By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing threat of deepfakes, synthetic media and foreign information manipulation to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The commission said emerging technologies could be exploited to mislead voters, impersonate political candidates and election officials, and undermine public confidence in electoral information.
INEC disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle on Wednesday, following discussions at the third plenary session of the AI for Democracy Forum 2026 (AIDF2026).
The session, themed “The War for Reality: Deepfakes, Synthetic Media, and Foreign Information Manipulation in Nigeria’s 2027 Elections,” examined how artificial intelligence and digital platforms could be used to manipulate public perception and distort electoral discourse.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Milliscent Nwoka, Head of Communications at Yiaga Africa, and featured David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor at Africa Check; Silas Jonathan, Digital Investigations Manager at DAIDAC-CJID; and Prof. Suraj Olunifesi, Global Co-lead of the UNESCO University Network on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID).
According to INEC, participants examined the risks posed by AI-generated misinformation and other forms of information manipulation, stressing the importance of fact-checking, digital verification tools, media literacy and greater accountability from technology platforms.
The commission noted that the growing sophistication of synthetic media could make it increasingly difficult for citizens to distinguish authentic electoral information from fabricated content, potentially affecting voters’ ability to make informed decisions.
It stressed that safeguarding the integrity of electoral information ahead of the 2027 polls would require coordinated efforts by electoral institutions, the media, civil society organisations and technology companies.
INEC said such collaboration would be essential to ensuring that Nigerians have access to credible information and can make informed electoral choices as the country prepares for the next general elections.
