The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that electoral integrity could be undermined long before voters cast their ballots.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, said the weaponisation of information had emerged as a major threat to modern democracy, requiring a coordinated response from election management bodies, security agencies, media organisations, technology platforms and civil society groups.
Amupitan spoke on Monday at the opening session of the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity, themed, “Beyond the Ballot: AI, FIMI, and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections,” held in Abuja.
He said the summit, organised under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN III) framework, was coming at a critical moment as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the first ballots expected to be cast on January 16, 2027.
According to him, electoral threats have evolved beyond physical attacks on ballot papers and election officials to include synthetic media, deepfake videos, automated misinformation, digital micro-targeting and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
that Nigerian voters were empowered by credible information rather than overwhelmed by digital deception.
“Let our goal be certain: to ensure that by 2027, the Nigerian voter is empowered by information, not paralysed by it,” he said.
