Amupitan: Most dangerous weapon against 2027 polls will be lies amplified by media

Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman

Amupitan on Media Lies and the 2027 Polls

Joash Amupitan, chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has issued a stark warning about the dangers misinformation poses to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the 81st general assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja, he emphasized that the most potent threat to democracy will not come from physical violence but from lies spread through digital platforms and amplified by uncritical media outlets.

In his words, “the most dangerous weapon will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but a smartphone-user’s lies amplified by an uncritical broadcast station.”

Amupitan underscored the critical role of broadcasters, describing the airwaves as “the primary infrastructure of our democracy.” He warned that misinformation, hate speech, and unequal access to media platforms could distort the will of the electorate.

To counter these risks, he highlighted new provisions in the Electoral Act 2026, which mandate equal airtime for political parties, impose fines of up to N5 million for violations, and even prescribe imprisonment for individual offenders.

The Act also enforces a 24-hour media blackout before election day to prevent last-minute voter manipulation and criminalizes hate speech or inciting content that could inflame religious, ethnic, or sectional tensions.

Despite these legal safeguards, Amupitan acknowledged persistent challenges such as weak enforcement, commercialization of airtime, and the dominance of incumbents in media coverage. He noted that political actors with greater financial resources often monopolize broadcast space, undermining the principle of equal access.

To bridge these gaps, he called for stronger collaboration between INEC, BON, security agencies, and the judiciary, alongside stricter editorial standards within media organizations. He urged broadcasters to prioritize professionalism over profit, engage in real-time fact-checking, and mobilize voter turnout responsibly.

This warning reflects a broader reality: elections are no longer contested solely at polling units but increasingly in the information space. The amplification of lies through media channels could erode trust in democratic institutions and destabilize the electoral process.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 polls, the vigilance of broadcasters, regulators, and civil society will be crucial in safeguarding the truth and ensuring that democracy is not undermined by misinformation.