Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says some
opposition political parties have weaponised fake news because they cannot
match the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a free and fair election.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the federal government’s
scorecard in Abuja on Tuesday, Mohammed said the trend is dangerous and must be
stopped.
“In recent times, we have all witnessed how a letter purportedly from INEC was used to cast aspersions on the candidate of the ruling APC,” the minister said.
“Shortly after that, the death of an innocent man was turned
into a political tool to further attack the same APC candidate.
“Of course, there
have been other cases similar to the two I have just enumerated. This is a
dangerous development which must be nipped in the bud.
“If the opposition has suddenly realised that they cannot
match the ruling party in a free and fair election, and have thus decided to
weaponise fake news and disinformation, the media should not allow itself to be
used for that nefarious purpose.”
Mohammed lamented that there are those who are bent on using
fake news as a strategy to win elections.
“We have all seen the
damage done to elections in other climes by fake news and disinformation,” he
said.
“No government will sit by and allow anyone or any
organization to use fake news and disinformation to sow the seeds of discord.
“We are therefore compelled to warn the purveyors of fake
news and disinformation, especially in the run-up to next year’s elections, to
stop forthwith.
“Enough is enough.”
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