FG Warns Against Fake News, Deepfakes Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Federal Government has warned Nigerians, political actors and media practitioners against spreading fake news, misinformation and deepfakes ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying false information could heighten tensions and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the warning during an interview with TRT World on the sidelines of the TRT World Forum 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this in a statement.
Idris also reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2027, assuring Nigerians and the international community that the government would support the democratic process.
He said the administration was committed to strengthening the country’s electoral institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while respecting its constitutional independence.
“Let me assure Nigerians and the international community that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is fully committed to free, fair and credible elections in 2027. We will continue to support the democratic process and ensure that the will of the Nigerian people prevails,” he said.
On concerns about insecurity and its possible impact on the elections, the minister said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to address security challenges across the country.
He cited the recruitment of additional military personnel and the procurement of equipment by the Tinubu administration as measures aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to political and media freedoms, describing freedom of expression and political participation as fundamental to Nigeria’s democracy.
However, he urged citizens and media practitioners to verify information before sharing it, warning that the misuse of artificial intelligence could worsen the spread of disinformation through manipulated content and deepfake materials.
The minister acknowledged that artificial intelligence could improve journalism, public communication, service delivery and access to information, but cautioned against its use to manipulate public discourse.
On the country’s economic priorities, Idris defended strategic borrowing as a means of financing critical infrastructure, stimulating economic growth and expanding opportunities.
“Borrowing is not a crime. Countries across the world, whether developed or developing, borrow to invest in their future. What matters is the purpose of such borrowing and the value it creates,” he said.
He maintained that the administration’s economic policies were aimed at strengthening the economy, expanding infrastructure and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.
The minister, who attended the forum at the invitation of the Turkish government, described the gathering as an important platform for global leaders, policymakers, scholars and other stakeholders to discuss international challenges and explore practical solutions.
The TRT World Forum 2026 opened in Istanbul on Friday under the theme, “A World Without a Centre: Wh
o Leads When the Rules Run Out?”