By Sodiq Omolaoye, Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa Oluyede, and former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, have warned against the rising spread of fake news, propaganda and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They cautioned that the growing wave of misinformation, if unchecked, could undermine democratic institutions, threaten national security and inflame political tensions across the country.

The duo spoke at the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Press Week lecture and awards night held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Represented by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, Oluyede described the theme of the press week, ‘2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Misinformation’, as timely given Nigeria’s complex security and information environment.

He urged journalists to embrace factual, balanced and conflict-sensitive reporting, stressing that responsible journalism remains critical to national security and democratic stability.

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

“I urge you to continue to verify before you publish, to prioritise national interests without sacrificing truth, and to give voice to the sacrifices of our troops who stand in harm’s way so that others may live in peace”, he said.

The defence chief noted that factual and balanced reporting could deny terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements the “oxygen” they need to thrive.

Speaking as keynote lecturer on the theme, “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,” Elumelu described disinformation as one of the greatest threats confronting Nigeria’s democratic process.

He said: “At the moment, Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey.

“As we look ahead to the 2027 general elections, we are confronted not only with familiar political challenges but also with a rapidly evolving and more complex threat: the weaponisation of disinformation.”

According to him, fake news, manipulated narratives, doctored videos and AI-generated content were increasingly being deployed to distort public opinion, weaken institutions and influence electoral outcomes.

Elumelu urged journalists not to compromise professionalism and ethical standards in the race to break news.

“The media must never surrender to agents of disinformation. Accuracy should never be sacrificed on the altar of immediacy and speed,” he stated.

He also warned politicians against promoting falsehood, divisive narratives and character assassination, urging political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns and present their scorecards to Nigerians instead of engaging in propaganda.

Earlier, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, said the press week provides 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,” Ike said.

She added that the media has a sacred responsibility to defend truth, uphold accountability, and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.