The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said  establishing a separate body for local government elections could lead to redundancy, increased bureaucracy, and potential conflicts of interest.
President of the union, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, said this at the  INEC Quarterly Consultative Meeting with media executives on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the INEC headquarters, Abuja.
Comrade Isiguzo opined that the proposal by government to create an Independent Local Government Electoral Commission was unnecessary. Instead, leveraging INEC’s established framework, experience, and resources would be a more efficient and effective approach to managing local government elections.
He applauded the Supreme Court judgment which granted full autonomy to local government administrations, noting that the landmark ruling is a major stride towards strengthening democracy at the grassroots level.
He however proposed that for this autonomy to be truly conclusive and impactful, there was a need for constitutional amendments by the National Assembly.
Comrade Isiguzo said INEC enjoys constitutional authority to conduct national and sub-national elections and extending this authority to include the third tier of government will ensure uniformity, credibility, and efficiency in the electoral process.
He stressed that the importance of engaging with the media, especially in the context of elections, cannot be overemphasized, adding that the media serves as the bridge between the electoral commission and the citizens.
“This synergy between INEC and the media is crucial as we approach the off-season gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states”, he said.
“The transparency and efficiency with which elections are conducted directly influence the public’s confidence in our democratic processes. I am confident that INEC is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that these elections are free, fair, and credible”, he said.
Nigeria Union of Journalists, I reaffirm our commitment to supporting INEC in its mission to uphold the integrity of elections in Nigeria. Together, we can foster a democratic environment that is open, accountable, and reflective of the will of the people.”
Earlier in his remarks the INEC Chairman,  Prof Mahmood Yakubu reminded media organisations that the portal for media accreditation (https://imap.inecnigeria.org) was still open.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to the media for fair and factual reporting on the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja during INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with media executives.
He noted that the September 21 date for the Edo election and the November 16 date for the Ondo election were fast approaching, saying that INEC’s preparations were in top gear.
“I wish to remind you of your obligation as journalists to report factually and accurately about the election and electoral activities, in compliance with the ethics of your noble profession.
“You should continue to be a bulwark against fake news, misinformation and disinformation. I urge you to fully comply with the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage. Similarly, you are required to comply with the INEC guidelines for media accreditation available on our website,” Prof Yakubu said.
He expressed concern about the security situation in Edo and Ondo states, saying INEC would soon meet security agencies to fashion out security modalities.
He said, “We are as concerned about the safety of your personnel and equipment just as we are about the security of our officials, observers, service providers and, above all, the voters.
“We will also work with the security agencies to ensure that accredited journalists are granted unimpeded access to all voting and collation locations.
”The commission will meet with the security agencies as early as Friday this week under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue for discussion at the meeting.”
On INEC’s preparedness, he said, “It is now 51 days to the Edo State governorship election, coming up on Saturday 21st September 2024. Our preparations are going on in earnest. I am glad to report that we have recovered from the torrential rainfall that resulted in the severe flooding of our state headquarters in Benin City two months ago. The damage to the physical infrastructure as well as movable and immovable facilities are being fixed or replaced.
“We have delivered additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to Edo State for the training of election duty personnel as well as contingency for election day support. We have once again published the final list of candidates in compliance with the recent court order mandating the commission to replace the running mate with the candidate of the Labour Party. The amended list is already published on our website,” he said.

The National Chairman of Abia State Elders Consultative Forum, Archbishop Princewilll Ariwodor, has challenged President Bola Tinubu, to honourably quit if he had no solution to the crumbling Nigerian economy.
The cleric, who was recently elected the world President of International College and Council of Bishops and Apostles, ICCOBA, in Dublin, spoke with The Tide’s source in the wake of the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance.
He argued that the President should not have made himself available to lead the country if he knew he had no solution to the challenges plaguing the nation particularly the hardship created by his policies.
Archbishop Ariwodor cautioned Government against any attempt to scare citizens from holding peaceful protest, describing such as an ambush against democracy.
He decried the precarious economic situation in the country, and called for urgent action to revamp it.
“We have never experienced this level of decay in the economic management of this country. Other leaders were in one way or the other better than the current Government.
“Tinubu should resign if he is unable to fix the economy. The Nigerian economy was far better before he took over. Buhari handed over to him a better economy which he has now destroyed”.
Archbishop Ariwodor warned against use of force to suppress the nationwide protest, insisting that Nigerians have right to peaceful protest.
“Nigerians are hungry and have the constitutional right to express their grievances through peaceful protest.
“The people are not violent, so, why will you apply force against peaceful protesters?
“Why will you flog people and ask them not to cry? You are flogging the nation and shouldn’t ask the people not to cry”.
“We want to dissociate ourselves with the advice of Igbo leaders who found themselves in position of authority, and do not see the level of suffering of the Nigerian masses as a result of bad governance.
“ Why will you want people to keep quiet and remain in the House when a cup of beans is N600 and two cups of garri N500?”
He, however, advised the protesters not to go violent but express their grievances within the ambit of the law.