Alleged X account puts Amupitan’s integrity in doubt — Adebayo

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has raised concerns over the integrity of Joash Amupitan following controversy surrounding an alleged X account linked to him.

Adebayo spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, saying the issue goes beyond technical arguments and affects public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said: “If it is traced to him and he denies it, then it raises questions about integrity.”

The SDP chieftain noted that while digital content can be manipulated, modern tools can verify ownership.

He said: “It is well known that in the digital space, you could manipulate anything, but there is forensic tracing of identity.”

Adebayo said the matter could be resolved through legal or legislative channels.

He said: “It is either someone will go to court to challenge his qualification on grounds of partisanship and present evidence or the National Assembly will conduct an investigation, possibly through its INEC committees.”

He, however, clarified that ownership of such an account would not automatically disqualify the INEC chairman under the law.

He said: “The requirement is that at the time of appointment, you should not be a member of any political party.

“It does not mean you could not have been a member in the past or that you did not vote.

“Someone who voted in 2023 can still become INEC chairman in 2025.”

Adebayo insisted that the core issue remains credibility and public trust.

He said: “In a simple matter like this, if you are already lying to the public and we are to trust you with determining election outcomes, then it becomes a question of integrity.”