Abuja: The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have called for a stronger partnership between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the media ahead of the 2027 general elections. This call was made during the 2026 Democracy Roundtable themed ‘Making Nigerians’ Votes Count in 2027: The Role of INEC’, organized by the NUJ, NAN Chapel, Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, leaders from both NAN and NUJ emphasized the essential role of the media in voter education, election monitoring, and combating misinformation, highlighting the necessity of a collaborative relationship with the electoral body for effective and accurate information dissemination. The Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali M Ali, represented by the Editor-in-Chief, Mufutua Ojo, described the roundtable as timely, considering the preparations for the upcoming elections. Ali reaffirmed NAN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote democratic governance and electoral credibility, viewing all stakeholders as partners in national development.
The Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council, Ms. Grace Ike, stated that the media and other democratic institutions play a crucial role in sustaining a healthy democracy. She noted that while INEC is responsible for conducting credible elections, ensuring electoral integrity is a collective responsibility involving all stakeholders. Ike recalled interactions with young Nigerians who had lost confidence in the electoral process but expressed optimism that ongoing voter education initiatives were slowly restoring public confidence.
Ms. Ike outlined expectations from INEC regarding transparent electoral processes, timely information publication, and effective communication of regulations. She advocated for robust voter education campaigns targeting young people, rural communities, and persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive participation. Additionally, she urged INEC to provide full disclosure on election technologies and establish accessible complaints mechanisms to strengthen public trust.
Ike also called on media practitioners to uphold professionalism by verifying information, avoiding rumor spread, and providing context in election reporting. She encouraged journalists to simplify technical electoral information and translate it into indigenous languages to improve public understanding. The NUJ FCT chairman announced plans to establish a dedicated Election Situation Room during the 2027 elections to monitor developments and support field reporters.
The Chairman of the NAN Chapel of the NUJ, Collins Yakubu-Hammer, stressed the importance of credible elections as the foundation of democracy. He urged INEC to conduct free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections, maintain an accurate voters’ register, and ensure the impartial enforcement of electoral laws. Yakubu-Hammer emphasized that political parties must embrace issue-based campaigns, security agencies must ensure a peaceful voting environment, and citizens must reject vote-buying and electoral violence.
The roundtable concluded with a call for collaboration among all stakeholders to strengthen public trust in the electoral process and ensure that the 2027 elections truly reflect the will of the people.