2027: INEC Rejects ‘Rig and Die’ Slogan, Vows to Punish Electoral Offenders

• INEC has condemned the ‘rig and die’ slogan, warning of electoral violence while promising legal action against officials who compromise the 2027 elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the “rig and die” slogan being promoted by some political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that it could put innocent Nigerians at risk of violence.

The commission also said electoral officials, including ad hoc personnel, would face legal consequences if found to have compromised the electoral process.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, gave the warnings during a media engagement in Enugu.

The forum brought together journalists and media executives from the South-East, South-South and South-West geopolitical zones.

INEC warns against threats to election workers

Haruna cautioned politicians against inflammatory statements that could endanger presiding officers, ad hoc workers, party agents and election observers.

He said disputes over electoral outcomes should be addressed through lawful channels, including complaints to INEC, security agencies and the courts.

While warning against violence, he maintained that the commission would hold officials accountable for misconduct during elections.

Journalists cautioned against unofficial results

Haruna urged media organisations to help protect the credibility of the electoral process through accurate, fair and professional reporting.

He warned against publishing unverified results, manipulated videos, misinformation and inflammatory political narratives, saying such content could undermine public confidence and trigger violence.

The commissioner also cautioned against declaring results prematurely or presenting projections as official outcomes.

“Results are declared only by the Commission through its duly appointed returning officers. Projections and unofficial figures must be clearly labelled as such,” he said.

He urged journalists to verify allegations through INEC’s official channels and distinguish between incidents they personally witnessed and accounts obtained from other sources.

Commission seeks inclusive election coverage

Haruna called for greater attention to the experiences of women, young people and persons with disabilities, particularly the barriers affecting their participation in elections.

He also encouraged media organisations to expand voter education on Permanent Voter Cards, accreditation procedures, electronic transmission of results and peaceful participation.

Media organisations urged to establish election desks

Presenting a paper on ethical and professional standards in election reporting, Osaretin Imahheyierobo urged journalists to understand the laws and regulations governing their work.

He identified the Electoral Act 2026, INEC’s election coverage guidelines and the Nigerian Broadcasting Code as essential materials for election reporters.

Imahheyierobo called on media organisations to establish dedicated election desks, clear editorial guidelines and fact-checking systems ahead of the polls.

He also stressed the need to understand the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to avoid inaccurate explanations of accreditation and result-management procedures.

The resource person urged journalists to resist financial inducements and subject candidates’ promises and manifestoes to scrutiny.

He called for equitable access to media platforms for political parties and candidates, saying voters needed reliable information to make informed choices.

About 35,000 PVCs available in Enugu

The Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, said the commission had received about 35,000 PVCs for distribution across the state’s 260 wards.

He urged journalists to support public awareness about collection and educate voters on what to do before, during and after elections.

Chukwu described the media as a strategic partner in voter education, public accountability and the fight against misinformation.

He said INEC remained committed to a transparent, inclusive and peaceful election and welcomed constructive criticism and recommendations.

NUJ raises logistics and public trust concerns

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu State Council, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, welcomed the engagement but said the training should have started earlier to reach more journalists.

He also raised concerns about inadequate logistical support for journalists covering elections, saying practitioners needed the resources to carry out their duties effectively.

Ogbuka urged INEC to take deliberate steps to rebuild public confidence before the 2027 polls.

Other participants called on the commission to address problems experienced during previous elections, including the technical glitches that affected electronic transmission of results during the 2023 presidential election.

They also urged INEC to recognise journalists as critical stakeholders throughout the electoral process.