The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has warned broadcast media operators against becoming channels for misinformation and inflammatory political content ahead of the 2027 General Election, declaring that Nigeria’s airwaves must remain “a sanctuary for truth, not a megaphone for chaos.”
Speaking on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the INEC Chairman said the biggest threat to the credibility of the 2027 elections may not come from ballot snatchers, but from falsehoods spread through digital devices and irresponsibly amplified by broadcast stations.
“In the 2027 General Election, the most dangerous weapon will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but a smartphone user’s lie amplified by an uncritical broadcast station,” he said. “We must ensure that Nigeria’s airwaves remain a sanctuary for truth, not a megaphone for chaos.”
Addressing Chief Executive Officers and senior broadcast executives, Prof. Amupitan described the media space as the new frontline of democratic contestation, noting that elections are no longer fought only at polling units, but increasingly in the information ecosystem.
He said with the countdown to the 2027 polls already underway, the integrity of the elections would depend not only on logistics and technology, but also on how responsibly the nation’s broadcast media manages political communication.
According to him, 283 days remain until the Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while 304 days remain until the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
The INEC Chairman used the occasion to highlight key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to media conduct, stressing that the law places clear statutory obligations on broadcast organisations.
Citing Sections 99(2) to 99(5) of the Act, Prof. Amupitan said publicly owned media platforms and other state apparatus must not be used to favour or disadvantage any political party or candidate. He noted that the law mandates equal allocation of airtime at similar hours, especially during prime time, as well as equal coverage and visibility in public print media.
“With 22 registered political parties, fairness is not optional; it is statutory,” he said. “You must provide a level playing field, ensuring that no single interest group monopolises the airwaves.”
He warned that violations of the law could attract severe sanctions, including heavy fines running into millions of naira for media organisations and principal officers, as well as possible imprisonment in some cases.
Prof. Amupitan also referenced Section 96(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits abusive, slanderous, or inflammatory language capable of provoking ethnic, religious, or sectional tension, warning that reckless political broadcasting in Nigeria’s plural society could destabilise the electoral environment.
“The line between robust political debate and incitement must never be blurred,” he cautioned.
He further reminded broadcasters of the statutory 24-hour “cooling-off period” before polling day, during which political advertisements and campaign broadcasts are prohibited.
According to him, the provision is intended to shield voters from last-minute propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation capable of distorting their judgment.
“Elections are not only about campaigning; they are also about reflection,” the INEC Chairman said. “The law creates a quiet space for citizens to make independent decisions free from undue influence.”
While defending the regulatory framework, Prof. Amupitan acknowledged that freedom of expression remains constitutionally protected under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), but noted that the use of public airwaves carries a corresponding obligation to ensure fairness and equitable access during elections.
He explained that while the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is responsible for licensing broadcasters and enforcing the Broadcasting Code, INEC retains the authority to issue guidelines for political campaigns and monitor compliance with electoral standards.
The INEC Chairman, however, admitted that challenges such as regulatory overlap, enforcement gaps, and limited monitoring capacity continue to affect oversight of Nigeria’s vast media environment.
He also raised concerns over perceived incumbency advantage in state-owned media and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, which he said often disadvantages smaller parties and less-resourced candidates.
Prof. Amupitan noted that the convergence of traditional broadcasting and digital platforms has further complicated the regulatory space, as broadcast content is now rapidly repackaged and amplified online.
“Broadcast content is no longer confined to radio and television,” he said. “It is clipped, amplified, and weaponised online within minutes.”
To address the emerging threats, the INEC Chairman proposed a range of legal, institutional, and industry reforms, including clearer statutory definitions of “equal access,” stronger coordination between INEC and the NBC, greater independence for regulatory institutions, and stricter internal editorial controls within media organisations.
He also called for stronger fact-checking systems and greater transparency in political advertising, including full disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.
In a direct charge to media executives, Prof. Amupitan urged broadcasters to fact-check in real time, mobilise citizens against voter apathy, and uphold professionalism over profit as the election season intensifies.
“Do not wait for the post-mortem,” he said. “Kill the fake news on your morning shows before it reaches the afternoon bulletin.”
Describing voter apathy as a major threat to democratic consolidation, the INEC Chairman said the media must play an active role in encouraging participation while resisting the temptation to prioritise high-paying political adverts over balanced and responsible reporting.
“In this 2027 roadmap, the temptation to prioritise high-paying political adverts over balanced reporting will be great,” he said. “Choose the sanctity of the ballot.”
Reaffirming that INEC’s official website and digital platforms remain the most authoritative sources of electoral information, Prof. Amupitan assured broadcasters of continued engagement with Commission officials authorised to communicate with the media.
He maintained that elections are now contested not only at polling units, but also in the information space, and urged broadcast organisations to rise against misinformation and disinformation in order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman concluded that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends not only on the conduct of voting, but also on the fairness and responsibility of the communication environment in which political competition takes place.
