The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, over allegations of partisan bias linked to a controversial social media post.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Speaking on Tuesday during the inauguration of the corporate headquarters of the National Revenue Service in Abuja, Akpabio dismissed claims that a resurfaced tweet suggested political alignment by the INEC chairman, insisting the statement attributed to him was neutral.
“Then they changed and said, okay, let us attack the people going to do the election. And they brought out a tweet where they said, the chairman of INEC said victory is sure. But he didn’t say victory is sure for APC. He did not say victory is sure for PDP. He just said victory is sure,” he said.
Akpabio added that the context of the statement had been misrepresented, noting that the alleged post dated back to a period before the individual assumed office.
“And the man said that it’s manipulated. Nobody wants to hear. But for me, whether it is manipulated or not, he said victory is sure. He was not chairman of INEC. He was just a mere lecturer. Anybody can support anybody who he wishes to,” he stated.
@thenigerialawyer “He Didn’t Mention APC Or PDP” — Akpabio Defends ‘Victory Is Sure’ Comment, Insists INEC Chair’s Alleged Post Was Misinterpreted, Not Evidence Of Bias
He, however, stressed that public office holders must remain impartial once entrusted with national responsibilities.
“But when you are on a seat, you have to think of the entire country and all the populace. And that’s what they are doing,” he added.
The controversy stems from a 2023 post originally shared by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, which resurfaced online and was linked by critics to an account allegedly associated with the INEC chairman.
The post read, “Today I rejoice, not just for delivering my polling unit, but for winning 7 of the 10 polling units in my nearby Igbo-dominated community where APC have never won. I sat with the youth of the community and forged a partnership.”
It later circulated alongside claims that an account bearing the chairman’s name responded with the phrase “Victory is sure,” triggering allegations of partisanship.
INEC has repeatedly dismissed the claims, describing them as false and part of a coordinated misinformation campaign.
The commission maintains that the chairman does not operate any personal X account and has never engaged in partisan political commentary.
Further addressing the issue, INEC’s ICT Director, Lawrence Bayode, said the commission would not rely on artificial intelligence analysis or screenshots in its ongoing investigation into the alleged impersonation.
According to him, the commission is working with security agencies and external forensic experts to verify the authenticity of the accounts and content involved, as part of efforts to safeguard public confidence in the electoral process.
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
