By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Ndudi Elumelu, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has sounded the alarm over mounting attempts by political actors to manipulate public opinion through misinformation and the misuse of media platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the NUJ FCT Council Press Week in Abuja on Tuesday, Elumelu cautioned journalists against becoming conduits for false narratives.
He stressed the urgent need for stricter editorial judgment when deciding which voices are granted media access.
Persecondnews recalls that Elumelu had
served as the Minority Leader during the 9th National Assembly but lost his re-election bid in the February 2023 general elections to the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Ngozi Okolie.
He has since transitioned to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—won the party’s primary election on Saturday to run as the APC candidate for the same Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He warned that the growing use of media platforms by individuals with questionable intent poses a risk to democratic stability if not properly checked.
“The media must guide against such individuals. Always check the background of people before giving them the platform. Don’t allow people who want to use media to convey fake news,” he said.
He stressed that political communication must shift from propaganda and personality attacks toward real engagement that focuses on governance, policies, and development.
“The media must ensure that politicians, including me, commit to issue-based campaigns that focus on ideas, policies and solutions rather than propaganda and character attacks,” he stressed.
Elumelu further warned that unchecked misinformation could weaken democratic institutions and distort public trust in governance.
“Disinformation has the capacity to distort public perception, weaken institutions and erode trust in the democratic process.”
He stressed that the credibility of the electoral process depends not only on politicians but also on how responsibly the media manages access and information dissemination.
Elumelu further noted that the increasing sophistication of misinformation requires stronger vigilance by journalists, especially as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
He called on media practitioners to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms and uphold professional standards in order to protect public trust and democratic integrity.
Persecondnews reports that Elumelu, who also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the NUJ, announced a donation of N5 million to the union.
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