The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists and media organisations to verify all election-related claims before publication, warning that disinformation and misinformation pose serious threats to the credibility of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election. Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, made the appeal during a dialogue and interactive forum held in Osogbo on Thursday, organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme.
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 stressed that false information could lead to panic, reduce voter turnout, erode public trust, and spark unnecessary tensions. She urged media professionals to rely on official sources, verify claims thoroughly, and correct errors promptly. Babalola also encouraged collaboration with fact-checking organisations to debunk false narratives and uphold journalistic integrity.
According to Babalola, INEC’s preparations for the governorship election are progressing in accordance with the Electoral Act, INEC regulations, and established operational procedures. The commission has been actively engaging political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and the media. Key activities include voter education campaigns, training of election personnel, testing of election technologies, and logistics planning for the poll.
INEC is also coordinating security arrangements through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure a peaceful electoral environment. Babalola assured the public that timely updates would be provided through official communication channels. She described the media as an indispensable partner in the electoral process, emphasizing that an informed electorate is essential for a successful democracy.
The REC highlighted the media’s constitutional and professional duty to educate citizens on electoral processes, promote issue-based campaigns, explain voting procedures, and encourage peaceful participation. She advised media houses to ensure fair and balanced coverage of political parties and candidates, amplify official INEC information, and avoid hate speech. Babalola reiterated that accuracy, fairness, and professionalism should guide election reporting, as informed voters are better equipped to resist manipulation.
She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, noting that delivering a peaceful and credible election requires collective effort from the media, security agencies, political parties, civil society, and voters. Earlier, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, said the forum was part of ongoing efforts under the EU-SDGN II programme to strengthen media professionalism and counter misinformation. Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), urged journalists to intensify civic education, strengthen fact-checking, and practice conflict-sensitive reporting, noting that the Osun election will serve as a critical test for Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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