INEC postpones nationwide voter revalidation, denies controversial 2022 X post allegedly linked to Amupitan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general election.

Mr Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Haruna, who did not state reasons for the postponement, said the decision was taken at the commission’s meeting in Abuja.

“Following deliberations, the commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 general election,” he said.

He described voter revalidation as a critical component of INEC’s mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters.

According to him, the exercise is designed to verify and review existing voter records, ensure the accuracy of personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the integrity of the voter register.

He added that it would also provide registered voters the opportunity to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required.

Haruna reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) today, Friday, 10th April 2026, during which, among other issues, the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise was considered.

“Following deliberations, the Commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 General Election.

The voter revalidation exercise is a critical component of the Commission’s mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters. It is designed to verify and review existing voter records, ensure the accuracy of personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the overall integrity of the voter register.

“The exercise also aims to provide an opportunity for registered voters to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required.

INEC remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections.”

In a related development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has no personal account on X, formerly Twitter.

Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, in a statement on Friday said the office had noted a “malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny” circulating on social media.

Oketola said the false claim alleged that Amupitan had endorsed a partisan post on the X platform.

“The commission states categorically that this allegation is baseless, a fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X.

“He has never engaged in partisan commentary or associated with any political leaning in private or public capacity,” he said.

Oketola described the post as “a desperate attempt to impugn the chairman’s integrity” at a critical time of electoral reforms and preparations.

He added that it was “a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust” in the electoral body.

“Beyond this mischief, cybercriminals are using fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud Nigerians.

“We have identified and reported several such fraudulent accounts to security agencies in the past.

“This fabrication continues a criminal pattern exploiting the commission’s profile for illicit gains,” Oketola said.

He said the commission would not allow its leadership’s character to be undermined by “digital imposters and mischief-makers”.

According to him, INEC is working with security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track those behind the misinformation.

He said: “The commission will ensure these imposters face the full wrath of the law.

“Identity theft and dissemination of forged social media content are offences under the Cybercrimes Act.

“Those responsible will be tracked and prosecuted to deter others.”

He urged the public to disregard the claims, stressing that official information would only come through verified INEC channels.

Oketola reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections.