INEC, UNESCO Rally Stakeholders Against Misinformation, Electoral Violence Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with UNESCO and other partners, has intensified efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general election, urging political actors, media practitioners, youth groups and civil society organisations to uphold information integrity in order to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ dialogue on Promoting Electoral Peace Through Media and Information Literacy, organised by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) with the support of UNESCO and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Director of Information and Publication at INEC, Mrs Esther Chibukem, warned that the rapid spread of false information, particularly through social media, poses a serious threat to public confidence in elections and democratic institutions.

She recalled several instances where fabricated reports had circulated online, including false claims about the death of the INEC Chairman and other misleading narratives targeting the Commission.

“Today you hear that the INEC Chairman is dead on social media. Tomorrow you hear another false story that did not emanate from the Commission.

“Because the world has become global, such information spreads rapidly and can do enormous damage if it is not properly addressed,” she said.

According to her, rebuilding public trust remains one of INEC’s top priorities as preparations intensify for the forthcoming electoral cycle.

“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian is carried along through a transparent process anchored on integrity.

Public trust is very key, and the Commission is engaging stakeholders across all levels, including political parties, the media, youth groups and communities down to the local government level,” she stated.

Chibukem distinguished between misinformation and disinformation, explaining that while misinformation involves sharing false information without the intention to deceive, disinformation is deliberately created and disseminated to manipulate public opinion, incite unrest or undermine democratic institutions.

She stressed that electoral violence rarely begins with physical attacks but is often triggered by false narratives, fake news, hate speech, deepfakes and deliberate manipulation of information.

“Violence does not just start with violence. It begins with misinformation, fake news, hate speech, inducement, vote buying and several other triggers that create tension before escalating into violence,” she said.

The INEC official noted that the objective of the engagement was to equip stakeholders with practical skills to identify early warning signs of electoral violence, respond promptly to fake reports and strengthen collaboration among security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and political parties.

She listed the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), peace accords, civil society organisations and the media among key institutions expected to work together in preventing election-related violence.

Chibukem recounted how she was once abducted by armed political thugs while serving as a presiding officer during an election in Kogi State.

She narrated that the hoodlums forcefully took her, along with ballot materials, to a secluded location where she was compelled under the threat of guns and knives to thumbprint ballot papers in favour of a political party.

“I found myself in a room with about eleven armed men. They told me their party must win. At that point, I had to choose between my life and the ballots before me,” she recalled.

She said the incident underscored the dangers faced by electoral officials and reinforced the need for collective responsibility in protecting the integrity of elections.

The INEC official also lamented how young people are often recruited by politicians to perpetrate electoral violence for meagre financial rewards.

“I asked one of the young men how much he was paid. He told me ₦5,000 and a loaf of bread, while those who sent them had their own children studying abroad. That tells us why every stakeholder must work together to stop electoral violence,” she added.

Chibukem identified vote buying, political thuggery, hate speech, weak internal party democracy and impunity as major drivers of election-related conflict, urging political parties to strengthen internal democracy and establish transparent grievance mechanisms.

She further emphasised that peacebuilding must begin long before election day, starting from voter registration, party primaries and campaigns through voting and post-election dispute resolution.

“Do not start peacebuilding on election day. The most effective peace plan begins at the primaries and continues beyond the declaration of election results,” she advised.

Earlier, the Regional Representative of UNESCO’s Sahel Office, Dimitri Sanga, said Nigeria’s young population occupies a strategic position in shaping democratic discourse, especially in the digital era where artificial intelligence and emerging technologies have transformed political communication.

Sanga noted that while digital platforms have expanded opportunities for civic participation, they have also accelerated the spread of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and AI-generated manipulations capable of undermining democratic processes.

He described media and information literacy as an essential skill for the 21st century, saying it equips citizens with the capacity to critically assess information, identify manipulated content and engage responsibly online.

“The integrity of elections depends not only on institutions but also on the quality of information citizens share and consume. When false narratives dominate public discourse, trust in democratic institutions is weakened. But when citizens are equipped with critical thinking skills and ethical communication practices, democracy becomes stronger, more inclusive and more resilient,” he said.

Sanga reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in promoting information integrity, strengthening democratic values and empowering young people to become responsible digital citizens through education, collaboration and dialogue.

Also speaking, Director of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), Dr Sharon Omotosho, described the dialogue as timely, noting that elections remain one of the most critical periods requiring responsible communication.

She said the institute, established this year as UNESCO’s first Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute globally, is working to strengthen ethical communication and responsible use of digital platforms ahead of future elections.

According to her, participants drawn from political parties, media organisations, government institutions and civil society groups are expected to cascade the knowledge acquired during the training to their various organisations and communities.

“We are not here simply to hold another meeting. Participants are being equipped with practical knowledge and given the responsibility to monitor the information they produce, verify what they share and train others within their spheres of influence,” Omotosho said.

She urged media professionals, political actors and digital content creators to avoid messages capable of inciting violence and instead deploy their platforms to promote peaceful participation before, during and after elections.