The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly condemned the “rig and die” slogan being promoted by some political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that it risks exposing ordinary Nigerians to electoral violence.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, issued the warning during a media engagement forum for journalists and media executives from the South-East, South-South and South-West zones held in Enugu.
Haruna stressed that any electoral official, including ad hoc staff, found to have compromised the electoral process would face the full weight of the law. He cautioned politicians against inflammatory rhetoric and threats that could endanger presiding officers, ad hoc personnel, party agents and election observers.
Disputes over electoral outcomes, he said, should be resolved through lawful channels such as complaints to INEC, security agencies and the courts, rather than through violence.
The commissioner also called for stronger partnership with the media to protect democracy and ensure credible, peaceful and transparent elections in 2027. He described the media as critical to public confidence in the process, which depends heavily on accurate, fair and professional reporting.
Haruna warned journalists against spreading misinformation, unverified results, manipulated videos or inflammatory narratives. He particularly cautioned against premature declaration of results, sensationalism and presenting projections as official figures.
“Results are declared only by the Commission through its duly appointed returning officers. Projections and unofficial figures must be clearly labelled as such,” he said.He urged reporters to verify allegations against INEC through official channels before publication and to report incidents with sensitivity, distinguishing between firsthand observations and second-hand information.
He also called for inclusive coverage that highlights the participation challenges faced by women, youths and persons with disabilities, and for intensified voter education on Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), accreditation, electronic transmission of results and peaceful participation.
In a related presentation on ethical standards in election reporting, resource person Osaretin Imahheyierobo urged journalists to study the Electoral Act 2026, INEC’s coverage guidelines and the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
He advised media houses to set up dedicated election desks, editorial guidelines and fact-checking systems, and to familiarise themselves with technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Imahheyierobo emphasised resisting inducements, subjecting candidates to proper scrutiny, ensuring equitable access for all parties, and avoiding the amplification of violent or inflammatory slogans.
Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu said the engagement reflected INEC’s commitment to working with the media. He disclosed that about 35,000 PVCs had been received for distribution across 260 wards in the state and appealed for media support in public enlightenment on collection.
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Enugu State Chairman Comrade Obinna Ogbuka welcomed the initiative but noted it should have started earlier. He raised concerns about inadequate budgetary support for journalists’ logistics during elections and declining public confidence in INEC, urging deliberate steps to rebuild trust.
Participants at the forum praised INEC’s preparations while calling on the Commission to address past shortcomings, particularly the technical issues that affected electronic result transmission in 2023, and to treat journalists as key stakeholders in the electoral process.
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