By our Reporter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) called for stronger collaboration with media professionals in combating fake news, misinformation, and hate speech ahead of the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election. The call was made during the INEC Forum for Media Executives, Producers, Reporters, and On-Air Personalities held in Ado-Ekiti as part of preparations for the off-cycle governorship poll.
In his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the media as a strategic partner in safeguarding democracy, stressing that the success of any election depends greatly on accurate, balanced, and professional reportage. He disclosed that INEC had intensified preparations through voter education, deployment planning for sensitive and non-sensitive materials, training of election personnel, and continuous engagement with security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and transport unions to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive election.
Dr. Omoseyindemi, however, raised concerns over the growing spread of fake news, manipulated videos, misleading headlines, and unverified election reports, warning that such content could create panic, undermine public trust, and threaten electoral peace. He urged media executives, producers, reporters, and on-air personalities to verify election-related information with INEC before publication, amplify official voter education messages, promote issue-based campaigns, and avoid sensational or inflammatory reports capable of heating up the polity.
Speaking at the forum, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mallam Mohammed Kudu, described the Ekiti governorship election as a significant political test ahead of the 2027 general elections. He noted that the election would take place across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and 2,445 polling units, with 13 political parties participating. According to him, the election comes amid concerns over voter apathy, vote buying, political violence, misinformation, and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.
Kudu called on media organisations to intensify voter education in English, Yoruba, and local dialects, particularly on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and voting procedures. He also reminded journalists of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding balanced coverage, election-day broadcast restrictions, and the legal consequences of vote buying and other electoral offences.
In a goodwill message, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, revealed that 54 media organisations and 470 media personnel had already processed accreditation to cover the election. He warned that fake news, deep fakes, misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, and foreign information manipulation now pose serious threats to peaceful elections. Oketola urged journalists, especially on-air personalities and field reporters, to verify information before broadcast and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports capable of triggering panic or violence. He assured journalists that INEC communication channels remained open for prompt clarification and updates throughout the election period.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, commended INEC for recognizing the role of the media in strengthening democracy. He said the NUJ had introduced measures to regulate online journalism and curb fake news by bringing online journalists into the union’s structure for accountability and ethical compliance.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, explained that the forum was designed to deepen collaboration between INEC and media professionals, provide accurate updates on election preparations, and clarify electoral processes, timelines, and legal frameworks.
The forum also featured technical presentations by Mrs. Oderinde Titilayo of the ICT Department on the use of BVAS and IReV, while Dr. Rahmon Badru, Head of Electoral Operations in Ekiti State, educated participants on voting procedures and election-day operations.
An interactive session and update on online media accreditation were led by Deputy Director of Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, while the vote of thanks was delivered by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Ekiti State, Mrs. Adenike Aribisala.
