Otunba Segun Showunmi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, has urged Nigerian journalists to combat fake news, reject divisive political narratives and promote responsible reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Showunmi made the call on Sunday, October 25, 2026, during a press conference at the Kaduna State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He warned that misinformation, inflammatory statements and manipulated digital content could heighten political tensions and undermine peaceful coexistence across the country.

According to him, journalists must protect the credibility of their profession by ensuring that political campaigns focus on issues rather than ethnic and religious divisions.

Showunmi Urges Media to Hold All Political Actors Accountable

The APC campaign council member said journalists have an important responsibility in shaping public discussion during election campaigns.

He urged media professionals to scrutinise statements from both the ruling party and opposition parties. He also stressed that political affiliations should not determine whether false claims are challenged.

“Help us to insist that people stay on messaging, whether they are opposition or even the ruling party,” Showunmi said.

He added that journalists should correct falsehoods regardless of who makes them.

“If somebody, if I’m telling lies, stop me. If they are telling lies, stop them,” he said.

His remarks placed the emphasis on accountability across the political spectrum. They also highlighted the importance of distinguishing verified information from campaign claims and partisan commentary.

As the 2027 elections approach, political parties and candidates are expected to intensify public messaging. Consequently, journalists will face growing pressure to report quickly while maintaining accuracy and fairness.

AI-Generated Content Raises Concerns Ahead of 2027

Showunmi also warned about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms to spread misleading information.

He expressed concern that manipulated content could be used to distort political events, provoke hostility and encourage young people to participate in confrontations.

“Manipulating things, using AI, playing tricks, instigating small, small children, causing crisis, how does that help us?” he asked.

AI tools can make it easier to produce realistic-looking images, videos, audio recordings and written content. However, such material may misrepresent what a person said or what happened at an event.

During election periods, fabricated speeches, altered videos and misleading photographs can circulate widely before journalists or other users establish their authenticity.

Therefore, newsrooms need reliable verification procedures before publishing political content obtained from social media or unofficial sources.

These checks can include tracing the original source, reviewing the full recording, confirming details with relevant parties and using trusted verification tools. Journalists must also explain when material cannot be independently verified.

Showunmi’s warning comes amid broader concerns about misinformation and the growing influence of digital communication on political campaigns.

Kaduna’s Diversity Should Not Become a Political Fault Line

The politician also appealed for restraint in political communication, particularly where messages could deepen ethnic and religious divisions.

Reflecting on Kaduna’s cultural and religious diversity, Showunmi described the state as a place where people from different backgrounds had historically lived and interacted.

“One of the greatest unique things about Kaduna is that, wallahi, Kaduna is the Lagos of the North,” he said.

He urged political actors not to undermine relationships between communities through inflammatory rhetoric or the pursuit of electoral advantage.

Showunmi also thanked journalists and Kaduna residents for the reception given to President Bola Tinubu and his campaign team during their visit to the state on Saturday.

He said the reception contrasted with reports that had suggested the presidential team might encounter hostility.

However, the broader message of his address was that political disagreements should not prevent Nigerians from travelling, interacting or participating in public life across regional and religious boundaries.

For journalists, this presents a challenge: reporting genuine political disagreements without reproducing unverified claims or language that unfairly targets communities.

Responsible reporting does not require avoiding sensitive issues. Rather, it requires accurate context, fair representation and a clear distinction between legitimate criticism and attempts to provoke hostility.

2027 Campaigns Should Focus on Issues, Not Personal Attacks

Showunmi also discussed political leadership, succession and the participation of younger politicians.

He argued that established political figures should create room for emerging leaders instead of allowing political ambition to become a prolonged struggle among familiar names.

He also advocated a more predictable approach to political succession, saying it could help reduce tension and give different regions a sense of inclusion. These views formed part of his political argument and do not represent a constitutional requirement.

On the presidential contest, Showunmi defended the continuity of Tinubu’s administration and urged support for the president’s re-election bid. His position reflects his role in the APC campaign council.

Nevertheless, his appeal to journalists to hold both government and opposition figures accountable places scrutiny of political claims at the centre of the discussion.

Voters need access to reliable information about candidates, policies, public spending, security, employment and other issues affecting their lives. News reports should therefore provide evidence and context instead of relying solely on campaign slogans or accusations.

Journalists Have a Responsibility to Protect Public Trust

Showunmi said he visited journalists not only to thank them but also to listen to their concerns and receive feedback.

He acknowledged the media’s contribution to democratic governance and expressed confidence in the future of Nigerian journalism.

His remarks come as news organisations navigate the combined pressures of political competition, social media distribution and rapidly evolving AI tools.

The challenge is not limited to identifying fabricated stories. Misleading headlines, selective quotations and reports that omit important context can also distort public understanding.

Journalists can help address these problems by checking claims before publication, correcting errors transparently, giving relevant parties a fair opportunity to respond and clearly labelling opinion or sponsored content.

They must also maintain editorial independence when covering political parties, candidates and public institutions.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, the credibility of political reporting will depend on whether media organisations consistently apply these standards.

Showunmi’s message was that journalists should challenge falsehoods, resist divisive narratives and insist on issue-based campaigns. Ultimately, accurate reporting and responsible political communication are essential to helping Nigerians make informed decisions during the electoral process.