Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has cautioned that misinformation amplified by the media may pose the greatest danger to Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Speaking at the 81st general assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja, Amupitan said elections are increasingly being shaped in the “information space,” making the role of broadcasters more critical than ever.
“The airwaves are the primary infrastructure of our democracy,” he said, warning that misinformation, hate speech, and unequal media access could distort the will of voters.
“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.
Amupitan highlighted provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 designed to curb these risks, including mandatory equal airtime for political parties and strict penalties for violations.
“The Act mandates fairness and balance. You must provide a level playing field,” he said.
He noted that media organisations that fail to comply risk fines of up to N5 million, while responsible officers could face imprisonment.
The INEC chairman also pointed to a 24-hour “media blackout” before election day and stricter rules against hate speech and inciting content.
Despite these measures, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as weak enforcement, commercialisation of airtime, and the dominance of well-funded political actors.
“Political actors with greater financial resources dominate broadcast space,” he said.
Amupitan called for stronger collaboration between INEC, BON, security agencies, and the judiciary, urging media organisations to uphold professionalism.
“Fact-check in real-time, mobilise voters’ turnout and choose professionalism over profit,” he said.
“Elections are no longer just contested at the polling units, they are contested in the information space.”