Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has cautioned journalists against the spread of fake news and political manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory Council Press Week held at the Transcorp Hilton.
Elumelu, speaking on the theme “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,” warned that misinformation, propaganda, and artificial intelligence-generated content now pose serious threats to democratic stability.
He said disinformation has evolved from a minor issue into a deliberate political weapon used to distort public opinion and weaken institutions.
“Disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda have moved from the fringes to take centre stage as dangerous tools for manipulation of political discourse.
“They unleash negative energies that distort public perception and opinion, weaken institutions, erode public trust, instigate division, restiveness, violence, and corrupt electoral outcomes,” he said.
The former lawmaker noted that political actors increasingly rely on fabricated narratives to influence public perception, adding that modern technology has worsened the problem.
“Disinformation is not simply the accidental spread of false information, it is often deliberate, strategic, and politically motivated with a desired outcome.
“As we approach the 2027 general elections, we are confronted with the threats of fabricated and AI generated news stories, doctored images and videos, and false data crafted by campaigners of falsehood, to inflame passions, scandalise individuals, and discredit institutions,” he said.
Elumelu urged journalists to remain professional and avoid being used as tools by political actors seeking to advance selfish interests.
He stressed that the media must prioritise verification of facts, despite pressure for speed in news reporting.
“In an era where speed often competes with accuracy, the discipline of verification must remain paramount.
“The media must never surrender to agents of disinformation, accuracy should never be sacrificed on the altar of immediacy and speed,” he said.
He further called for collaboration among stakeholders, including government support for fact-checking organisations and investment in technologies that can detect deepfakes and other forms of manipulated content.
Elumelu also advised politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than engaging in smear tactics.
“We must act as patriots, imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and not seek political power by all means.
“Those seeking elective offices must be ready to present their scorecards, competencies and vision instead of resorting to acts of desperation, spreading falsehood, promoting divisive arguments and overheating the polity to achieve selfish aims,” he said.
He commended the NUJ for its longstanding role in promoting democracy and good governance, urging journalists to remain steadfast in the fight against misinformation ahead of the 2027 elections.
