TDA storm of public outrage has erupted on social media following a controversial X post by Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, in which he denied any affiliation with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Instead of quelling suspicions, the statement has triggered widespread calls for his immediate sack or resignation, with many Nigerians accusing him of partisan bias and questioning his suitability for any role tied to the nation’s electoral process.
In the post, Amupitan stated: “I want to address a recent claim circulating that I am affiliated with or working for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress.
“Let me state this clearly and without ambiguity — I am not a member of APC, nor do I work for or represent the party in any capacity.”
He urged Nigerians to “verify information before drawing conclusions” and to “keep conversations respectful, factual, and free from unnecessary accusations.”
However, the message backfired dramatically.
It ended with an unedited prompt clearly copied from ChatGPT: “If you want, I can make it more aggressive, more diplomatic, or shorter for quick posting.”
The gaffe has fueled accusations of incompetence, laziness, and dishonesty, with critics arguing that a professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) should not rely on AI to draft a simple denial—let alone forget to edit it.
Swift Backlash
The backlash has been swift and overwhelmingly negative.
Within hours, the thread attracted thousands of replies, reposts, and quotes, with many users explicitly demanding Amupitan’s removal.
Comments ranged from mockery to outright calls for resignation, with several highlighting concerns over electoral integrity if he were to play any role in future elections, including 2027.
Among the most scathing reactions:
One user wrote: “You are so shameless to be denying what the whole world can see… If there be any honour left in you then just resign immediately.”
Another declared: “This man will be the worst election umpire in Nigerian history.
“Nigerians should not allow this man to conduct election. It very obvious that he was recruited for Tinubu’s coronation in 2027.”
Others labelled him “daft,” “incompetent,” and “a bloody bastard,” while repeatedly urging: “Resign now” and “Just resign.”
The controversy has amplified existing suspicions about Amupitan’s alleged ties to the APC and raised fresh questions about impartiality in Nigeria’s electoral body (INEC).
Many view the episode as symptomatic of deeper issues in governance and institutional credibility.
As of this day, the post continues to trend, with engagement exceeding 400,000 views and growing.
Nigerians across political lines appear united in one demand: sack or resignation of Amupitan to safeguard public trust in the democratic process.
Social Media History and Recent Controversy
The most persistent allegations center on resurfaced 2023 X (Twitter) activity from an account linked to Amupitan (created September 2022).
Critics point to posts showing support for APC victories, including a reply of “Victory is sure” to APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel after a polling unit flip, and other pro-APC/Lagos election comments.
Some posts claim he was a “card-carrying” APC member or openly campaigned for Tinubu.
Amupitan has denied owning certain accounts or posting partisan content.
His media team has called some resurfaced posts “fabrications,” and INEC has issued statements distancing him from alleged old accounts (noting username changes and privacy settings post-appointment).
This denial escalated with his April 10, 2026, X post (the one that sparked the original backlash), where he explicitly stated:
“I am not a member of APC, nor do I work for or represent the party in any capacity.”
The post included an unedited ChatGPT prompt, amplifying accusations of inauthenticity.
Recent X discussions (as of April 11, 2026) continue to cite these old tweets and the appointment as proof of bias, with users demanding resignation or court action to test his impartiality.
No Confirmed Formal Membership
Despite intense scrutiny:
No public records, APC membership registers, or official filings confirm Amupitan as a card-carrying member.
He has repeatedly promised impartiality, vowing to “serve without bias” and defend Nigeria’s democracy.
Current Public and Political Reaction
The controversy has reignited calls for Amupitan’s resignation or sack, especially from opposition figures and lawyers who previously urged the Senate to disqualify him over perceived conflicts.
APC supporters defend the appointment as merit-based, while critics view any perceived ties—real or not—as a threat to INEC’s independence ahead of future elections.
Fact-checks, however, have dismantled the strongest legal-team claim, and public distrust persists due to the optics of an INEC chair nominated by the ruling party.
Whether these amount to actual bias remains a matter of intense debate, with opposition groups pushing for judicial or legislative intervention to resolve the lingering questions of neutrality.
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