Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, have called on journalists, political actors, and citizens to join forces against disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Tuesday at the NUJ FCT Council Press Week Lecture and Awards Night in Abuja, Elumelu said fake news and propaganda could undermine Nigeria’s democracy if not confronted decisively.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme _“2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,”_ he described disinformation as one of the greatest threats to the country’s democratic process.
“Nigeria stands at a defining moment ahead of 2027, facing not only familiar political challenges but also the weaponisation of disinformation,” he said. He warned that misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda have moved from the fringes to become tools for manipulating political discourse, distorting public perception, weakening institutions, eroding trust, and fueling division and violence.
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Elumelu said democracy depends on an informed public, but a space saturated with falsehoods and manipulative narratives fractures democratic foundations. He cited the growing use of fabricated news stories, AI-generated and doctored images and videos, and false data designed to inflame passions and discredit individuals and institutions.
He urged the media to uphold professionalism and resist pressure to sacrifice accuracy for speed. Media houses, he said, must strengthen their capacity to balance fact with speed, and ethical journalism grounded in objectivity, fairness, and balance is essential during electoral cycles. The media also has a duty to educate citizens to recognize false information and make informed choices.
Elumelu cautioned journalists against allowing politicians to manipulate coverage for selfish gain, saying the press should deny prominence to those who lack achievements and rely on falsehood and defamation. He urged politicians to play by the rules, present their scorecards and vision, and avoid spreading falsehoods to overheat the polity.
Earlier, NUJ FCT Council Chairman Comrade Grace Ike said the theme was timely as the country approaches another critical electoral season. She said journalists, as custodians of truth and watchdogs of society, carry a heavier responsibility in an age where misinformation spreads rapidly online, and called for fact-checking, balanced reporting, and adherence to ethical standards.
Ike commended Elumelu for the keynote lecture and acknowledged the presence of Niger State Governor Umar Bago, former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and NUJ National President Alhassan Yahya. She said the awards were meant to honor professionalism, courage, and integrity, and urged journalists to renew their resolve to defend democracy through responsible reporting.
