INEC’s Amupitan warns of biggest danger facing 2027 election

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned that false information is the biggest danger to Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

He said this on Wednesday while speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja.

Amupitan explained that the media plays a very important role in protecting democracy. He described radio and television platforms as key tools that can influence public opinion and urged broadcasters to be responsible as the election approaches.

He said election threats have changed over time, especially with the rise of social media and digital platforms.

According to him, “In the 2027 General Election, the most dangerous weapon will not be guns, but false information shared through smartphones and spread by careless broadcasting.”

The INEC chairman pointed to parts of the Electoral Act 2026 that are meant to control such problems. These include giving equal airtime to all political parties and punishing media organisations that fail to follow the rules.

He said any station that breaks the law could be fined up to N5 million, and those in charge could even face jail time.

Amupitan also spoke about rules guiding political messages. He said there will be a 24-hour ban on political broadcasts before election day to stop last-minute attempts to influence voters. He also warned against hate speech and messages that could cause religious or ethnic conflict.

Despite these rules, he admitted that there are still problems. These include weak enforcement of laws, the buying and selling of airtime, and unfair advantages for politicians who have more money.

To solve these issues, he called for better cooperation between INEC, broadcasting organisations, security agencies, and the judiciary. He also advised media houses to focus on accuracy and professionalism instead of making money.

He added that elections today are not only fought at polling units but also online, where people’s opinions can be shaped before voting begins.

Amupitan’s comments came shortly after opposition leaders staged a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The protest involved Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi, along with members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). They accused the INEC chairman of working with the ruling party to weaken their chances in the 2027 election.

However, Amupitan denied the claims. In a recent interview, he said he is not part of any plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

He also explained that INEC only followed court orders in handling the ADC leadership issue and did not act on its own.