Political Storm Ahead Of 2027: Independent National Electoral Commission Boss Amupitan Reacts To Sack Calls

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has cautioned that misinformation and disinformation could pose the biggest threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Amupitan raised this concern on Wednesday while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria in Abuja.

Highlighting the importance of the media, he described Nigeria’s broadcasting sector as vital to the survival of democracy. He noted that electoral risks have shifted from physical disruptions to digital manipulation, with social media now playing a major role.

According to him, the greatest danger in 2027 will not come from traditional electoral violence, but from false information spread through digital platforms and amplified by uncritical media outlets.

He warned that when misinformation is left unchecked and further promoted by mainstream media, it can weaken public confidence and distort election outcomes.

The INEC chairman referenced provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 designed to regulate media conduct during elections. He explained that the law requires fairness and equal access, including balanced airtime for all political parties.

Amupitan added that violations of these rules could attract severe penalties, including fines of up to ₦5 million for organisations, while responsible individuals could face imprisonment.

He also pointed to key guidelines on political communication, such as a mandatory 24-hour media blackout before election day, aimed at preventing last-minute influence on voters.

In addition, he stressed that the law criminalises hate speech and any content capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or regional tensions.

Despite these measures, Amupitan acknowledged ongoing challenges in regulating political broadcasting. He cited weak enforcement, the commercialisation of airtime, and the dominance of wealthy politicians in the media space as major concerns.

He warned that financially powerful political actors often control broadcast visibility, creating an uneven playing field and undermining fairness.

Call for Collaboration and Professionalism
To tackle these issues, Amupitan called for stronger cooperation between INEC, BON, security agencies, and the judiciary. He also urged media organisations to prioritise accuracy and professionalism over profit.

He emphasised the need for real-time fact-checking and encouraged the media to support voter mobilisation responsibly.

According to him, modern elections are no longer decided only at polling units but are also shaped within the information space long before voting begins.

Opposition Protest at INEC Headquarters
Amupitan’s remarks came shortly after opposition leaders staged a protest at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.

The demonstration featured prominent figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi, alongside members of the African Democratic Congress.

The protesters accused the INEC chairman of allegedly aligning with the ruling party to weaken opposition chances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Responding to the allegations in an interview, Amupitan denied any bias or political involvement. He insisted he is not part of any plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Addressing concerns over the ADC leadership dispute, he maintained that the commission acted strictly in line with court rulings, stressing that INEC did not independently make the controversial decisions.

He concluded by reiterating that the integrity of the 2027 elections will largely depend on how effectively misinformation is tackled, warning that failure to address it could erode public trust and compromise the electoral process.