The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on journalists and media organizations in Ekiti State to act as partners in defending the integrity of the June 20 governorship election, warning that misinformation, fake results, and inflammatory online content remained major threats to the conduct of a credible poll.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Haruna, speaking at a Media Stakeholders’ Forum in Ado-Ekiti, described the Ekiti election as a strategic test case for Nigeria’s broader democratic credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said 13 political parties would participate in the poll across 16 local government areas, 117 wards, and 2,445 polling units.
Haruna said the commission had concluded major preparations including distribution plans for sensitive materials, the recruitment and training of ad hoc personnel, voter education campaigns, and security coordination through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. He confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal would be deployed to strengthen transparency and public trust.
He expressed concern over the growing spread of disinformation and manipulated content, saying misleading social media narratives had contributed to tension and distrust during previous elections. He urged journalists to intensify fact-checking and verify sensitive election information directly with INEC before publication, and to deepen voter education particularly among youths, women, and persons with disabilities.
Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi warned against the circulation of manipulated videos, sensational headlines, and false reports capable of heating up the political environment, and appealed to political parties and candidates to avoid hate speech and inciting rhetoric.
Kayode Babatuyi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Ekiti State Council, reaffirmed journalists’ commitment to ethical and responsible election coverage, disclosing that the NUJ had established an online chapel to regulate digital media practitioners and promote accountability among online publishers in the state.
