“Democracy is strongest when citizens are informed and the integrity of elections ultimately depends on the integrity of the information that shapes public opinion”
By John Odunayo
As the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election approaches, a new civic initiative, the Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative (EDII), aimed at protecting the integrity of digital information and promoting responsible digital citizenship has been formally launched in the state.
EDII, a non-governmental and non-partisan programme, seeks to safeguard the digital information ecosystem as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the forthcoming election.
According to a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Abdulateef Olasunkanmi, who spoke on behalf of EDII, described it as a pilot programme under the Nigeria Digital Integrity Initiative (NDII), a broader national framework designed to address the growing challenges posed by digital misinformation, disinformation, and the misuse of emerging technologies during democratic processes.
Olasunkanmi said, “The EDII also seeks to promote responsible information sharing among citizens. In the digital age, every social media user has the capacity to influence public discourse by sharing information within their networks.
“Unfortunately, many individuals inadvertently contribute to the spread of misinformation simply by forwarding unverified messages, sensational claims, or manipulated media,” he stated.
According to him, Ekiti State has been selected as the launch location for this initiative due to its strong civic culture, politically engaged population, and vibrant youth demographic, noting that as one of Nigeria’s most politically conscious states, Ekiti provides an ideal environment for piloting strategies that can later be scaled nationally under the Nigeria Digital Integrity Initiative.
He said that “the launch of EDII in Ekiti State marks the beginning of a long-term effort to strengthen digital literacy, enhance public awareness and empower citizens with the knowledge required to navigate today’s increasingly complex information environment.
“Recent developments in artificial intelligence and digital media technologies have transformed the speed and scale at which information is produced and disseminated.
“Today, sophisticated digital tools can generate highly convincing fake videos, clone voices, manipulate images and fabricate entire narratives within minutes. While these technologies offer legitimate opportunities for innovation and creativity, they also present serious risks when deployed to manipulate public perception, spread falsehoods, or influence political discourse.
“Importantly, Nigerian law already recognizes and criminalizes several forms of digital deception and cyber-enabled misinformation.
“Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, Section 24 criminalizes the intentional transmission of false messages or information through computer systems or networks where such messages are sent for the purpose of causing annoyance, insult, danger, criminal intimidation, ill-will, hatred, or needless anxiety to others. The same Act also criminalizes cyberstalking and online harassment, which may arise where digital platforms are used to disseminate manipulated political propaganda or intimidate political actors and voters.
“Furthermore, Section 22 of the Act addresses identity theft and impersonation. This provision becomes particularly relevant in the age of artificial intelligence where individuals may deploy cloned voices, deepfake videos, or falsified digital identities to impersonate political leaders, electoral officials, journalists, or public institutions. Such acts constitute criminal offences punishable under Nigerian law,” EDII stated.
Olasunkanmi said that with the approach of the Ekiti 2026 election season, the need to proactively address the misuse of digital technologies in political communication has become increasingly urgent.
He said, “The EDII therefore seeks not only to raise public awareness but also to reinforce the understanding that the manipulation of digital information to influence electoral processes may carry serious legal consequences.
“The initiative is also closely aligned with the regulatory and legal framework established under the Electoral Act, which governs the conduct of elections in Nigeria and defines a wide range of electoral offences. The Act imposes legal obligations designed to preserve electoral integrity and prevent acts capable of misleading voters or disrupting democratic processes.
“For instance, provisions relating to undue influence, dissemination of false information, and acts capable of disrupting public order during elections may apply where individuals or groups deliberately spread false narratives designed to mislead voters, manipulate electoral perception, or undermine confidence in electoral institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The intentional creation or circulation of digitally manipulated content purporting to show false electoral results, fabricated statements by candidates, or misleading information about voting procedures may therefore constitute conduct capable of attracting liability under Nigeria’s electoral offence framework.
“Beyond electoral legislation, the circulation of false information capable of disturbing public peace may also attract criminal liability under the Criminal Code Act. Under the provisions relating to false publication and statements likely to cause public mischief, any person who knowingly publishes or circulates false statements, rumours, or reports capable of causing fear, panic, or public disorder may be guilty of a criminal offence.
“In the context of election periods, the reckless or deliberate dissemination of false claims concerning election violence, fabricated results, or manipulated statements attributed to political actors can generate tension, undermine voter confidence, and threaten public peace. Nigerian criminal law therefore recognizes the need to sanction such conduct where it endangers societal stability.
“Through EDII, citizens will be encouraged to adopt responsible digital practices by verifying information sources, cross-checking claims with credible media outlets, and exercising caution before sharing viral content. The initiative emphasizes that responsible digital engagement is not merely a civic responsibility but also a practice consistent with existing legal standards governing public communication.
“From a legal perspective, it is also important to note that digital communications and online content can constitute admissible evidence in judicial proceedings where offences are alleged. Under the Evidence Act, particularly Section 84, electronically generated evidence may be admissible in court where certain conditions relating to the reliability and authenticity of the electronic record are satisfied. This means that digital messages, social media posts, videos, audio recordings, and other electronic materials used to disseminate misinformation may form part of evidentiary material in criminal investigations or prosecutions.
“The investigation and prosecution of offences arising from digital misinformation, cyber offences, or electoral misconduct are governed by the procedural safeguards contained in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The Act provides a comprehensive legal framework regulating criminal investigations, arrests, prosecution processes, and trial procedures in Nigeria, emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and fairness in the administration of justice.
“By situating digital integrity within this broader legal context, the Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative seeks to contribute to a culture of responsible digital engagement that supports peaceful, credible, and lawful electoral participation.
“Beyond voter education, the initiative aims to strengthen democratic resilience by promoting critical thinking and media literacy among citizens. A well-informed public is less vulnerable to manipulation, propaganda, or inflammatory misinformation capable of generating political tension during election periods.
“The EDII will engage citizens through public awareness campaigns, digital literacy workshops, media engagement, youth-focused outreach programmes, and partnerships with civil society organizations, journalists, academic institutions, and community leaders across the state.
“Through these efforts, the initiative aims to build a community of digitally responsible citizens committed to protecting the integrity of public information and strengthening democratic participation.
“As the journey toward Ekiti Decides 2026 progresses, the message of the EDII is clear: citizens must play an active role in defending truth and protecting the credibility of democratic processes. Manipulated videos, cloned voices, fabricated statements, and digitally engineered narratives should not determine the future of Ekiti State or influence the choices of voters.
“Safeguarding the truth is a shared responsibility. It requires the collective vigilance of citizens, media practitioners, civil society organizations, technology platforms, and public institutions working together to ensure that information circulating within the public space remains accurate, verified, and responsible.
“The EDII therefore calls on all residents of Ekiti State to remain vigilant, verify information before sharing it, and rely on credible sources when making civic and electoral decisions.
“Democracy is strongest when citizens are informed, and the integrity of elections ultimately depends on the integrity of the information that shapes public opinion.
“As the initiative begins its work, its guiding message remains simple and powerful:
“Know the Truth. Protect Your Vote,” Olasunkanmi stated.
