By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and key stakeholders have called for a coordinated national response to artificial intelligence-driven misinformation and disinformation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders warned that the growing misuse of artificial intelligence, including deepfake videos, cloned voices and fabricated election announcements, could mislead voters, manipulate public opinion and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the call in Abuja at the opening of the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity, themed, “Beyond the Ballot: AI, FIMI and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.”
Amupitan said threats to electoral integrity had moved beyond physical interference at polling units to sophisticated digital manipulation capable of influencing voters even before election day.
He acknowledged that artificial intelligence could improve election administration and institutional efficiency but warned that its misuse could create serious challenges for democratic governance.
According to him, political actors and other interests could exploit digital platforms to circulate fabricated content, distort public narratives and weaken citizens’ trust in election outcomes.
“INEC cannot police the truth alone,” the chairman declared, calling for stronger cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, media organisations, technology companies and civil society groups.
He disclosed that the Commission was strengthening its technological and communication capacity to identify manipulated content, verify suspicious information and issue timely clarifications through traditional and digital media platforms.
The INEC chairman also proposed clear inter-agency response procedures, institutionalised fact-checking channels and simulation exercises to prepare relevant institutions for potential AI-driven information crises during the electoral process.
However, he cautioned that efforts to combat misinformation must not become instruments for censorship or restrictions on legitimate political expression and press freedom.
Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who chaired the occasion, described artificial intelligence as a powerful technology with significant opportunities for improving efficiency across different sectors.
He, however, stressed the need to understand its potential risks, particularly its implications for electoral administration and democratic governance as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
Similarly, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, warned that elections could be undermined without anyone physically tampering with ballot papers.
He noted that fabricated announcements and false claims about election results could mislead citizens, create confusion and deepen public distrust.
Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote information integrity, strengthen media resilience and encourage responsible digital engagement in Nigeria.
Representing the Minister of Information, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah, said electoral integrity extended beyond voting, counting and announcing results to include the credibility of information available to citizens before, during and after elections.
He emphasised that access to accurate and reliable information remained essential for informed decision-making and meaningful democratic participation.
Ezughah also referenced Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, published in 2024, as a framework for promoting responsible, inclusive and accountable AI deployment.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, speaking on behalf of IPC, the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), International IDEA and DAI, said the battle for public trust was already taking place on digital platforms long before voters arrived at polling stations.
Arogundade called for stronger partnerships among media organisations, election management bodies and civil society groups to identify, verify and counter false electoral narratives.
He stressed the need to improve digital monitoring, strengthen verification capacity and ensure that credible information reaches Nigerians promptly.
The summit highlighted the growing importance of protecting Nigeria’s electoral information environment as emerging technologies reshape political communication and public engagement.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, stakeholders say collaboration, responsible technology use and access to credible information will be critical to protecting democratic participation and public confidence in the electoral process.
