The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections through fabricated videos, cloned voices and the spread of election-related disinformation.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, raised the alarm at a national conference on electoral information integrity in Abuja, stressing that although AI offers opportunities to strengthen democratic processes, its abuse could mislead voters, inflame political tensions and threaten electoral peace.
Amupitan said AI-generated content could be deployed to impersonate political leaders, circulate fabricated statements and spread false information capable of confusing the electorate and eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
He called on media organisations, security agencies and technology companies to work together to identify and counter disinformation before it escalates ahead of the 2027 polls.
The INEC chairman’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the influence of digital technology on election campaigns and the potential use of manipulated content to deceive voters.
Meanwhile, former Kogi West Senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dino Melaye, has warned INEC against any attempt to manipulate the 2027 general elections, insisting that Nigerians would not tolerate electoral malpractice.
Melaye raised the concern in a post on his X account, where he accused the electoral umpire of taking steps he believes could signal preparations for electoral irregularities.
He urged the commission to address its alleged shortcomings and take concrete steps to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The former lawmaker warned that any attempt to rig the election would be resisted, adding to the growing political pressure on INEC to guarantee a transparent and credible exercise.
The controversy has been further fuelled by allegations surrounding AI-generated images in INEC’s preliminary voters’ register, alongside complaints by some political parties over the omission of their candidates’ names from the commission’s final list.
The allegations have heightened scrutiny of the electoral body as political parties and stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 elections.
With misinformation, digital manipulation and electoral credibility emerging as major concerns, INEC faces mounting pressure to strengthen safeguards against AI-driven deception and ensure that voters can distinguish authentic election information from fabricated content.
