Politics

2027 Elections: INEC Gives Fresh Warning To Broadcasters

Published

1 month ago

April 8, 2026

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has cautioned broadcast media organisations to uphold accuracy and professionalism, warning that the credibility of the 2027 general elections will depend heavily on how responsibly Nigeria’s airwaves are managed.

Amupitan gave the warning on Tuesday while speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.

Describing the information space as a “critical battleground” in modern elections, the INEC chairman said misinformation now poses a greater threat to credible polls than physical disruptions.

“The integrity of our elections is no longer threatened only by physical interference but increasingly by the rapid spread of false information amplified through unverified broadcasts,” he said.

He urged broadcasters to comply strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those guiding political broadcasting, stressing that equitable access to media platforms for all registered political parties is a legal obligation.

“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation is not a matter of discretion but a requirement of the law,” Amupitan stated.

The INEC chairman also warned against use of abusive or inflammatory content capable of inciting ethnic, religious or sectional tensions, noting that irresponsible broadcasting could undermine national cohesion.

He reminded media organisations of the mandatory 24-hour “cooling-off period” before Election Day, during which political campaigns and advertisements are prohibited.

“This period is designed to allow voters reflect and make informed decisions free from last-minute manipulation,” he said.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the airwaves, as a public resource, must be used responsibly.

He further identified challenges such as regulatory overlaps, enforcement gaps and the growing convergence of traditional and digital media, which he said has complicated monitoring efforts.

The INEC boss also raised concerns over perceived incumbency advantage in state-owned media and the increasing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that such trends could disadvantage smaller parties.

“Practices that skew access to the media weaken the level playing field required for credible elections,” he noted.

Amupitan called for stronger collaboration between INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), clearer guidelines on equal access, and improved fact-checking systems.

He also urged transparency in political advertising, including full disclosure of sponsorship and pricing.

“Broadcast organisations must prioritise truth and professionalism over profit. Verification of information before dissemination is essential in combating fake news,” he said.

Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to transparency, the chairman advised media practitioners to rely on the Commission’s official platforms for accurate electoral information.

He added that the success of the 2027 general election would depend not only on logistics and technology, but also on the integrity of the information environment.

“The media has a crucial role to play in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and mobilising citizens to participate in the electoral process,” Amupitan said.

Politics

APC Clears Wike Loyalists, Disqualifies All Fubara-aligned Aspirants For State Assembly

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has released the list of cleared and disqualified aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.

According to the list, 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries, while 65 others were not cleared.

Notably, all 32 aspirants believed to be aligned with the camp of Governor Siminalayi Fubara were disqualified from the exercise.

In contrast, incumbent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, were cleared.

In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chibike Ikenga, members who purchased the House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were advised to verify their status on the notice board at the party’s state secretariat located at No. 268B Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

Ikenga further stated that appeals arising from the screening outcome should be submitted through the party secretariat.

He added that the appeal process is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, May 12, by 10 a.m. at the party secretariat.

Meanwhile, in a report released by the screening committee, it listed several reasons for the disqualification of affected aspirants.

Among the reasons are: “Nominations by persons who are not financially up to date members of the Party, contrary to Article 9.3 of the Party Constitution, inducement and attempted bribery of Committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voters cards, failure to present Party membership slips or cards, conflicting dates of birth, failure to confirm payment of membership dues by nominators, irregular party membership numbers of nominators, inconsistencies in names appearing in submitted documents, insufficient nominators with required numbers which fall short of three nominations per ward, invalid affidavits that failed to disclose material particulars relating to NECO certificates.”

Politics

BREAKING: NDC Zones Presidency

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has zoned its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single 4-year term.

The motion was moved at the National Convention of the NDC by the member representing Ogbaru Constituency of Anambra State in the 10th National Assembly, Afam Victor Ogene and was adopted by the delegates.

It was also resolved that after the four years single term, the Presidential ticket will be automatically zoned to the north.

This decision has cleared the way for the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi and other southern aspirants to processd and purchase the presidential form of the party.

Details later…

Politics

Crisis Hits APC Govs Forum As 18 Rejects Uzodinma’s Removal

Published

4 days ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

A serious crisis is currently brewing in the Progressive Governors’ Forum following the sudden removal of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as its chairman.

Reports had it earlier that a cross-section of All Progressives Congress, APC, governors removed Uzodinma and installed the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as its chairman.

Although the Director-General of the forum, Folorunso Aluko, in a statement on Friday, said the reports of Uzodinma’s removal were fake and misleading, sources privy to the matter confirmed to DAILY POST that some governors met on Thursday night and removed Uzodinma.

The meeting, according to reports, was led by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and was held at the Ogun Government Lodge.

However, in a swift move to counter the decision of the Abiodun-led group, 18 other governors met behind closed doors at the Imo Lodge on Friday and passed a vote of confidence in Uzodinma.

Some of those present at the meeting included the governors of Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states, while Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.

Speaking on the unfolding events, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said: “All of us woke up to that very unfortunate story, which was virtually in all the media in Nigeria. But the truth of the matter is that the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum is very united.

“We are stronger now than at any other time. And, of course, we are all supporting the president for what he has been doing.

“We also want to assure everyone that the APC is united, the governors are united, the forum is united, and there is no problem at all.”