The former minority leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has called on journalists, political actors and citizens to intensify efforts against disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that fake news and propaganda pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Elumelu made the call on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Press Week Lecture and Awards Night held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
He spoke on the theme, “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation”.
Elumelu said Nigeria stands at a critical point in its democratic journey, noting that the increasing use of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda could undermine public trust and weaken democratic institutions if not addressed.
READ ALSO:NUJ FCT Launches Press Week With Medical Outreach
He expressed concern over the rising use of artificial intelligence-generated content, doctored images and fabricated reports, warning that such tools were increasingly being deployed to mislead the public and distort political discourse ahead of the elections.
According to him, disinformation has become a major instrument for manipulation, capable of eroding trust in institutions, deepening divisions and influencing electoral outcomes.
Elumelu stressed that democracy can only function effectively when citizens have access to accurate and reliable information, adding that the spread of falsehoods threatens electoral integrity even before voting takes place.
He urged the media to uphold professionalism and resist pressures that could compromise ethical standards, stressing that accuracy must not be sacrificed for speed.
The former lawmaker called on journalists to strengthen fact-checking systems and adopt rigorous reporting standards anchored on credible sourcing and verification.
He also advised the media to deny undue prominence to political actors who rely on falsehood, propaganda and character attacks rather than issue-based campaigns.
Elumelu further urged political actors to embrace fairness, sportsmanship and issue-based engagement, calling on them to present their records, competence and vision to the electorate.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, described the theme of the Press Week as timely, noting that journalists have a critical role in safeguarding democracy and public trust.
She said journalists must remain committed to verifying facts, ensuring balanced reporting and upholding ethical standards, especially in an era of rapid misinformation on digital platforms.
Grace Ike commended Elumelu for delivering the keynote address and described him as a respected statesman whose contributions to democratic discourse remain significant.
She also acknowledged the presence of dignitaries at the event, including the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago; the former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje; and the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya.
She stated that the awards presented at the event were designed to recognise professionalism, courage and integrity in journalism and corporate leadership.
Grace Ike further emphasised that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the credibility, discipline and responsibility of the media.
