The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has charged media practitioners to be gatekeepers of factual information.
Agboke also urged the media to act as watchdogs against digital manipulation, allies of institutions working for national stability, and educators of the public in an era of misinformation.
This charge formed part of a lecture titled, ‘Harnessing Technology towards Credible Elections and Effective Information Dissemination in Nigeria’, delivered during the 2025 Osun Digital Media Week of the Osun Online Publishers Association, OOPA, on Thursday in Osogbo.
The REC noted that INEC considered credible information dissemination a crucial pillar of the electoral process and called on digital publishers, journalists, political actors, civil societies and citizens to work together to ensure that technology is used as an instrument of truth and a tool for credibility.
Addressing participants, Agboke said, “Your commitment to responsible digital journalism is not only admirable, it is essential for the survival of our democracy.”
He commended OOPA for sustaining a platform he described as central to ideas, innovation and civic responsibility in Osun State.
He explained that technology had shaped the country’s electoral system over the years, citing tools such as the Biometric Permanent Voter’s Card, Smart Card Reader, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the IReV portal.
According to him, “Technology has consistently expanded the frontiers of transparency and accountability in our elections.”
The REC emphasised that technology must continue to evolve as it had become a silent but powerful force influencing governance, elections and public opinion.
“Online publishers must serve as gatekeepers of factual information and ensure that misinformation did not undermine the electoral process,” he said.
Agboke stressed the importance of collaboration between INEC and digital media organisations, noting that a well-informed electorate remained central to credible elections.
He said, “We must deepen this partnership by improving fact-checking mechanisms, ensuring access to verified data, and combating fake news with speed and precision.”
He announced that INEC Osun had prioritised training and regular engagements with journalists, especially ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
He also disclosed that the commission had strengthened BVAS training for corps members, expanded stakeholder engagement and improved communication channels to ensure prompt dissemination of verified information.
The REC while warning that emerging technologies could be misused if not properly regulated called for democratic vigilance in the digital age and urged citizens to develop strong digital literacy and journalists to uphold responsible reporting standards.
Agboke reiterated the commission’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the ballot, stating that every eligible vote must count.
He added that INEC’s collaborations with security agencies and other stakeholders were aimed at safeguarding the electoral process.
“The future of elections in Nigeria depends on how ethically we deploy technology,” he said.
Agboke commended OOPA for organising the Digital Media Week and encouraged journalists to embrace integrity and innovation in their work.
He said, “Technology may power the future of elections, but the character of those who use it determines the outcome.”
In his welcome address, the OOPA Chairman, Mukhtar Ajelogbon said the digital week provided members the resilience to celebrate innovations and contributions of online publishers across Osun State.
While emphasising that the future of journalism is digital, Ajelogbon said OOPA more of operation is 100 per cent digitalised.