Communication expert John Best Uche has stressed that responsible communication is essential to protecting electoral integrity, especially as digital platforms continue to shape public opinion and democratic participation across Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking after attending a three-day Social Media Influencers Training Camp for Electoral Integrity in Enugu, organised by FIAP in partnership with FactCheck Africa under the European Union Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance Project, he said democracy now depends as much on responsible online behaviour as on electoral institutions.

The training brought together media practitioners, young influencers and digital content creators from the South-South and South-East to improve their ability to identify and counter misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, hate speech and AI-generated deceptive content.

According to John Best, false information can discourage voter participation, weaken trust in democratic institutions and fuel social division before elections even take place.

He noted that participants were trained on Nigeria's electoral system, ethical communication, conflict-sensitive storytelling, audience behaviour, digital algorithms and practical strategies for promoting fact-checking through the #CheckBeforeYouPost campaign.

He also argued that electoral integrity is closely linked to sustainable development because credible information supports peaceful elections, stronger institutions and public trust.

Referencing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, he highlighted the importance of media literacy, inclusive participation and partnerships among governments, civil society, technology companies and communication professionals.

While reaffirming his commitment through initiatives such as The Social Voice Africa and the Diplomacy and Corporate Communication Conference, he maintained that communication should always prioritise truth, evidence and public interest over online popularity.

The article, however, also observes that translating these principles into practice during Nigeria's 2027 elections may remain challenging because political realities often extend beyond academic discussions and professional communication standards.