Yemisi Izuora
As preparations intensify for the Ekiti State governorship election, the International
Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) are
convening high-level media–stakeholder forum from April 15 to 16, 2026, aimed at
reinforcing electoral accountability and safeguarding the integrity of the process.
The engagements are within the framework of Component 4 (Support to Media)
of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria
Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme and will bring together journalists and key
institutional actors to interrogate the evolving dynamics shaping the electoral
environment and the media’s critical role in enabling informed political choices.
Deliberations on the opening day will centre on early warning indicators within the
Ekiti socio-political landscape, alongside a forward-looking assessment of emerging
threats to information integrity.
Emphasis will be placed on strengthening the capacity of the media to deliver accurate,
issue-driven, inclusive, and gender-responsive reporting across the electoral cycle.
The forum will also draw on the European Union Election Observation Mission
(EU EOM) recommendations on media conduct during elections, while
examining regulatory frameworks governing electoral coverage, including the
Electoral Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and the Nigerian Media Code
of Election Coverage.
Proceedings on the second day will feature a multi-stakeholder panel comprising
representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Union
of Journalists (NUJ), and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists
(NAWOJ) in Ekiti State.
Discussions will focus on operational collaboration around journalists’ safety, conflict-
sensitive reporting, and the promotion of peaceful civic engagement.Targeted media appearances and broadcast features across major radio and television stations in Ekiti will follow on April 17, 2026, aimed at strengthening voter awareness and promoting peaceful, transparent, and inclusive electoral participation.
The forum will bring together about 50 journalists across print, broadcast, and digital
platforms, building on similar engagements in Edo, Kogi, Anambra, and Ondo to
strengthen professionalism and transparency.
Ahead of the forum, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade,
said:
“Electoral integrity in Nigeria continues to be undermined by violence, interference,
vote buying, weak enforcement, misinformation, and the growing threat of deepfakes,
all of which erode public trust in the process. Given the media’s pivotal role in
promoting truth and accountability, accurate and responsible reporting remains
essential to safeguarding electoral probity. This initiative seeks to strengthen the
media, deepen collaboration among stakeholders, and reinforce accountability ahead
of the Ekiti poll.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, said:
“As preparations for the Ekiti governorship election progress, the information space is
becoming increasingly complex, requiring stronger capacity for accurate and
responsible reporting. This forum provides an opportunity for media practitioners and
election stakeholders to engage on practical approaches to improving collaboration,
strengthening preparedness, and supporting a more informed electoral environment.”
The initiative will also be extended to the Osun governorship election scheduled for
August 2026.
The Support to Media component seeks to strengthen democratic consolidation in
Nigeria by enhancing the capacity of broadcast, print, and online media to deliver
professional and responsible electoral coverage.
Through its six interconnected components supporting INEC, the National
Assembly, the Judiciary, political parties, civil society, and the media, the
EU-SDGN II programme demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to
fostering a more inclusive, pluralistic, and participatory democracy in Nigeria.