Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its recent warning to media organisations, insisting that deeper institutional issues pose a greater threat to Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
Odinkalu was reacting to comments by the INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, who cautioned broadcast media against the spread of misinformation, noting that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend significantly on how responsibly Nigeria’s airwaves are managed.
Amupitan made the remarks during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, where he emphasized the role of the media in safeguarding democratic processes.
However, Odinkalu, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, dismissed the focus on media regulation, arguing that it should not be INEC’s primary concern.
“Just a few months into the job & bros already looks haunted? I am not sure it’s the business of Joash Amupitan or INEC to worry about the media,” he wrote.
The outspoken rights advocate further alleged that what he described as “chronic crookedness” within Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary represents a more pressing challenge than misinformation in the media.
“On any scale, anyways, chronic crookedness from INEC & the courts is a much bigger problem,” he added.
His remarks have since sparked varied reactions, with some Nigerians supporting his stance that institutional credibility should take precedence, while others defended INEC’s position, noting that misinformation can also undermine electoral processes.
Observers say the exchange highlights ongoing concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system, as stakeholders continue to debate the roles of institutions, the media, and the judiciary ahead of the 2027 general elections…See More
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