2027: Amupitan warns sensational reports could worsen voter apathy
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned online publishers against sensational and unverified reports ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said misinformation, fake news and manipulated content could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and discourage Nigerians from participating in the elections.
He spoke in Abuja at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with INEC.
The INEC chairman expressed concern over the growing use of deepfakes, manipulated audio-visual materials and coordinated fake news campaigns, saying such content could create confusion and affect voters’ confidence.
He also warned against the premature publication of unverified election results, noting that such reports could incite unrest and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
Amupitan urged news organisations to strengthen their fact-checking mechanisms and verify election-related information with INEC before publication.
He said the commission was willing to provide timely information to journalists to reduce the space for misinformation and ensure that Nigerians receive accurate information ahead of the 2027 polls.
The INEC chairman said the commission had no preferred candidate or political party, adding that its responsibility was to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
