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Claim: An X user shared an image claiming INEC chairperson Joash Amupitan welcomed President Tinubu at the airport.
Verdict: False! The person in the photo is the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, not Amupitan as claimed.
Full Text
President Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Sept. 29, 2026, after his extended stay in Europe, where he engaged with French President Emmanuel Macron. Dignitaries and state governors welcomed President Tinubu.
Amid this welcome celebration, an X user, @trigottista, shared an image (archived here) of a man welcoming the president and claimed the person is the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.
The post’s caption reads, “No be INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan be this? INEC Chairman went to welcome Tinubu?”
As of Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, the image generated over 451,000 views, 14,500 likes, 658 comments, 4,800 reposts, and 458 bookmarks.
In reaction to the post, most X users were certain that the man in the image was the INEC chairman, while a few were in doubt.
One comment by @Sammyok9 reads, “Nigeria go learn politics tire for Tinubu hand, the man has everything under his control and Una still dey think say election will be free and fair.”
Another user, @Tony97159274, wrote, “That is what they make you think so you will sit at home on election day. The less turnout, the easier it is to rig.”
Meanwhile, @Micheal54178414 stated, “That’s not him.”
Some Facebook users also shared the claim, as seen here (archived here) and here. This user, Tustar Direx, shared the claim (archived here), and another user shared it here.
Given its virality across platforms and the nature of the claim, DUBAWA decided to verify the image to confirm the person’s identity.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a Google Reverse Image Search on the image, which linked us to a Television Continental (TVC) post on Instagram.
In the clip, some state governors welcomed Tinubu alongside the alleged INEC chairman, whom President Tinubu called “Ibrahim.”
Similar videos were also uploaded here and here.
Furthermore, we conducted keyword searches on the president’s arrival in Nigeria. A Punch report published on Sept. 30, 2026, stated that the president’s aircraft landed at the presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, after he ended his working vacation in the United Kingdom and France.
The report further added that the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, were among the government officials who welcomed President Tinubu at the airport.
Chronicles NG also reported that Masari was among the people who met the president at the airport when he returned.
Furthermore, no news outlet reported that the INEC chairman was at the airport to welcome the president.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s findings revealed that the man in the claimant’s post is the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, not the INEC chairperson. Therefore, the claim is false.