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INEC Chairman Amupitan Under Fire as Old Tweets Reveal Him Supporting Tinubu, APC

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, is facing growing criticism following the resurfacing of old social media posts that suggest clear political leanings toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The issue was brought to light in a detailed commentary by Nigerian-American professor, Farooq Kperogi.

In his write-up, he pointed to “SEVERAL verifiable past tweets by INEC chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan from his time as a professor at the University of Jos unmistakably reveal partisan sympathies for the APC and, more specifically, for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He added that if Amupitan values the integrity of the institution he leads, “he should own up to them, acknowledge the moral burden they place on his office, and resign.”

Before now, questions about Amupitan’s neutrality had circulated quietly in political circles. However, the matter gained more attention after his alleged involvement in the internal crisis of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Critics say his actions at the time appeared to align with efforts to weaken opposition forces ahead of future elections.

The controversy deepened on Friday when more evidence surfaced. Records showed that in 2023, prior to his appointment as INEC chairman, an X (formerly Twitter) account bearing Amupitan’s name engaged in political conversations that openly supported the APC.

One of such posts dates back to March 18, 2023. On that day, the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, celebrated flipping his “nearby,” “Igbo-dominated” polling unit in favour of the APC. In response, Amupitan wrote: “Victory is sure.”

The response has drawn strong reactions. People say the statement was not just a casual remark but a clear endorsement of a partisan claim. The reference to an “Igbo-dominated” area has also raised concerns about ethnic undertones in political messaging during that period.

A day earlier, on March 17, 2023, another exchange added to the controversy. A social media user alleged that supporters of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi circulated a misleading image to discredit Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliot. Reacting to the claim, Amupitan wrote: “They are evil in the 24th [sic] century.”

Another post on April 25, 2023, further fueled the debate. A pro-Tinubu account celebrated the reception the president received at the Abuja airport. Amupitan responded with a single word: “Asiwaju.”

Though brief, the word has significant political meaning. It is widely used by supporters of Tinubu as a symbol of loyalty and admiration. For critics, the use of that term in a public exchange suggests participation in partisan discourse rather than neutral observation.

Following the resurfacing of these posts, the account linked to Amupitan reportedly underwent several changes. Its handle was altered, later rebranded as a “parody” account, and eventually made private. Despite these changes, digital records have continued to link the posts to the original identity.

This sequence of events has raised further questions about transparency. Observers note that the timing of the changes appears to coincide with increased scrutiny, leading to suspicions that efforts were made to limit public access to past activities.

Interestingly, Farooq Kperogi admitted that he had previously defended Amupitan. In an earlier column, he described him as “an accomplished professor of law and a revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has no known record of partisan political affiliations.” However, he now says new evidence has changed that assessment.

The core issue, according to analysts, is not whether Amupitan held political views before his appointment. Rather, it is the nature and visibility of those views, and how they affect public confidence in INEC as an impartial body.

Electoral credibility in Nigeria has often been a subject of national concern. Experts warn that even the perception of bias at the top of the electoral commission can weaken trust in the entire process. For many Nigerians, neutrality is not just expected but essential.

So far, Amupitan has not personally addressed the allegations in detail. However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, issued a statement claiming that the social media account in question is “fake.”

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FAAN announces additional health screening measures, enhanced Ebola surveillance at Nigerian airports

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured travellers and other airport users that enhanced health surveillance measures have been activated across the country’s international airports following renewed Ebola concerns in parts of Central Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAAN said the measures were introduced in collaboration with Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant agencies to strengthen preparedness and prevent possible health risks.

According to the authority, surveillance and passenger monitoring have been intensified, particularly for travellers arriving from high-risk regions.

“Passengers are being screened for symptoms associated with Ebola, and any suspected case will be promptly isolated and subjected to secondary health checks in line with established national and international health protocols,” the statement said.

FAAN noted that additional emergency response procedures have also been reinforced while airport personnel have undergone increased sensitisation as part of precautionary efforts.

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The authority stressed that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria but said it remains vigilant in safeguarding public health and ensuring safe airport operations.

“FAAN remains vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining safe airport operations,” the agency stated.

READ ALSO: FAAN nabs four unauthorised persons at Akure airport

Passengers were also advised to remain calm, cooperate with health screening procedures and report any symptoms to health officials at the airports.

The development comes as health authorities across parts of Africa continue to monitor Ebola-related concerns and strengthen border surveillance to prevent cross-border transmission.

Nigeria’s aviation and health authorities have previously activated similar emergency screening measures during periods of global and regional disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier Ebola scares.


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Startup Battlefield 200 applications close May 27

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Your shot at VC access, global visibility, TechCrunch coverage, and $100,000 in equity-free funding is gone in a week.

Startup Battlefield 200 applications close May 27. If you’re building a breakout startup — or know a founder who is — this is the moment to act.

Apply today for the opportunity to take the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, October 13-15, alongside 200 of the world’s most promising early-stage startups.

TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 2023
Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

The clock is ticking for early-stage founders

Pre-Series A founders, consider this your final countdown reminder: the strongest startups are already entering the arena, and the application window is closing fast.

If your startup has already been nominated, don’t wait to complete your application. This final week moves quickly, and last-minute submissions risk getting buried as applications surge ahead of the deadline.

Know a startup that deserves the spotlight? Nominate them now so they still have time to apply before May 27.

The companies that define categories rarely start polished

Some of the most consequential companies in tech history didn’t launch with splashy fundraising announcements. They started with a pitch.

Dropbox demoed to a room full of skeptics. Cloudflare took the stage before most people understood what edge networking meant. Discord was still a scrappy gaming startup called Hammer & Chisel.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Startup Battlefield
Image Credits:TechCrunch

They all passed through the same crucible: Startup Battlefield 200. That’s not a coincidence — it’s a pattern. And it starts with an application.

Startup Battlefield 200 has never been a competition for the most polished companies. It’s a competition for the most promising ones. Pre-launch is fine. No revenue is fine. What matters is whether what you’re building genuinely changes something — not incrementally, but meaningfully.

If you or a founder you know is building something impactful, then the application itself becomes the first pitch. Apply before May 27.

More than a pitch competition

Startup Battlefield 200 is where breakout companies get discovered.

Selected startups will showcase live on the Disrupt Stage in front of 10,000+ attendees, leading VCs, global media, and the broader TechCrunch audience. This is your opportunity to gain investor exposure, receive direct VC feedback, and prove your company belongs among the next generation of category-defining startups.

Every one of the 200 selected companies receives:

  • A fully funded three-day exhibition booth at Disrupt
  • Founder masterclasses with world-class VCs and operators
  • A featured startup profile in the event app
  • Press list access and lead-generation opportunities
  • Opportunities for TechCrunch editorial coverage, podcasts, and speaking appearances as the company grows

And every selected company pitches, whether on the Disrupt Stage or the Pitch Showcase Stage. Both put founders in front of the investors, media, and partners who attend Disrupt specifically to find what’s next.

You don’t need to make the top 20 for this experience to change your trajectory. Get started by nominating and applying here.

The Startup Battlefield 200 track record speaks for itself

More than 1,700 companies have competed in Startup Battlefield 200. Together, they’ve raised over $32 billion and generated more than 250 exits, including acquisitions by Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Amazon.

The network runs so deep that alumni have even acquired each other: Dropbox acquired fellow Battlefield 200 alum DocSend in 2021.

This is also the same launchpad that helped accelerate companies like Fitbit, Trello, and Mint.

Behind every one of those outcomes was a founder willing to make a bet on themselves publicly, in front of people who were paying attention. Apply and learn more here.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for ambitious early-stage startups building innovative, potentially category-defining products.

Applications are open globally across all industries. Most selected companies are pre-Series A, though select Series A startups may qualify on a case-by-case basis.

To apply, startups should have:

  • Founders with vision, execution, and real traction

Thousands apply every year. Only 200 are selected. Just 20 finalists pitch live on the Disrupt Stage. One startup takes the crown and wins $100,000 in equity-free funding.

One week left to make your move

The founders who wait until they feel ready often wait too long. You do not need to be polished. You need to be promising.

If you’ve been sitting on this, here’s the reality: the worst outcome is you don’t get selected this cycle — and you come back next year with a stronger application because you went through the process.

The stage matters. The community lasts. The milestone is real. But the deadline is now one week away.

If you’re building something category-defining — or know a startup that deserves the spotlight — submit your nomination and complete your application before May 27.

Startup Battlefield 200 2026
Image Credits:TechCrunch

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