The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to media professionals and news outlets to rigorously authenticate election information before broadcasting it. The commission identifies the proliferation of false narratives as a significant risk to the integrity of the upcoming August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State.
Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, addressed this during an interactive session organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Osogbo. The event was supported by the European Union under its second phase of support for democratic governance in Nigeria. Babalola emphasized that inaccurate reporting threatens voter participation and social stability.
She urged the media to rely on official INEC communications and collaborate with fact-checking entities to suppress rumors. According to the commissioner, INEC is diligently following the Electoral Act and established guidelines in its preparations, including refining logistics and training personnel. Furthermore, she noted that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) is working to guarantee a secure environment for voters.
Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the IPC, noted that the dialogue aimed to bolster media professionalism. Additionally, Dr. Akin Akingbulu of the Centre for Media and Society urged reporters to prioritize conflict-sensitive coverage, highlighting that the Osun election serves as a crucial barometer for the 2027 general elections.
