The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged misinformation amplified by media as the most serious threat to Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the 81st general assembly of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja, INEC chairman Joash Amupitan said the future of elections is increasingly determined in the “information space,” placing broadcasters at the heart of democratic accountability.
“The airwaves are the primary infrastructure of our democracy,” Amupitan said. “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 highlighted key safeguards in the Electoral Act 2026, including mandatory equal airtime for political parties, a 24-hour media blackout before election day, and penalties for violations.
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Media organizations could face fines up to N5 million, while individual officers risk imprisonment for failing to ensure balanced coverage.
Amupitan also warned that political actors with deep financial resources often dominate media space, undermining fairness and the principle of equal access.
He urged broadcasters to adopt stronger editorial standards, verify information in real time, and prioritize professionalism over profit.
“Elections are no longer contested solely at the polling units; they are fought in the information space,” Amupitan said, calling for closer collaboration between INEC, media outlets, security agencies, and the judiciary to uphold democratic integrity.