Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that misinformation amplified through broadcast platforms could pose the greatest threat to Nigeria’s 2027 General Election, urging media organisations to prioritise truth and professionalism in their coverage.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, delivered the warning on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, during the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he addressed Chief Executive Officers and senior broadcast executives on the role of the media in safeguarding electoral credibility.
“In the 2027 General Election, the most dangerous weapon will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but a smartphone user’s lie amplified by an uncritical broadcast station. We must ensure that Nigeria’s airwaves remain a sanctuary for truth, not a megaphone for chaos,” the INEC Chairman cautioned.
Prof. Amupitan described the information space as the new battleground for democratic competition, stressing that elections are no longer fought only at polling units but increasingly within the media ecosystem.
Highlighting the urgency of preparations, he noted that the countdown to the elections had already begun.
“As we sit here today, April 8, 2026, the countdown has begun: 283 days remain until the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on January 16, 2027, and 304 days until the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections on February 6, 2027,” he said.
The INEC Chairman emphasised that the credibility of the polls would depend not only on logistics and technology but also on responsible media conduct and adherence to the Electoral Act 2026.
Prof. Amupitan drew attention to Sections 99(2)–(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandate equal access to broadcast platforms for all political parties and candidates. He stressed that state-owned media must not be used to favour any political interest.
“With 22 registered political parties, fairness is not optional; it is statutory,” he said. “You must provide a level playing field, ensuring that no single interest group monopolises the airwaves.”
He warned that violations of the law attract significant sanctions, including fines running into millions of naira for organisations and principal officers, and in some cases, imprisonment.
The INEC Chairman also referenced Section 96(1) of the Act, which prohibits abusive, slanderous, or inflammatory content capable of provoking ethnic or religious tensions.
“The line between robust political debate and incitement must never be blurred,” Prof. Amupitan cautioned.
Prof. Amupitan further reminded broadcasters about the statutory 24-hour “cooling-off period” before election day, during which political campaigns and advertisements are prohibited.
“Elections are not only about campaigning; they are also about reflection,” he said. “The law creates a quiet space for citizens to make independent decisions free from undue influence.”
While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, the INEC Chairman stressed that broadcast platforms, as public resources, must be used responsibly, especially during elections.
The INEC Chairman also raised concerns about the rapid spread of broadcast content across digital platforms, noting that traditional regulation has become more complex.
“Broadcast content is no longer confined to radio and television,” he noted. “It is clipped, amplified, and weaponised online within minutes.”
He further highlighted challenges such as incumbency advantage in state-owned media, commercialisation of political airtime, and monitoring gaps across Nigeria’s expanding media space.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, Prof. Amupitan urged broadcasters to focus on three key responsibilities: real-time fact-checking, voter mobilisation, and prioritising professionalism over profit.
“Do not wait for the post-mortem,” he said. “Kill the fake news on your morning shows before it reaches the afternoon bulletin.”
He warned that voter apathy remains a major threat to Nigeria’s democracy and urged media organisations to encourage citizen participation.
“In this 2027 roadmap, the temptation to prioritise high-paying political adverts over balanced reporting will be great,” he added.
“Choose the sanctity of the ballot.”
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to transparency, Prof. Amupitan urged broadcasters to rely on official information from the Commission’s digital platforms and authorised spokespersons.
“Elections are no longer contested only at the polling units,” the INEC Chairman declared.
“They are contested in the information space. I urge the broadcast media to rise against mis- and disinformation so as to protect the sanctity of our electoral process.”
He concluded by stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends not only on voting processes but also on responsible communication and fair media coverage throughout the electoral cycle.
