In front of the 2027 elections, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to provide more stringent internal editing norms within media organizations.
Amupitan made this statement yesterday during the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja.
In a statement released yesterday by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, the chairman stated that the most hazardous weapon in the 2027 general election will not be a ballot-snatcher’s pistol but rather a smartphone user’s falsehood magnified by an uncritical television station.
According to him, Nigeria’s airwaves must continue to be a haven for the truth rather than a loudspeaker for mayhem.
Elections are now contested more and more within the media ecosystem rather than only at polling places, according to Amupitan, who called the information space the new frontline of democratic contestation.
“As we sit here today, April 8, 2026, the countdown has begun: 304 days remain until the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections on February 6, 2027, and 283 days remain until the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on January 16, 2027,” he said.
The INEC Chairman noted that the legitimacy of those surveys will depend not only on technology and logistics but also on the responsible management of the airwaves.
Additionally, he emphasized Section 96(1) of the Act, which forbids the use of derogatory, defamatory, or provocative language that could incite conflict between different ethnic, religious, or sectional groups.
Amupitan said that negligent political broadcasting could exacerbate tensions and destabilize the electoral climate in a pluralistic democracy like Nigeria. He contends that there should never be a blurring of the boundaries between vigorous political discourse and incitement.
Amupitan also reminded broadcasters that political commercials and campaign broadcasts are not allowed during the legally mandated 24-hour “cooling-off period” that precedes election day.
The INEC Chairman clarified that the clause was intended to shield voters from last-minute propaganda, false information, or emotional blackmail that could skew their vote.
“Elections involve more than just campaigning; they also include introspection. He said, “The law creates a quiet space for citizens to make independent decisions free from undue influence.”
The INEC chairman accepted the fundamental protection of freedom of expression under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) while defending the regulatory framework, pointing out that regulation must be properly balanced to maintain media independence.
Amupitan emphasized that since the airwaves are a limited public resource, the state has an obligation to guarantee fair access, especially during elections.
“With 22 registered political parties, fairness is not optional; it is statutory,” he continued. In order to prevent any one interest group from monopolizing the airwaves, you must provide a level playing field.
The INEC Chairman pointed out that infractions result in severe consequences, such as fines for media companies and their key officers that can reach millions of naira and, in some cases, incarceration.
He clarified, “The sanction regime highlights the seriousness with which electoral fairness in media coverage is treated under the law.”
Because broadcast content is now quickly magnified online, the INEC Chairman cautioned that the confluence of traditional broadcasting and digital platforms has further complicated regulation.
“Broadcast content is no longer limited to television and radio. In a matter of minutes, it is weaponized, magnified, and snipped online, he claimed.
Amupitan suggested institutional, legal, and industry reforms to allay these worries. These included stricter internal editorial guidelines within media organizations, improved independence of regulatory bodies, better coordination between INEC and the NBC, and more precise statutory definitions of “equal access.”
He demanded more openness in political advertising, including transparent disclosure of sponsorship and pricing arrangements, as well as improved fact-checking procedures.
Elections are the lifeblood of democracy, and the INEC Chairman warned that voter apathy poses a serious threat to democratic consolidation. He also warned that as campaigns gain momentum, there will be an increasing temptation to prioritize high-paying political advertisements over fair reporting.
“The temptation to prioritize high-paying political advertisements over balanced reporting will be great in this 2027 roadmap,” stated Amupitan. Elections are now contested outside of voting places. In the information space, they are contested. To preserve the integrity of our political process, I want the broadcast media to take a stand against misinformation.
