By Azeez Balogun and Fathia Akinrinade
The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has called for credible 2027 elections, urging the media, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and voters to effectively play their respective roles in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and encouraging greater voter participation.
The president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, made the call at the Fourth Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event was in honour of the late former governor of Lagos State and veteran journalist, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, for his remarkable contributions to journalism, public service and governance.
The theme of the lecture is “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections.”
Anaba in his opening speech, said the media and INEC must effectively discharge their responsibilities to ensure that the electorate was well informed, more vigilant and better equipped to make choices that would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, stressed the need for greater collaboration among the media, INEC, voters, political parties and civil society organisations to safeguard the credibility of future elections.
He warned that Nigeria’s electoral process continued to face challenges such as electoral malpractice, political interference, vote-buying, misinformation, weak institutions and declining public trust, noting that unless the issues were addressed, they could threaten the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Akhaine asserted that the media had a constitutional responsibility to uphold truth, promote accountability and provide balanced, factual and objective coverage before, during and after elections.
He urged journalists to resist fake news, disinformation and political manipulation in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
He added that only the collective commitment of the media, INEC, political actors, civil society organisations and the electorate would guarantee transparent and credible elections capable of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chief Host, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, urged the media to work with the federal government.
“We must ensure that people take media content for whatever it is because that’s the only way to survive,” he said.
The lecture was chaired by Professor Lai Olorode.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the widow of Jakande, Mrs Sikirat Abimbola Jakande; Chairman of Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Seyi Jakande; and other members of the Jakande family.
Professor Olorode urged Nigerians to desist from criminalising public office holders.
“The media has a role to play in correcting this mindset and changing the wrong perception about public service,” he warned.
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