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, emphasizing that identity theft and digital forgery are criminal offences.
Implications for Governance, Electoral Integrity, and Public Trust
The INEC warns over digital impersonation targeting commission highlights growing risks to information integrity in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
It underscores the challenges faced by public institutions in maintaining credibility amid widespread misinformation and impersonation campaigns.
The Commission’s response also reflects broader concerns about cybersecurity threats and the potential impact of digital manipulation on public trust in democratic institutions.
Strengthening verification systems and public awareness remains central to limiting the spread of fake content targeting electoral bodies and officials.
