By Oluwagbemi Elijah and Bankole Shukurat
Stakeholders at the Fourth Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture have called for stronger collaboration among the media, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, voters, political parties and civil society organisations to ensure credible elections ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The lecture, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together media professionals, academics, government officials, students and other stakeholders to examine the role of democratic institutions in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking at the event, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, said the memorial lecture was established to preserve the legacy of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande through discussions on national development and democratic governance.
He noted that this year’s theme, “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections,” reflected the urgent need to improve Nigeria’s electoral system as preparations began for 2027 elections.
Delivering the keynote address, political science Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine stressed that credible elections could only be achieved through the collective efforts of the media, INEC, voters, political parties and civil society organisations.
He identified electoral malpractice, political interference, vote-buying, misinformation, weak institutions and declining public trust as major threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
Akhaine urged journalists to uphold professionalism by providing accurate, balanced and objective reports while resisting fake news, disinformation and political manipulation.
He also called for greater institutional independence for INEC, noting that although the commission’s adoption of technology had improved election management, further reforms were needed to strengthen public confidence.
The professor encouraged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and other forms of electoral inducement, describing informed and responsible voting as essential to sustaining democratic governance.
Reviewing Nigeria’s electoral history since 1999, he maintained that credible elections remained the foundation of accountability, good governance and political stability.
Earlier, the deputy president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Mr. Olumide Iyanda, commended the NGE for sustaining the memorial lecture series in honour of the late Lateef Jakande, describing it as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Deji Jakande, son of the late former governor, who appreciated participants for keeping alive his father’s legacy of public service, journalism and commitment to democratic ideals.
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