With just weeks to the scheduled by-election in Okura State Constituency of Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned political parties and their candidates against spreading fake news, saying any false information could undermine the credibility of the polls.
The newly deployed INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oliver Agundu, who gave the warning during stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja, however appealed to political parties and other interest groups to steer clear of fake news.
Kogi state is among the 12 states in Nigeria where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has fixed August 16th 2025 for the conduct of by-elections in 16 constituencies.
As should be expected, political activities have continued to heat up ahead of the August 16, 2025 date for the by-election in the State.
But the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says as the countdown begins, it is seeking the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process in the state.
The newly deployed INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oliver Agundu, has therefore called on political actors to tread carefully, especially when it comes to information sharing.
Agundu noted that unverified claims often lead to misinformation, confusion, and in some cases, violence, especially in politically sensitive periods.
Representatives of some of the political parties taking part in the August 16, 2025 by-election in Kogi State and other interest groups expressed worries ahead of the poll.
The by-elections scheduled to hold in 12 states in Nigeria on August 16, 2025, cut across 3.5 million registered voters spread across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
