ACOE Annual Lecture Targets Credible Elections Ahead of 2027

The Association of Corporate Online Editors(ACOE) has said its second annual lecture and awards will focus on strengthening electoral security and promoting credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman of ACOE, Comrade Shola Akingboye, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a world press conference to announce the association’s fourth anniversary, second annual lecture and awards.

Akingboye said the three-day programme would bring together key stakeholders in the electoral process and create a platform for discussions on how to achieve credible and peaceful elections in 2027.

He disclosed that the annual lecture, scheduled for November 19, 2026, at the Army Resources Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, would focus on the theme, “Roadmap to 2027: Strengthening Electoral Security Through Collaboration Between INEC, the Media, and Political Parties for Credible and Hitch-Free Elections.”

According to him, credible elections cannot rest on the efforts of one institution, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), political parties, security agencies, media organisations and citizens all have responsibilities in protecting the electoral process.

He said stronger collaboration and communication among the stakeholders would be necessary to address threats that could undermine the 2027 elections.

“The media must uphold the principles of accuracy, balance, verification and responsibility, especially as the country approaches another election cycle,” Akingboye stated.

He identified misinformation, disinformation, fake news, hate speech, inflammatory political rhetoric and AI-generated deceptive content as some of the challenges capable of damaging public confidence in elections.

Akingboye also urged political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid actions capable of heating up the political environment.

He called on INEC to strengthen its communication, transparency and stakeholder engagement, saying public confidence would remain critical to the success of the electoral process.

The ACOE chairman explained that the lecture was designed to go beyond speeches by providing an avenue for stakeholders to examine electoral challenges and develop practical solutions for safer, credible and peaceful elections.

He also outlined other activities for the three-day anniversary programme, including a physical fitness exercise and humanitarian visits to motherless homes on the first day.

Akingboye said the humanitarian activities were intended to demonstrate that journalism should not only report societal problems but should also identify with vulnerable members of the community.

The second day, he added, would focus on professional development and welfare, with an on-the-job training seminar on ethical digital journalism in the era of artificial intelligence.

He noted that although AI had created new opportunities for journalists, it had also introduced concerns over misinformation, deepfakes, fabricated content, copyright violations and manipulation of public opinion.

“Technology should serve journalism and not replace professional judgment, ethics and responsibility,” he maintained.

Akingboye said the final day would feature the annual lecture and awards ceremony, with honours going to individuals and organisations that had contributed to journalism, democracy, public accountability, electoral development and national service.

He reaffirmed ACOE’s commitment to professional and ethical journalism, urging members of the profession to place truth before sensationalism, verification before publication and public interest before personal or commercial interests.

He further called on the media to contribute positively to the 2027 electoral process by educating voters, providing credible information, promoting diverse views and holding political actors and institutions accountable.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chux Ukwuatu, said the 2026 ACOE Annual Lecture and Awards was designed as a platform for engagement, knowledge sharing, networking and recognition.

Ukwuatu disclosed that the organisers expected close to 100 participants at the event, adding that the Army Resources Centre was chosen because of its security, spacious facilities and adequate parking space.

He said the INEC Chairman had been selected as the keynote speaker, while ministers, senior government officials, politicians, informal sector representatives and other stakeholders were expected at the programme.

“This year’s programme is designed to build on the successes of previous editions while creating a stronger platform for engagement, knowledge sharing and recognition,” Ukwuatu said.

He added that the planning committee was working to ensure that the lecture produced meaningful discussions and practical ideas that could contribute to a better electoral process ahead of 2027.

The organisers invited INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, media professionals and other stakeholders to participate in the programme.