ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Independent National Electoral Commission has raised the alarm over the growing threat of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation to the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that deepfakes, automated propaganda, and algorithmically amplified falsehoods could seriously undermine public confidence in the electoral process if proactive measures are not taken.
The warning was issued by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu during a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja on Wednesday, where he addressed the increasing sophistication of disinformation tactics and their potential to disrupt democratic processes. Yakubu noted that AI-generated content, including fabricated audio and video recordings of candidates, was already being deployed in political campaigns globally, and Nigeria must prepare for similar threats ahead of the polls.
Speaking at the event, Yakubu said, “The threat of AI-driven disinformation is real and growing. We have seen its impact in other jurisdictions. We must be proactive in building the capacity to detect and counter false information that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.”
He noted that deepfake videos, doctored images and AI-generated audio clips could be used to impersonate candidates, spread false claims, and incite violence, leaving voters confused and eroding trust in the electoral process. The INEC Chairman warned that the scale and speed at which such disinformation can spread—amplified by social media algorithms—poses a challenge that traditional fact-checking mechanisms alone may not be able to handle.
The Commission is reportedly working with technology partners to develop detection tools and auditing frameworks to identify AI-generated disinformation, planning to audit the technology being deployed during the electoral process, including biometric voter accreditation systems and result transmission platforms. INEC also plans to conduct mock polls ahead of the 2027 elections to test the integrity of its systems and the capacity of officials to detect and mitigate disinformation threats.
Yakubu stressed that electoral integrity depends not only on the technology deployed but also on the vigilance of stakeholders, including the media, civil society and voters. He called on political parties and candidates to commit to issue-based campaigns and avoid the use of disinformation as a campaign tool.
The Commission also called for stronger collaboration with social media platforms to ensure that false content is flagged and removed promptly, particularly during the election period. INEC officials noted that platforms had shown greater willingness to cooperate on electoral integrity issues in recent years, and the Commission plans to formalise these partnerships ahead of 2027.
The INEC Chairman concluded by urging Nigerians to be discerning consumers of information, particularly in the months leading up to the 2027 elections. He stressed that the ultimate defence against disinformation is an informed and vigilant citizenry capable of identifying manipulative content and holding political actors accountable.
As Nigeria prepares for what promises to be a highly contested election season, the Commission’s proactive stance on AI disinformation signals a recognition that the integrity of future elections will depend not only on the physical security and logistical efficiency of the process but also on the resilience of the information ecosystem in which it takes place.
