The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has responded to growing calls for his removal, warning that misinformation poses a major threat to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the remarks while speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria in Abuja, where he shifted focus from political attacks to emerging electoral risks driven by digital media.
He stated that the nature of electoral threats has evolved significantly, moving away from physical disruptions such as ballot snatching to more sophisticated digital manipulation. According to him, false information amplified through social media and broadcast platforms now represents the most dangerous challenge to credible elections.
He said, “the most dangerous weapon” in 2027 will not be violence, but “a smartphone-user’s lies amplified by an uncritical broadcast station.”
Amupitan emphasized that unchecked misinformation could distort public perception, weaken trust in the electoral process, and ultimately influence election outcomes. He stressed that the media must act responsibly to preserve democratic integrity.
Referencing provisions in the Electoral Act 2026, he noted that media organisations are legally required to provide equal airtime to all political parties and maintain fairness in political coverage. Violations, he warned, could attract penalties including fines of up to ₦5 million and possible imprisonment for responsible officials.
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The INEC chairman also highlighted regulatory measures such as a mandatory 24-hour media blackout before elections, designed to prevent last-minute voter manipulation, as well as laws criminalising hate speech and inflammatory content.
The comments come amid intensified pressure from opposition figures, particularly within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who have demanded his removal over allegations of bias and claims that INEC is enabling a one-party state ahead of 2027.
Responding to these accusations, Amupitan denied any partisan alignment, insisting that he is not involved in any agenda to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
He maintained that INEC’s decisions are guided strictly by legal frameworks and court orders, not political influence, reaffirming the commission’s independence.
Source: NaijaNews
