By MARIE-THERESE NANLONG
As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle in 2027, the battle for votes has already begun. But unlike past elections where political contests were largely confined to campaign grounds, billboards, and traditional media platforms, today’s campaigns are increasingly fought in the digital space—on mobile phones, WhatsApp groups, Facebook timelines, TikTok videos and X posts.
This shift has created a new and dangerous reality. The digital ecosystem has become fertile ground for information disorder—misinformation, disinformation and outright falsehood. For Plateau State, with its history of tension and fragile peace in some communities, this trend should be a matter of urgent concern rather than casual observation.
The 2023 elections, like those before it, showed how quickly unverified claims, manipulated images, recycled videos and fabricated results can spread across social media, shaping public perception and heightening political tension within minutes. Technology, while powerful, has also become a double-edged sword.
Yet technology itself is not the enemy. It remains one of the strongest tools for civic engagement, enabling citizens to monitor elections, report irregularities, participate in democratic discussions and hold leaders accountable. The problem lies in its misuse.
Experience has shown that during elections, social media does not merely amplify information—it accelerates it, often without regard for accuracy. In such moments, falsehood travels faster than verification.
The danger is not only that citizens may be misled. It is that misinformation can inflame existing divisions, deepen mistrust among communities, and erode confidence in democratic institutions. Plateau State does not need reminders of how quickly rumours can escalate into fear and confusion.
Election periods amplify this vulnerability. A photograph taken years earlier can suddenly be presented as evidence of current violence. A fabricated statement can be wrongly attributed to a candidate. A manipulated video can be circulated to provoke outrage. Before long, thousands have shared content without pausing to ask the most basic question: is this true?
This is not a Plateau problem alone. Across Nigeria, fact-checking organisations now operate under intense pressure during elections, working tirelessly to debunk false narratives targeting individuals, parties and the electoral process itself.
What makes the situation more complex is that many young Nigerians have gained political awareness through social media. But awareness without verification can become dangerous when speed replaces accuracy and emotion replaces evidence.
As 2027 approaches, responsibility must become collective. Every social media user must learn to pause before sharing information—ask who created it, when it was recorded, and whether credible sources have confirmed it. Sensational content must never be accepted at face value.
Even simple habits—such as reading beyond headlines or verifying before reposting—can significantly reduce the spread of falsehood.
However, citizens alone cannot carry this burden. Journalists, civil society organisations, religious leaders, youth groups and educational institutions must intensify efforts toward media literacy and public awareness. The ability to identify manipulated content and distinguish fact from opinion is no longer optional in a digital democracy.
At the same time, political actors must exercise restraint. Elections should be won through ideas, track records and persuasion—not through propaganda, fabricated narratives or deliberate misinformation aimed at discrediting opponents. Democracy suffers when truth becomes collateral damage in political competition.
Plateau State now stands at a crossroads. It can either become a breeding ground for digital propaganda and rumours, or it can cultivate a culture of responsibility, verification and truth in public communication.
The campaign #CheckBeforeYouPost should not remain a slogan. It must become a civic ethic embedded in daily behaviour, because every share carries consequences. Every repost can either strengthen public trust or deepen division.
Ultimately, the credibility of the 2027 elections will not depend solely on electoral institutions or laws. It will also depend on the choices of ordinary citizens—what they believe, what they share, and what they refuse to amplify. In a digital age, democracy is no longer shaped only at the ballot box, but also on the screens of millions of smartphones.