Nigeria, Jan. 13 -- On 3 January, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria's electoral umpire, denied having published the 2027 election schedule.

As it often happens, the Nigerian mass media was eager to affirm, "Not me!" But equally ready to quote and take the power's word for it, many outlets widely published the denial.

But INEC was wrong, and so were the outlets that broadcast its claim - particularly Daily Trust, The PUNCH and The Guardian - because in March 2018, INEC put its 37-year election calendar in place, making the front pages.

That calendar was not invalidated by the Electoral Act 2022, which provides that INEC should publish election notices not later than 360 days ahead of an election.

INEC's deni...