INEC CHAIRMAN CHARGES MEDIA TO ENSURE ACCURATE REPORTING
Read Time:2 Minute, 4 Second
BY ALICE IDOWU
The head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, warned on Friday that Nigeria’s voting process is still at risk from false information. He also praised the role of journalists in covering elections.
Amupitan was speaking at an event in Abuja where a book titled *The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists* was presented.
The book was written by Segun Ojumu, the leader of the INEC Press Corps. He called the book a detailed record of the hard work, dangers, and hidden experiences of reporters who cover Nigeria’s complicated elections.
He said the press corps is becoming more important as political tensions increase before the 2026 elections, including local elections in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as governorship races in Ekiti and Osun states.
“Reporters are essential in connecting the commission to the people who vote,” he said.
He gave examples of how journalists helped during the Anambra governorship election and the current Continuous Voter Registration process.
Amupitan warned that misinformation, misinterpretation, and deliberate distortion can undermine even the strongest electoral systems.
He urged journalists to rely on official INEC channels for verification and stressed that public trust, not technology, ultimately determines electoral credibility.
“Our official website and digital platforms are authoritative sources. The era of relying on rumours must end,” he said, calling for cooperation to combat electoral malpractice such as vote-buying and rigging.
The INEC chairman ended by thanking Ojumu and the news reporters for recording how elections happen. He said that elections are best remembered when the media is honest and brings people together.
Segun Ojumu talked about his book as a way to honor the bravery and growth of Nigeria’s election reporters.
He said, “This is a story of courage,” and pointed out that journalists need to keep up with new technology and look at information as it comes in. He encouraged ongoing learning and staying strong, saying that democracy works well when reporters are safe.
The event had important people there, like Kayode Egbetokun, who represents the head of the police; Yusuf Dantalle, who leads the group that brings parties together; Aminu Idris, who is in charge of elections in the capital; and top INEC staff.
In the past few years, false information has made it harder for Nigeria’s elections to be fair.
Because of this, INEC has taken steps like giving instant online updates and working closely with journalists to keep people‘s trust in the system.
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