INEC chairman decries media threats to 2027 general elections
By Muhammed Sule
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has cautioned that the most dangerous weapon against the 2027 general elections will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but smartphone-user’s lie amplified by uncritical media outfits.
Amupitan who spoke at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on Wednesday, in Abuja, also lamented that despite its progressive aspirations, the Electoral Act 2026 raised a number of significant concerns that undermine its effectiveness in regulating broadcast media during elections.
He further noted that the central weakness lies in the indeterminacy of key standards, particularly the notion of “equitable access”, explaining that while the Act recognises the importance of fairness in media coverage, it does not provide clear criteria for measuring compliance.
Enumerating the challenges, Amupitan said that; “Notwithstanding the regulatory framework established under the Electoral Act 2026, the practical management of broadcast media during elections in Nigeria continues to face significant challenges that undermine the realisation of electoral fairness.
“One of the most persistent issues is the dominance of incumbents in media coverage, particularly through state-owned broadcasting outlets. Election observation reports have consistently shown that ruling parties enjoy disproportionate access to airtime and more favourable coverage, thereby skewing political visibility and influencing voter perception.
“This structural advantage weakens the principle of competitive neutrality that underpins democratic elections. Closely related to this is the commercialisation of political airtime, which places smaller political parties and less-resourced candidates at a distinct disadvantage.
“In practice, access to broadcast platforms is often determined by the ability to pay for political advertisements or sponsored programmes. As experts have observed, this trend transforms political communication into a market commodity, where financial strength rather than the merit of ideas dictates visibility.
“The consequence is a narrowing of the political space, with dominant actors crowding out alternative voices”, he emphasised.
Speaking on mobilisation for voters’ turnout, the former University don said the media are finding it difficult to strike a balance between professionalism and profit.
“A democracy experiencing voter apathy is a backsliding democracy. Since election is the lifeblood of democracy, help us mobilise Nigerians to come out and exercise their franchise in the coming elections.
“In this 2027 road-map, the temptation to prioritise high-paying political adverts over balanced reporting will be great. I urge you to choose the sanctity of the ballot. In the 2027 general election, the most dangerous weapon will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but a smartphone-user’s lie amplified by an uncritical broadcast station.
“We must ensure that the airwaves of Nigeria remain a sanctuary for the truth, not a megaphone for chaos. We urge you to promote accurate reporting at all times”, he appealed.
He further lamented that notwithstanding the advances, significant challenges have persisted.
“The persistence of incumbency advantage, the commercialisation of political airtime, weak enforcement mechanisms, and institutional fragmentation continue to undermine the realisation of equitable media access.
“In addition, emerging dynamics such as the convergence of traditional and digital media further complicate regulatory efforts, exposing gaps in the existing framework. These challenges highlight the limitations of relying solely on legal provisions without corresponding institutional capacity and political will.
“The analysis in this paper underscores that effective airwaves management requires a holistic approach that integrates legal clarity, institutional strength, and industry responsibility. Legal reforms must provide clear standards and robust enforcement mechanisms; institutional reforms must ensure independence, coordination, and accountability; while industry actors must uphold professional ethics and transparency in their operations.
“Only through this multi-layered approach can the objectives of fairness and inclusiveness in electoral communication be achieved. Eventually, the credibility of elections in Nigeria depends not only on the conduct of voting but also on the fairness of the communicative environment within which political competition occurs.
“To facilitate the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy through the broadcast media, it is essential to ensure that the airwaves are managed in a manner that promotes equal opportunity, informed choice, and democratic accountability.
“As political parties embark on primaries as required by the Electoral Act 2026, broadcast houses must perform their task fairly, within the ambit of the law and in the interest of the country. With 21 registered parties now in the ecosystem, your equal time obligations must be guided by the official leadership records held by INEC,” Amupitan noted.
