Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, has called on political actors, journalists and citizens to unite against the growing threat of disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Elumelu made the call on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Press Week and Awards ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Council held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,” the former lawmaker warned that fake news, propaganda and manipulated content could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process if left unchecked.
According to him, Nigeria is approaching a defining political moment as the country prepares for the 2027 elections amid growing concerns over the weaponisation of false information.
“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,” he said.
Elumelu, who recently secured his party’s ticket to contest for the House of Representatives in 2027, noted that democracy can only thrive when citizens are properly informed and able to make rational decisions.
He warned that a public space flooded with falsehoods and manipulative narratives would continue to weaken democratic institutions and deepen societal divisions.
The former Minority Leader also expressed concern over the increasing circulation of fabricated news stories, AI-generated and doctored images and videos, as well as false data aimed at inflaming tensions and discrediting individuals and institutions.
He urged journalists and media organisations to uphold professionalism and resist the temptation to sacrifice accuracy for speed in the race to break news.
“Ethical journalism grounded in objectivity, fairness and balance is essential during electoral cycles,” Elumelu stated, adding that the media must strengthen its capacity to combine speed with factual reporting.
He further charged journalists to educate citizens on how to identify false information and avoid being used by politicians to manipulate public opinion for selfish interests.
Elumelu also advised the media to deny prominence to politicians who rely on falsehoods, defamation and propaganda instead of presenting their achievements and vision to the electorate.
He appealed to members of the political class to play by democratic rules and avoid actions capable of overheating the polity ahead of the elections.
Earlier in her welcome address, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, said the media remained committed to its constitutional responsibility of informing and educating the public while serving as a bridge between the government and citizens.
She described the theme of the event as timely, particularly as Nigeria approaches another critical electoral season.
According to her, journalists, as custodians of truth and watchdogs of society, have a major responsibility in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly across digital platforms.
“We must verify facts, present balanced reports and uphold ethical standards at all times,” she said.
Ike commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Elumelu and former IGP Mike Okiro for supporting the union.
She urged journalists to renew their commitment to defending democracy through responsible and ethical reporting.
The NUJ chairman added that the awards presented during the ceremony were meant to recognise professionalism, courage and integrity in journalism.
