The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that fake news and unverified allegations of electoral fraud could undermine public confidence and discourage voter participation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Thursday, October 8, 2026, while addressing the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos. He was represented at the event by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Ayobami Salami.
Amupitan cautioned online publishers against spreading unverified reports, sensational headlines, alleged leaks and claims of electoral manipulation without proper investigation.
“When an unverified claim regarding electoral fraud is published, the damage to public confidence is immediate and enduring; subsequent retractions or fact-checks rarely repair the injury,” he said.
The INEC chairman urged journalists and digital publishers to prioritise accuracy over the pressure to break news ahead of competitors. He also advised media organisations to verify claims with the commission and other credible sources, particularly reports involving polling-unit results, alleged irregularities and purported result sheets.
He warned against presenting isolated operational problems as evidence of widespread electoral failure, stressing that election reporting should provide adequate context and distinguish verified facts from allegations.
As part of efforts to address the problem, INEC proposed working with GOCOP on digital fact-checking, stronger editorial safeguards against publishing unverified election results and altered documents, and voter education.
The warning is significant as Nigeria approaches another general election, when political competition and online campaigning are expected to intensify. False reports can spread rapidly through social media, potentially creating confusion, heightening tensions and discouraging eligible citizens from voting.
The commission has also identified artificial intelligence-generated videos, cloned voices and manipulated images as emerging threats to electoral credibility.
Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to INEC’s published timetable. The commission’s latest appeal highlights the shared responsibility of election officials, journalists, political actors and citizens to protect public trust through accurate information and responsible communication.
