Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on broadcast organisations to uphold accuracy and professionalism as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Amupitan warned that misinformation and unverified reports could erode public trust in the electoral process.
He stressed that with 22 registered political parties, broadcasters have a legal obligation to ensure fairness and balance in airtime allocation and political coverage, noting that equal access is critical to a credible democratic process.
The INEC chairman also cautioned against airing content that is abusive, inflammatory, or capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions, warning that such material could threaten national unity and disrupt elections.
Amupitan reminded media houses of the mandatory 24-hour âcooling-offâ period before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease to allow voters reflect before casting their ballots.
While acknowledging freedom of expression as a constitutional right, he emphasised that the airwaves remain a public resource that must be used responsibly and within legal boundaries.
He further highlighted ongoing challenges, including regulatory overlaps, enforcement gaps, and the growing convergence between traditional and digital media, which complicates monitoring and control of political messaging.
To address these concerns, Amupitan called for stronger collaboration among regulatory bodies, clearer guidelines on media access, and improved fact-checking systems. He also urged transparency in political advertising, including disclosure of sponsorship and pricing.
INEC, he added, will continue to encourage broadcasters to rely on its official channels for verified information, stressing that the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on logistics but also on the integrity of information shared with the public.