Elumelu Warns Journalists Against ‘Dangerous’ Disinformation Ahead Of 2027 Elections

A former minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has warned that the growing spread of disinformation, propaganda and digitally manipulated content poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking as a guest lecturer at the 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council in Abuja, Elumelu urged journalists to remain steadfast as “custodians of truth” and defenders of democratic values amid increasing misinformation.

In the lecture themed, “2027 Elections: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,” the former lawmaker described the topic as timely and highly relevant to Nigeria’s current political climate.

According to him, Nigeria is approaching a defining moment in its democratic journey as political actors and interest groups increasingly deploy misinformation and propaganda to manipulate public opinion and distort political discourse.

Elumelu said democracy thrives when the citizens are well informed and capable of making rational choices, but warned that falsehoods, distortions and manipulative narratives weaken institutions, erode public trust and threaten the integrity of elections long before ballots are cast.

He noted that disinformation had evolved beyond the accidental spread of false information, stressing that it is now often deliberate, strategic and politically motivated.

Olumelu expressed concern over the role of social media and digital platforms in accelerating the spread of false information, saying advances in artificial intelligence had further complicated the challenge.

He warned against the growing circulation of AI-generated fake stories, doctored videos, and manipulated images, capable of inflaming tensions, scandalising individuals, and discrediting institutions.

According to him, the situation is worsened by high illiteracy levels and poor public enlightenment, which make many citizens vulnerable to rumours, speculation and manipulation.

“The result is a dangerously misinformed public that can become apathetic to democratic participation while also being agitated and prone to violence,” he said.

Elumelu maintained that if left unchecked, disinformation could derail the 2027 electoral process and undermine democratic stability in the country.

He, therefore, urged media organisations to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms and embrace responsible journalism by prioritising accuracy over speed.

“The media must leverage technology to balance the need for gatekeeping with society’s demand for speed, especially on social media,” he stated.

He also advised journalists to be wary of political actors seeking to manipulate media platforms for personal or partisan interests.