By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on Tuesday charged Nigerian journalists to take the lead in combating disinformation, fake news and propaganda ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They gave the charge at the 2026 Press Week Lecture and Awards Night organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja.

The event, held in Abuja, was themed: “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation.”

Delivering the keynote address, Elumelu warned that the growing spread of manipulated content, fake news and AI-generated propaganda posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and electoral integrity.

According to him, disinformation has evolved into a deliberate political weapon capable of undermining public trust, inflaming tensions and destabilising democratic institutions.

“Democracy thrives when citizens are well informed. When the public space is saturated with falsehoods and manipulative narratives, the foundation of democracy itself becomes fractured,” he said.

Elumelu noted that Nigeria’s high level of illiteracy and increasing dependence on social media had made many citizens vulnerable to misinformation and political manipulation.

He urged political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns driven by policies, competence and performance instead of propaganda, hate speech and divisive rhetoric.

The lawmaker also challenged journalists to uphold professionalism and avoid sacrificing accuracy for speed in the race to break news.

“Disinformation is not simply the accidental spread of false information. It is often deliberate, strategic and politically motivated,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede, represented by the Director of Defence Information at Defence Headquarters, Samaila Uba, described the media as a critical partner in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry and insecurity.

He said factual, balanced and conflict-sensitive reporting could help deny terrorists and criminal groups the “oxygen” they rely on to thrive.

“While the military secures the physical space, the media shapes the information space. The narratives you project influence public perception, troop morale, and even the strategic outcomes of military operations,” he said.

“When reporting is factual, balanced, and conflict-sensitive, it denies oxygen to terrorism, banditry, and disinformation. It builds trust between the armed forces and the people we serve.”

Oluyede stressed that responsible journalism had become even more important in the digital age where misinformation spreads rapidly across social media platforms.

“In this digital age where a single tweet can travel faster than a battalion, the ethical responsibility of the press has never been greater,” he added.

He urged journalists to verify information before publication, prioritise national interest without compromising truth, and continue highlighting the sacrifices of security personnel working to keep the country safe.

The Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT council, Grace Ike, said the press week provided an opportunity for journalists to reflect on the state of the profession and recommit themselves to ethical journalism.

“As we move closer to the 2027 general elections, the media must remain vigilant, responsible, and courageous in the face of misinformation, fake news, propaganda, and deliberate attempts to distort public opinion,” she said.

Ike added that the media had a “sacred duty” to protect truth, defend accountability and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

The event attracted prominent personalities, including the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, who chaired the occasion, and former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, who served as co-chairman.

The ceremony also featured awards presented to journalists recognised for professionalism, ethical reporting and contributions to public service.