Osun Guber: INEC urges journalists to counter misinformation

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged journalists and media organisations to verify every election-related claim before publication, describing disinformation and misinformation as major threats to the credibility of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, gave the charge on Thursday during a dialogue and interactive forum with journalists and critical stakeholders organised by the International Press Centre, IPC, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II, EU-SDGN II, programme in Osogbo.

Speaking on the theme, ‘INEC’s Preparations, the Media’s Role in Voter Education, and Countering Electoral Disinformation and Misinformation Ahead of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election’, Babalola said false information could create unnecessary panic, suppress voter turnout, damage public confidence and trigger avoidable tensions.

She urged journalists to remain vigilant by verifying election-related claims, relying on official information from INEC and other authorised institutions, promptly correcting inaccurate reports and working with fact-checking organisations to debunk false narratives.

According to her, “One of the greatest threats to credible elections today is the deliberate spread of false information. Disinformation and misinformation can create unnecessary panic, suppress voter turnout, damage public confidence, and trigger avoidable tensions.”

The REC said preparations for the governorship election were progressing in line with the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, as well as established operational procedures.

She explained that the commission had continued to engage political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and the media while strengthening voter education, training election personnel, testing election technologies and reviewing logistics for the poll.

Babalola also disclosed that INEC was coordinating security preparations through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, to ensure a peaceful electoral environment, adding that the commission would continue to provide timely updates through its official communication channels.

She described the media as an indispensable partner in the electoral process, saying a well-informed electorate remained fundamental to the success of any democratic election.

“The media has a constitutional and professional responsibility to educate citizens on electoral processes, promote issue-based campaigns, explain voting procedures and encourage peaceful participation,” she said.

She advised media organisations to provide accurate voter education, ensure equitable coverage of political parties and candidates, amplify official information from INEC, discourage hate speech and promote issue-based rather than personality-driven campaigns.

Babalola stressed that accuracy, fairness, balance and professionalism should remain the guiding principles of election reporting, noting that informed voters were better equipped to make independent electoral choices and resist manipulation through false information.

Babalola reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to openness, accountability and continuous engagement with stakeholders, saying the responsibility for delivering a peaceful, credible and acceptable election rests not on the commission alone but on the collective commitment of the media, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and voters.

Earlier, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, said the stakeholders’ interface formed part of ongoing efforts under the EU-SDGN II programme to strengthen media professionalism, counter misinformation and promote inclusive electoral participation ahead of the Osun governorship election.

Also speaking, Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, Dr Akin Akingbulu, called on journalists to intensify civic and voter education, strengthen fact-checking and uphold conflict-sensitive reporting, noting that the Osun governorship election would serve as an important test of the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.