The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has warned that the spread of false information, especially through the media, could pose the greatest danger to Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 81st general assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria in Abuja, Amupitan said elections are increasingly shaped by what happens in the information space, making broadcasters central to protecting democratic credibility.
Misinformation Greater Threat Than Violence
He described the broadcast space as the backbone of democracy, cautioning that misinformation, hate speech, and unequal access to media platforms could distort the will of voters.
“In the 2027 general election, the most dangerous weapon may not be guns in the hands of ballot snatchers, but falsehoods spread by smartphone users and amplified by uncritical broadcast stations,” he said.
RELATED NEWS:
- Amupitan: INEC Ready for Electronic Results in 2027, But No Election Is Perfect
- 2027: Amupitan Vows to End Rigging, Vote-Buying
- APC Did Not Use INEC to Weaken ADC, Opposition: Aliyu Faruk
Amupitan pointed to provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 designed to tackle these concerns, including the requirement for equal airtime for all political parties and sanctions for breaches.
“The law demands fairness and balance. Broadcasters must ensure a level playing field,” he said, adding that media organisations that violate the rule risk fines of up to N5 million, while responsible officials could face jail terms.
Restrictions On Political Messaging
He also noted restrictions on political messaging, including a 24-hour blackout on campaign broadcasts before election day to prevent last-minute voter manipulation.
The INEC chairman said the law criminalises hate speech and inflammatory content, urging political actors to avoid language capable of provoking religious, ethnic or sectional tensions.
Challenges Persist Despite Legal Framework
Despite these measures, he identified weak enforcement, the commercialisation of airtime and the dominance of well-funded political actors as ongoing challenges.
According to him, politicians with deeper pockets often crowd out others in the broadcast space, undermining equal access.
Call For Stronger Collaboration And Professionalism
To address this, Amupitan called for stronger collaboration between INEC, BON, security agencies and the judiciary, alongside stricter editorial standards in media organisations.
He urged broadcasters to prioritise real-time fact-checking, encourage voter participation and uphold professionalism over profit.
“Elections are no longer fought only at polling units; they are also won or lost in the information space,” he said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
