‘They Are Evil in the 24th Century’: Fact-Check Links INEC Chairman Amupitan to Pro-Tinubu 𝕏 Account That Mocked Obi Supporters

‘They Are Evil in the 24th Century’: Fact-Check Links INEC Chairman Amupitan to Pro-Tinubu 𝕏 Account That Mocked Obi Supporters

A fact-check investigation has established a credible digital link between the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, and a controversial 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account that posted pro-Tinubu content while deriding supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections.

The investigation, conducted by Daily Trust, examined the digital footprint of an account that operated under the handle @joashamupitan and posted content widely interpreted as partisan commentary favouring the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, now President Bola Tinubu.

The findings have triggered fresh calls for the INEC chairman’s resignation, with opposition figures and civil society organisations questioning the neutrality of the electoral umpire ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Controversial Posts

According to the fact-check report, the account—identified by the permanent user ID 1567086242164101120—was created on September 6, 2022, several months before the general elections.

Investigators uncovered multiple posts that appeared to align the account with the APC while mocking the opposition. Among the most cited entries:

• March 17, 2023: Reacting to a discussion about supporters of Peter Obi, the account posted: “They are evil in the 24th century.”
• March 18, 2023: Responding to a post by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, the account wrote: “Victory is sure.”
• April 25, 2023: When a pro-Tinubu supporter celebrated the then-president-elect’s reception at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the account replied with a single word: “Asiwaju.”

These posts have resurfaced online in recent days, sparking widespread outrage, particularly among the Obidient movement—the digitally active and highly mobilised support base of Peter Obi.

The Digital Trail: How the Link Was Established

The fact-check focused on technical identifiers that remain constant even when account details are changed.

Digital analysts noted that while 𝕏 allows users to alter their usernames and display names at will, the user ID is permanent and unchangeable. This creates a traceable history that connects all past and present iterations of an account.

The investigation confirmed that user ID 1567086242164101120 originally operated under the handle @joashamupitan.

However, amid growing public scrutiny on April 10, 2026, the account underwent significant changes. The handle was changed to @Sundayvibe00, the account was locked, and it was subsequently tagged as a “Parody Account.”

Around the same period, a new account bearing the handle @joashamupitan appeared on the platform. This development has raised questions about whether the original handle was vacated to create confusion or whether the new account represents an impersonation attempt.

The Phone Number Question

The fact-check also examined separate claims circulating online suggesting that the account might be linked to a phone number allegedly associated with Prof. Amupitan through two-factor authentication.

However, the report stated clearly that this specific claim could not be independently verified using available open-source intelligence tools.

“No direct forensic confirmation was obtained linking the phone number to the 𝕏 account,” the report noted, explaining that such verification would require access to internal platform data or telecommunications records beyond public reach.

INEC and Amupitan Respond

Reacting to the allegations, Prof. Amupitan, through his media aide, issued a categorical denial of any connection to the account.

The INEC chairman maintained that he does not operate any personal account on the 𝕏 platform and has never engaged in partisan commentary online. He stressed that his neutrality extends to both his official responsibilities and private conduct.

INEC also issued an official statement through its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola. The commission described the account as “fake” and noted that it had undergone multiple alterations, suggesting it may not be a reliable source.

“The account in question has been altered multiple times and bears hallmarks of impersonation,” the INEC statement read. “The Chairman has no association whatsoever with any partisan commentary on social media.”

Fact-Check Verdict

Despite the denials, the fact-check concluded that there is credible evidence establishing a link between the account and the INEC chairman’s name and digital history.

The investigation found that an 𝕏 account previously operated under the handle @joashamupitan with a consistent user ID and a posting history that engaged with real-time political events in a manner sympathetic to the APC and critical of the opposition.

However, the report acknowledged limitations in reaching a definitive conclusion. The emergence of a second account with the same handle, combined with the absence of irrefutable technical proof such as a confirmed phone number or email address, means the full picture remains incomplete.

Based on the available findings, the claim linking the account to the INEC chairman was rated “mostly true.”

Resignation Calls Intensify

The “mostly true” verdict has amplified calls for Prof. Amupitan’s immediate resignation.

Political parties, civil society organisations, and online advocacy groups argue that even the appearance of bias at the highest level of Nigeria’s electoral commission is sufficient grounds for new leadership, particularly with the 2027 general election cycle drawing closer.

“The INEC Chairman must be above suspicion,” said a joint statement from a coalition of pro-democracy groups. “A fact-check rating of ‘mostly true’ linking him to partisan commentary is a stain on the integrity of the commission. He should step aside while a full investigation is conducted.”

What Next?

As of the time of this report, Prof. Amupitan remains in office, and the presidency has not issued any official reaction to the controversy.

However, with political temperatures already rising ahead of the 2027 elections, the pressure on INEC to resolve questions about its neutrality is unlikely to subside.

For now, the “24th century” post continues to circulate widely on Nigerian social media—a digital artefact that opposition voices point to as evidence that the referee of the nation’s democracy may have been wearing partisan colours.

This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as reactions from political stakeholders, civil society, and the international community emerge.