Politics
2023: Guard Against Sensational Reportage, INEC Tells Journalists
Media professionals in Nasarawa State have been charged to avoid sensational reportage in the course of the 2023 general elections.
The National Commissioner in charge of Information and Chairman, Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barr Festus Okoye gave the charge in Lafia, on Wednesday, at a one-day training for journalists in the North-Central region ahead of the 2023 general elections.
According to him, sensationalism and casting of misleading headlines were capable of causing the breakdown of law and order in the country.
“Today, people are in a hurry and are not ready to read the body of a story, hence you should avoid the breaking-news-syndrome that would turn out to be fake where the details would never come.
“You must also avoid hasty generalisation and verify a particular issue before reporting. Also avoid ethnic and religious profiling and the copy and past journalism,” Okoye said.
The INEC Commissioner also called on journalists covering the forthcoming elections to be acquainted with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
He said the commission has introduced new technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter authentication and to enable electronic transmission of the results right from the polling units.
He noted that only voters registered by the commission and have obtained their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote, assuring of INEC’s commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections come 2023.
On the safety of journalists, Okoye, said INEC was training security agents that would be on electoral duty on how to counsel individuals and journalists on national assignment.
The commissioner said that the commission had also initiated an updated policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to enable voting in the various IDPs camps across the country.
He, appealed to the media to cooperate with the INEC to enable them deliver on their mandate.
In his address, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Nasarawa,
Dr Uthman Ajidagba, commended INEC and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for organising the workshop, saying that it was apt, especially as the 2023 general elections were at the corner.
Ajidagba said INEC had begun its preparation for the forthcoming elections immediately after the 2019 general elections by identifying areas of strengths and weaknesses and improving on them.
“We introduced new innovations, especially the BVAS and it has been tested in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun elections,” he said.
Earlier, in a welcome address, President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, represented by the National Treasurer, Dele Atunbi called on journalists to advance public interest, earn public trust and be watchdogs of the society by reporting the truth for the good of the society.
“It’s obligatory for every journalist to maximally comply with ethical principles and professional standards,” he said.
He, called on participants to avail themselves of the training opportunity to ensure that a level playing field is provided for all political actors and ensure that peoples’ votes count through a highly professional management of news before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The Tide source reports that the training was organised by INEC in collaboration with NUJ and was attended by journalists from different media organisations in the state.
Papers presented at the workshop included: Electoral Act 2022 and the 2023 General Elections; INEC’s New Technologies for 2023 General Elections; and The Role Of The Media In The 2023 General Elections.
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.