The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on media organisations and journalists to strengthen efforts against fake news, misinformation, and hate speech ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
The appeal was made during the INEC Forum for Media Executives, Producers, Reporters, and On-Air Personalities held in Ado-Ekiti as part of preparations for the off-cycle governorship poll.
In his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the media as a critical partner in protecting Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring credible elections.
According to him, accurate, balanced, and professional reporting remains essential to maintaining public trust and electoral stability.
Omoseyindemi disclosed that INEC had intensified preparations for the election through voter education campaigns, logistics planning, training of election personnel, and coordination with security agencies, political parties, civil society groups, and transport unions.
He said the commission was working to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive election across the state.
The commissioner, however, expressed concern over the increasing spread of fake news, manipulated videos, misleading headlines, and unverified election reports on both traditional and social media platforms.
He warned that such content could create panic, damage public confidence in the electoral process, and trigger unnecessary tension before and during the election.
Omoseyindemi urged journalists and media houses to verify all election-related information directly with INEC before publication or broadcast.
He also encouraged media professionals to focus on voter education, issue-based political reporting, and responsible journalism capable of reducing political tension.
Speaking at the forum, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu, described the Ekiti governorship election as an important test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the poll would take place across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and 2,445 polling units, with 13 political parties expected to participate.
Kudu identified voter apathy, vote buying, political violence, misinformation, and declining public trust in democratic institutions as major concerns facing the electoral process.
He called on media organisations to intensify voter education in English, Yoruba, and local dialects, particularly regarding the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and general voting procedures.
The commissioner also reminded journalists of provisions within the Electoral Act 2026 concerning balanced political coverage, restrictions on election-day broadcasting, and penalties for electoral offences such as vote buying.
Political observers say the Ekiti governorship election is likely to attract significant national attention because of its potential implications for political alignments and electoral confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
