INEC, UNESCO Mobilize Against Misinformation and Electoral Violence Ahead of 2027 Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in strategic partnership with UNESCO and the United Nations Information Centre, has launched a proactive initiative to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. During a high-level stakeholders’ dialogue in Abuja organized by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), INEC officials emphasized that the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media has become a primary threat to public confidence in electoral institutions. By fostering collaborative efforts among political actors, the media, and youth groups, the commission aims to create a robust firewall against false narratives that precede and incite real-world electoral violence.
Mrs. Esther Chibukem, Assistant Director of Information and Publication at INEC, highlighted that malicious fabrications—such as false reports regarding the death of the INEC chairman—are deliberate tactics designed to manipulate public opinion and undermine national stability. She drew a crucial distinction between misinformation, which is often shared inadvertently, and disinformation, which is strategically weaponized to provoke unrest. According to Chibukem, physical violence during elections is rarely an isolated event; rather, it is the terminal phase of a cycle that begins with inflammatory hate speech, electoral inducement, and the toxic manipulation of digital content designed to destabilize the political climate.
Drawing from her personal harrowing experience as a presiding officer in Kogi State, Chibukem provided a sobering account of the hazards faced by election personnel. During a previous election, she was abducted by armed political thugs and forced at knifepoint to compromise ballot materials for a specific party. This chilling encounter serves as a stark reminder of the impunity that persists when political actors exploit vulnerable youth, often compensating them with meager sums—such as 5,000 naira and a loaf of bread—to perpetrate violence. She noted the irony that those behind such schemes frequently shield their own families from these risks, fueling a dangerous environment that necessitates urgent collective action.
To combat these challenges, INEC is pushing for a broader approach to security that transcends election day, advocating for peacebuilding that starts at the level of party primaries and continues through the final resolution of disputes. The commission stressed that strengthening internal party democracy and establishing transparent grievance mechanisms are essential to curbing the culture of violence. By utilizing structures like the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), INEC hopes to equip stakeholders with the practical skills needed to identify early warning signs of conflict and respond to toxic information flows with verifiable, accurate data.
International partners underscore that Nigeria’s large, tech-savvy youth population plays a pivotal role in the nation’s democratic trajectory. Dimitri Sanga, Regional Representative of UNESCO’s Sahel Office, noted that while digital platforms democratize communication, they also facilitate the rise of AI-generated content and deep-fakes that threaten the foundation of electoral processes. He argued that media and information literacy is no longer a luxury but an essential 21st-century survival skill. By empowering citizens to critically verify the information they consume and share, UNESCO seeks to foster a resilient digital landscape where democracy can thrive despite the challenges posed by modern technology.
Concluding the dialogue, Dr. Sharon Omotosho, Director of IMILI, reiterated the institution’s commitment to grooming a cadre of ethical communicators who will cascade their training throughout Nigeria to ensure integrity in the upcoming electoral cycle. The initiative focuses on the responsibility of digital creators and political actors to verify content before dissemination and to refrain from deploying platforms for incitement. As preparations for 2027 intensify, the emphasis remains clear: safeguarding the ballot requires a sustained commitment to information integrity, where all stakeholders prioritize national stability over partisan gain, ensuring the democratic process remains reflective of the true will of the people.