· Insist elections must be won by voting, not thuggery or rigging
· Lies are being manufactured through AI in large scale, says VP
By Charles Olewezi
The 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) opened on Thursday at The Dome, Enugu State, with over 500 editors meeting under the theme ‘The ballot, the media and the task of keeping democracy alive’ and sub-theme ‘When lies look real: Detecting and debunking AI disinformation before, during and after election.’
In a goodwill message beamed to the hall via zoom, the Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, declared that AI has made the editor’s gatekeeping role even more crucial when lies can be manufactured at scale, urging factual, responsible disagreement that still unites for a greater Nigeria.
Shettima said he had hoped to be in Enugu with Governor Peter Mbah but pressing state duties kept him away. He said the media’s role as Fourth Estate is indispensable because the ballot only has meaning when citizens have credible information, praising editors who at personal cost ensured the public’s right to know.
The VP defended the reforms of the Tinubu administration, saying while difficult, they are yielding results – economy grew 4.43% in Q2 2026 compared to 4.23 per cent in Q2 2025 with growth across agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas and services, and inflation has moderated, though he noted the real test is cost of living and purchasing power. He said macro stability must translate to jobs and better life.
INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, represented by the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, said generative AI, deepfakes and voice cloning have created “synthetically manufactured reality.” He reminded the gathering that the Presidential/National Assembly polls will still be held as earlier scheduled on January 16, 2027, while that of Governorship/State Assembly will be held on February 6, 2027. He announced creation of an AI Division with a Governance Framework anchored on human oversight, and deployment of AI to scan result sheets. He announced the new CEMBSS salary structure from January 1, 2026 and 150 per cent rise in state office overheads, urging media owners to improve journalists’ pay.
In remarks, the chief host and Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mbah, emphasised on the media’s vital role in sustaining democracy. Mbah stated that democracy cannot survive without a free, fair, and fearless press. He urged journalists to uphold truth, inclusion, and accountability while avoiding political sensationalism. He also called for replacing distance with dialogue, viewing intelligent critique as a public service rather than hostility, and describing the government and media as “co-authors of our nation’s future”.
He noted that his administration welcomes public scrutiny and has made its policies, financial spending, and governance processes completely open.
Mbah challenged editors to “go deeper” and make investigative journalism not a luxury but core, distinguishing what generates clicks from what the public needs, applying the same standard to government and critics. He said Enugu is open about its agenda to become top three state by GDP and gateway for South East, listing 1,500km roads, 7,000 classrooms, Smart Green Schools and Type-2 PHCs in 260 wards, water restoration, CNG buses, transport terminals, Enugu Air, revival of dormant industries and new city, plus support from President Tinubu and Federal Government, including Akanu Ibiam Airport concession that created fiscal space for investment. He urged editors to explore Enugu beyond the conference hall and tell the story as they find it, reiterating appreciation to President Tinubu and declaring “Tomorrow is here.”
Information Minister Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in his address noted that AI’s worst effect is making citizens believe nothing. He urged newsrooms to institutionalise verification and make fact-checking culture, not an afterthought. Citing subsidy removal, FX reforms, 2,700km roads as at May 2026, NELFUND, Electoral Act amendment signed February 2026 and Local Government autonomy, he said policies need reporting that verifies, not exaggerated.
Conference Chairman, HRM Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, said democracy is “a fire that must be tended.” He said the ballot is a modern vessel for Africa’s ancient value of consent, but AI now exploits trusted community networks like family WhatsApp groups. He charged editors with three duties: verification before speed, literacy to detect fake voices/images, and courage to debunk lies even when they favour one’s camp.
Keynote speaker Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, said Nigeria’s democracy is weak and election quality declining because elections are do-or-die for wealth, noting that INEC lacks independence while incumbents abuse state resources and security. He decried a situation where courts decide winners. He called on the next National Assembly to reform INEC appointments, create an election tribunal to finish cases before swearing-in, allow voter locus, independent candidates, 50% threshold plus run-off, and check defections.
In his goodwill message, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, FCA, recalled the Guild’s legacy since 1961 under Lateef Jakande, Tony Momoh, Ray Ekpu, Garba Shehu and others. He said AI makes falsehood look true and urged fair enforcement of Section 24 Cybercrimes Act 2024 and Section 123 Electoral Act 2022, plus joint media literacy, citing Jigawa’s Gwamnati da Jama’a engagement in 27 LGAs and its Mass Mobilisation Executive Order No. 2 of 2026 and Digital Social Responsibility Programme.
Former NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, in his paper ‘Election petitions in the digital age: Independence, evidence, BVAS and the courts’ said Nigeria has one of the world’s highest numbers of election petitions because courts increasingly determine winners – a “judicialisation” that usurps voters. He said BVAS and IReV, while meant to strengthen polls, have created fresh evidentiary hurdles as petitioners face near-impossible requirements to produce BVAS from all polling units within tight petition timelines.
Welcoming the guests, Nigerian Guild of Editors President, Eze Anaba, said ANEC since its debut in Ada, Osun State in 2004 remains the Guild’s flagship for defending press freedom, ethics and democracy. He said this edition is critical ahead of 2027 general elections, praising the founding leaders of the Guild, Editors, as well as its partners for sustaining the Guild founded in 1961.
All speakers agreed that the 2027 elections will be won or lost not only by ballot count but by the battle for truth, and that INEC, government, traditional institution, clergy, Bar and press must jointly build verification systems, enforce laws fairly, protect journalists’ welfare and independence, and equip citizens with media literacy to ensure that when lies look real, the truth still prevails.
The Guild said deliberations continue Friday with papers on electoral justice and terrorism reporting