- Calls For Prosecution of Electoral Offenders, Transparency In Result Management
By Chinwendu Agoha (Media & Governance Correspondent)
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has warned that fake news, weak accountability, declining public confidence in elections and the exclusion of women from political leadership pose serious threats to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The Guild also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide verifiable information on its preparations, strengthen result-management systems and establish a digital fact-verification channel to enable journalists to confirm election-related reports before publication.
These recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of GOCOP’s 10th annual conference, held on October 7 and 8 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities.”
The conference, chaired by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, featured a keynote address by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, alongside contributions from election officials, security representatives, academics and civil society leaders.
According to the communiqué, a survey cited at the conference indicated that only 38 per cent of Nigerians believed in the credibility of elections, underscoring the urgent need to rebuild public confidence in the electoral process.
The Guild maintained that technological innovations alone could not guarantee credible elections without institutional transparency, accountability and public trust.
It warned that misinformation, unverified leaks, artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and sensational reporting could inflame political tensions, discourage voter participation and undermine the electoral process.
Consequently, GOCOP directed its 127 member publications to prioritise accuracy over speed, reject clickbait and partisan interference, and publish only verified election information. It also warned against publishing unverified polling-unit results, altered result sheets and inflammatory speculation.
The Guild called on INEC to publish timely information on election logistics, technology testing and result management, while urging the commission to translate electoral laws and voter education materials into major Nigerian languages to promote wider understanding and participation.
On political inclusion, the conference criticised opaque candidate-selection arrangements that marginalise women and called on the National Assembly to enact legislation to increase women's participation and representation in the electoral process.
It further urged political parties to adopt transparent nomination procedures and candidates to focus their campaigns on issues affecting citizens, particularly the rising cost of living.
The communiqué also called for a clear explanation of the Federal Government's fuel subsidy policy and domestic crude pricing to enable voters to make informed decisions during the elections.
On electoral accountability, GOCOP urged INEC to work with relevant prosecuting authorities to ensure that electoral offenders are prosecuted and the outcomes made public, warning that impunity could encourage further violations.
The Guild also called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), GOCOP and other media organisations to seek judicial interpretation of Section 60 of the Electoral Act 2026 in relation to Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, particularly regarding media reporting of exit polls, projections and independent election results.
It commended the Nigeria Police Force for reported improvements in election security and urged security agencies to sustain lawful, intelligence-led and non-partisan operations before, during and after the 2027 polls.
The conference called on Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, participate actively in elections, verify information before sharing it and hold elected officials accountable throughout the electoral cycle.
In his welcome address, GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, mni, urged political leaders to put citizens' welfare first and called on journalists to hold both the government and opposition accountable through accurate, fair and balanced reporting.
The Guild reaffirmed its commitment to responsible election coverage, stressing that credible elections were a shared responsibility of INEC, political parties, security agencies, the media and citizens.
The communiqué issued at the weekend, was signed by GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu and the Guild's General Secretary, Sufuyan Ojeifo. NNL.
