The Anamba State Government and the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) have pledged mutual cooperation towards combating fake news, misinformation, and disinformation ahead of the November 8 gubernatorial election in the state.
The agreement reached during an advocacy visit by SIDEC to the office of the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, in Awka, also seeks to ensure at least 25% voter turnout in the forthcoming election.
The partnership is under the Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy, and Civic Transformation (IMPACT) Project, implemented by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in partnership with SIDEC and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
Project IMPACT is designed to increase the participation of women, youth and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in governance in Anambra and Imo States.
SIDEC Executive Director, Ugochi Ehiahuruike explained that Project IMPACT seeks to counter disinformation ahead of the polls while also strengthening inclusive civic participation.
She lamented that the 2021 gubernatorial election recorded only 10% turnout, underscoring voter apathy.
According to her, disinformation, misinformation, and fake news pose significant threats to electoral integrity and citizen participation.
“Project IMPACT targets 15 structured markets in Anambra, leveraging grassroots engagement, digital mobilization, voter education, and counter-disinformation strategies,” she noted.
She also emphasized the project’s push for the Special Seats Bill to enhance women’s participation.
“We currently have only two women out of thirty seats in the state assembly, and just one female local government chairperson out of twenty-one. At the market level, no woman serves as a market leader,” she said.
Responding, Commissioner Mefor decried the growing dangers of fake news, insisting that the menace must be confronted with the seriousness it deserves.
“We have been treating fake news with kid gloves. We should go after the purveyors. They are as bad and dangerous as kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, and yahoo plus.
“To understand the ill of fake news, you need to know why lying is considered both a moral sin and a crime. It alters reality and leads to very serious miscalculations and decisions that can even lead to the end of mankind.
“For me, purveyors of fake news should be dragged to court and made to face the consequences.”
He pledged his ministry’s readiness to partner with SIDEC in implementing Project IMPACT.
“The Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment has a two-pronged mandate: information dissemination and public enlightenment.
“It has always been our prayer to find worthy partners. One thing is sure—we have accepted your request and we will do our best for it to succeed,” Mefor assured.
The Commissioner acknowledged the persistent apathy of Anambra’s business-oriented citizens toward elections and described SIDEC’s target of 25% voter turnout as realistic.
