2027 Elections: Elumelu, Ike Urge Media To Tackle Disinformation
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, former Minority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, have raised serious concerns over the growing dangers of fake news, misinformation and politically motivated propaganda.
They have warned that the Nigeria’s democratic future could be jeopardized if urgent measures are not taken.
The alarm was raised during 2026 NUJ FCT Council Press Week and Awards ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, with the theme, “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation.”
Delivering the keynote address, Elumelu described disinformation as one of the most dangerous threats confronting democratic societies globally, stressing that Nigeria is entering a critical phase in its democratic journey where the integrity of elections could be undermined long before ballots are cast.
According to him, the deliberate spread of falsehood, propaganda and manipulated narratives has evolved into a powerful political weapon capable of distorting public opinion, weakening democratic institutions and inflaming violence.
“At the moment, Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey,” Elumelu declared. “As we look ahead to the 2027 general elections, we are confronted not only with familiar political challenges but also with a rapidly evolving and more complex threat the weaponisation of disinformation.”
The former lawmaker warned that social media platforms and emerging digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, have significantly intensified the spread of fake content through fabricated stories, doctored videos, manipulated images and AI-generated materials designed to deceive the public and discredit political opponents.
He expressed concern that false narratives are increasingly being amplified online at alarming speed, creating echo chambers where misinformation is reinforced rather than challenged, thereby deepening divisions and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.
Elumelu further lamented that Nigeria’s high illiteracy level and weak public enlightenment systems have worsened the challenge, making many citizens vulnerable to rumours, hearsay and unverified information.
“The result is a dangerously misinformed public that is apathetic to democratic participation and at the same time agitated and prone to violence and unpatriotic tendencies,” he stated.
He cautioned that if left unchecked, disinformation could derail the 2027 electoral process and destabilize democratic governance in the country.
The former Minority Leader emphasized that the media remains the cornerstone of democracy and must therefore rise to its responsibility as custodians of truth and defenders of public accountability.
He charged journalists to resist pressure from political actors seeking to manipulate reports for selfish interests and warned media organisations against sacrificing accuracy for speed in the competition for breaking news.
“In an era where speed often competes with accuracy, the discipline of verification must remain paramount,” Elumelu said. “Accuracy should never be sacrificed on the altar of immediacy and speed.”
He urged media houses to strengthen their technological capacity to detect and counter fake news while enhancing investigative reporting and fact-checking mechanisms capable of responding swiftly to misinformation campaigns.
Elumelu also stressed the need for issue-based political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that politicians seeking public office must focus on competence, vision and achievements rather than propaganda, character assassination and divisive rhetoric.
“Those seeking elective offices must be ready to present their scorecards, competencies and vision instead of resorting to acts of desperation, spreading falsehood and overheating the polity to achieve selfish aims,” he said.
Speaking on the role of government and institutions, Elumelu advocated stronger regulatory frameworks that can effectively combat disinformation without suppressing press freedom. He also called for increased support for independent fact-checking organisations and expanded digital literacy programmes to help citizens identify false information online.
He noted that while technological innovations have improved access to information, they have also introduced new challenges that require collaborative responses from government agencies, media organisations, civil society and technology experts.
“Democracy is not self-sustaining; it must be consciously defended and nurtured,” Elumelu declared, calling for collective action to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future.
Earlier in her remarks, NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Grace Ike, described the theme of the Press Week as timely and highly significant, warning that the increasing spread of fake news and manipulated narratives poses a serious threat to national unity, peace and democratic stability.
She stressed that journalists are not merely observers of national events but “custodians of truth and defenders of public interest,” whose responsibility has become even greater in the digital age.
“In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly through digital platforms, our responsibility as journalists has become even greater,” Ike stated. “We must continue to verify facts, present balanced reports and uphold the ethics that give credibility to our profession.”
She urged media practitioners across the country to remain courageous, ethical and professional, insisting that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the integrity and discipline of the media.
“The future of our democracy depends in no small measure on the courage, discipline and integrity of the media,” she added.
Ike also commended journalists and media professionals honoured during the awards ceremony for their commitment to ethical journalism and professionalism, noting that their contributions continue to strengthen public confidence in the media.
She further appreciated corporate organisations, particularly the management of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, for supporting the NUJ FCT Council in hosting the event which featured lectures, policy discussions and strategic engagements centered on democracy, governance, media responsibility, national development and the fight against disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The high point of the was the presentation of awards to distinguished media executives, outstanding journalists and notable personalities in recognition of their contributions to ethical journalism, media development, national discourse and democratic advancement in Nigeria.
The event ended with renewed calls for journalists, political leaders, institutions and citizens to work collectively toward protecting Nigeria’s democracy from the dangers of fake news, propaganda and digital manipulation as the country prepares for another crucial electoral cycle.
