INEC warns fake news may threaten 2027 elections
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has warned that the spread of misinformation, particularly through broadcast media, could pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Amupitan gave the warning on Wednesday while speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja, where he stressed that elections are increasingly being influenced by information flow rather than just activities at polling units.
“Elections are no longer just contested at the polling units, they are contested in the information space,” he said.
He described broadcast media as a critical pillar of democracy and cautioned that misinformation, hate speech and unequal access to media platforms could undermine the will of the electorate if not properly managed.
“In the 2027 General Election, the most dangerous weapon will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but a smartphone-user’s lies amplified by an uncritical broadcast station,” he said.
The INEC chairman also highlighted provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 aimed at ensuring fairness in political communication, including mandatory equal airtime for political parties and penalties for violations.
“The Act mandates fairness and balance. You must provide a level playing field,” Amupitan said.
According to him, media organisations that fail to comply with the equal airtime provision risk fines of up to N5 million, while responsible officials could face possible imprisonment.
