Joyce Onwuka
The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) today reiterated their commitment to the monitoring of the Anambra governorship election in real time through the Anambra Election Observation Hub, with a view to safeguarding journalists, verifying electoral information, and promoting transparent and credible polling.
With over 2.8 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas on November 8, 2025, the organisations and some of their partners have featured on three radio programmes and one television show through which they have urged electoral stakeholders, particularly the Independent Electoral Commission and the security agencies to strengthen protections for journalists throughout the polls. Such safeguards, they noted, are essential to ensuring journalists’ safety, operational freedom, and access to information, enabling accurate and independent reporting that reinforces electoral integrity and public trust. They have equally urged the election stakeholders to provide adequate voter education on the voting processes on election day.
Supported by the European Union under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU–SDGN) Programme Phase II, the Hub aims to enhance collaboration, transparency, and accountability by fostering information exchange among media, civil society, security agencies, and INEC, and by responding swiftly to issues that may affect electoral integrity.
During the observation period, the Hub will host press briefings, field monitoring, and live media assessment across traditional and digital platforms, track journalist safety risks, and carry out electoral fact-checking to counter misinformation. Representatives will also provide real-time analysis on radio and television, promoting voter confidence and addressing emerging issues.
A key component of the Hub is its rapid response mechanism, which enables swift identification, escalation, and resolution of election-related incidents, including threats to journalists, voter suppression, and disinformation. Observers deployed across all 21 local government areas will compile reports in real time to guide evidence-based interventions and inform public statements.
The intervention by IPC and CEMESO is further informed by pre-election analysis data from June 2024 to October 2025, highlighting potential risks for journalists covering the Anambra elections. The data had revealed that 18 journalists were reportedly detained by vigilante operatives in Nnewi during the Anambra South senatorial by-election on August 16, 2025, while other incidents in Nnewi South, Aguata, Ihiala, and Orumba South involved assaults and targeted disinformation. These developments underscore the urgent need for authorities and electoral stakeholders to ensure a safe environment that allows journalists to report freely, professionally, and without fear, reinforcing press freedom and credible election coverage.
Speaking on the planned activities, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “The Anambra governorship election faces not only traditional risks but also evolving digital threats, including coordinated misinformation targeting journalists. “Through the IPC Safety and Projection of Journalists (SPJ) and Election Observation Hub, we are using real-time risk analytics to map threat hotspots, verify information, and protect both reporters and the integrity of the information ecosystem” the Executive Director of IPC said, adding that the hotlines for the IPC-SPJ hub are as follows: 08132776441, 07069451562.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu said: “By tracking misinformation networks and amplifying verified reporting via Halt Fake and Nigerian Democratic Report our data-driven observation strengthens media accountability and ensures voters have access to trustworthy information in real time.”
In line with their commitment to enhancing media professionalism and resilience, both partners have developed key resource guides for journalists, including Broadcast Media Coverage of Elections-Related Politics in Nigeria, Guidelines on Fact-Checking Electoral Misinformation and Disinformation, the Journalists Safety & Professional Advisory, as well as the 2025 Media Safety and Freedom Status Assessment and Media Guidelines for Disability-Inclusive Coverage of Elections in Nigeria. These resources, accessible online, are designed to help journalists navigate the challenges of election coverage safely and ethically, while promoting accuracy, verification, and responsible reporting.
The organisations charged journalists to also spare the time to study the guidelines provided in other resource materials such as the Nigeria Media Code of Election Coverage, Resource Manual for reporting Elections and Democratic Accountability, and Reporting Electoral Campaign Finances – FOI Manual for Journalists to strengthen their professionalism and guide them in inclusive, conflict-sensitive and public interest focused reporting of the election.
The Anambra Election Observation Hub is a coalition of key EU-SDGN II implementing partners, including Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, the International Press Centre (IPC), the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), ElectHER, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and TAF Africa.
The EU-SDGN II Programme works across six interconnected areas, supporting INEC, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, political parties, civil society, and the media. Through these efforts, the programme demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
By promoting coordinated reforms and reinforcing democratic institutions, it aims to ensure a system of governance where all voices are represented and heard.