“Amupitan’s ‘Victory Is Sure’ Tweet, Doesn’t Mean He’s Partisan” – Akpabio Claims

Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, over allegations of political bias arising from a resurfaced social media post.

The controversy centres on an alleged post on X in which the phrase “victory is sure” was attributed to an account linked to Amupitan.

The post was made in reaction to an X comment made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader, who had narrated how he allegedly made sure his party won in his area which is a known stronghold of the opposition..

The issue sparked claims of partisan alignment ahead of the 2027 electoral activities.

The issue gained traction after screenshots circulated online suggesting that the INEC chairman had interacted with or endorsed a politically charged message linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress during the 2023 election cycle.

However, Akpabio dismissed the allegations on Tuesday while speaking at the inauguration of the corporate headquarters of the National Revenue Service in Abuja.

He insisted that the statement had been misrepresented and taken out of context.

According to him, the post in question did not reference any political party and should not be interpreted as evidence of bias against any side of Nigeria’s political divide.

“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,” Akpabio said.

He further clarified that the alleged statement predated Amupitan’s appointment as INEC chairman, noting that at the time he was still a university lecturer and a private citizen not bound by public office restrictions.

“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 added.

Akpabio also emphasised the distinction between private conduct before public office and the neutrality required of officials once appointed into sensitive national roles.

“He was not chairman of INEC. He was just a mere lecturer. Anybody can support anybody who he wishes to,” he said.

However, the Senate President cautioned that public office holders must maintain strict impartiality and ensure their actions reflect national, rather than partisan, interest.

“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 stated.

The controversy stems from a 2023 social media post which resurfaced online and was linked by critics to an account alleged to have responded with the phrase “victory is sure.”

The claims have continued to generate debate on social media, with some opposition figures questioning the neutrality of the electoral umpire.

But supporters of Amupitan argue that the allegation is part of a broader misinformation campaign aimed at undermining public trust in electoral institutions.

INEC has repeatedly denied any connection between the chairman and the alleged account, describing the narrative as false, misleading, and part of coordinated efforts to discredit the commission ahead of future elections.

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