SDP’s Adebayo, Tech Expert Disagree on Alleged INEC Chairman’s X Account

Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and technology expert Gbenga Sesan have expressed differing opinions on the controversy surrounding an X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly linked to Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adebayo acknowledged that digital content can be manipulated but maintained that forensic analysis can still trace account ownership. He suggested the issue could be resolved through legal action or a legislative inquiry.

In the digital space, anything can be manipulated, but forensic tracing of identity is possible. The matter could go to court or be investigated by the National Assembly, possibly through its INEC committees, Adebayo said.

He further clarified that even if the account were proven to belong to Amupitan, it would not automatically disqualify him from office, as the law only prohibits political party membership at the time of appointment—not prior affiliations or voting history.

Someone who voted in 2023 can still become INEC chairman in 2025. The requirement is not to be a party member at the point of appointment, he added.

However, Adebayo emphasized that integrity would be at stake if the account were indeed traced to Amupitan and he denied it.

If you’re caught lying to the public while entrusted with overseeing elections, it becomes an issue of integrity. If dishonesty is established, resignation may be necessary, he said.

On the other hand, Sesan questioned INEC’s outright denial that Amupitan ever operated an X account and called for more scrutiny.

INEC says he never had a Twitter account, but when a public institution denies something, more questions should be asked, Sesan noted.

Sesan pointed out that digital archiving tools, such as the Wayback Machine, show that an account bearing Amupitan’s name once existed. He also explained that setting up a social media account requires access to a verified email or phone number, which could help confirm ownership.

You can’t open an account with someone’s email or phone without access to verification messages, he said.

Sesan criticized INEC’s denial as counterproductive, arguing that such dismissals often increase public suspicion.

The controversy centers on claims that the alleged X account posted partisan content supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general elections. The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some opposition figures and civil society groups demanding further investigation, while others dismiss the allegations as politically motivated. Social media users have also circulated screenshots purportedly linking the account to Amupitan’s academic profile.

INEC has denied the allegations, insisting that Amupitan neither owns nor operates any personal X account and has never made partisan comments. The commission described the accusations as a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny aimed at undermining its neutrality, and warned that cybercriminals often create fake accounts in the names of public officials. It added that it is working with security agencies to identify the culprits.

Amupitan was nominated by President Tinubu in October 2025 and confirmed by the Senate as INEC chairman, succeeding Mahmood Yakubu.