INEC warns fake news could undermine Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo governorship poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed deep concern regarding the surge in fake news and misinformation in the lead-up to the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states.

INEC warned that this escalating issue could potentially have a severe impact on the conduct of elections in the country if not swiftly addressed.

During a two-day capacity-building training for INEC Press Corps members in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, National Commissioner and member of the Commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Kunle Ajayi, conveyed these apprehensions on Monday.

The training, which was generously sponsored by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), centered on the theme, “Ethical, Safety Practices, and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Governorship Elections.”

Ajayi expressed his disdain for the proliferation of fake news, hate speech, and misinformation during the 2023 general elections, characterizing these occurrences as highly distressing. He underscored the imperative need to combat this menace before it could disrupt the management of elections in Nigeria.

“The Commission’s unpleasant encounter with fake news during the 2023 general elections has underscored the potential of fake news to pose a significant threat to election management in Nigeria if left unchecked. The prevalence of misinformation, fake news, hate speech, and the manipulation of disinformation is a cause for great concern within the Commission,” Ajayi declared.

The National Commissioner further expounded that election-related disinformation had evolved into a prominent strategy employed by unscrupulous individuals and groups within the political sphere to manipulate the public to their advantage. He emphasized that such propaganda, regardless of its potential to undermine peace and stability in the electoral process and the nation as a whole, was being increasingly used.

In less than a month, on November 11, residents of Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states will exercise their electoral rights to choose new governors as INEC conducts the off-cycle governorship polls in these states.