BAYO AGBOOLA from Ibadan reviews the preparatory capacity training workshop for the 2023 general polls in Oyo state, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
Why INEC, NUJ collaborate
With all eyes on the February 25th commencement of the general elections, the major stakeholders in the nation’s democracy, particularly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) under the leadership of Chief Chris Isiguzo, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure free, fair and generally acceptable polls.
In demonstrating commitment, a one-day training organised in collaboration with INEC themed: ‘Conflict Sensitive Reporting and 2023 General Election’, was held Tuesday, December 21, in Ibadan Oyo state for media practitioners.
The workshop was aimed at ensuring that journalists imbibed the right principles in reporting the general elections. It was to prepare and enlighten newsmen on the roles expected of them before, during and after the elections.
To the organisers, training journalists is pathway for preparing grounds for the forthcoming general elections now regarded as a make or mar for the future Nigeria as a country.
NUJ president harps on promoting democracy
NUJ National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, while speaking at the one day training left no one in doubt of the commitment and readiness of journalists across the country to credible and hitch free polls come 2023.
He said, “For us as media professionals, we see it as a cardinal objective to promote democracy and development and, therefore, we shall continue to work with INEC to ensure that democracy works properly in the country”.
Represented by the National Trustee NUJ Zone F, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, the NUJ President said “media professionals in Nigeria are determined to promote democracy and development as an essential factor in the process of democracy, they do not only monitor governance and make government accountable, but also help to mobilise the populace to participate in the process of governance and development.
“Let me first of all express the gratitude of my Union to INEC for providing this opportunity to discuss issues bordering on the 2023 general election in the Country. We are appreciative of the support from INEC over the years which indicates the kind of transparency and accountability required from an election management body.
“For us as media professionals, we see it as a cardinal objective to promote democracy and development and therefore we shall continue to work with INEC to ensure that democracy works properly in the Country”, he said.
Chief Isiguzo added, “The media, regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, are an essential factor in the process of democracy. They do not only monitor governance and make government accountable, but also help to mobilise the populace to participate in the process of governance and development”.
According to the NUJ National President, “since the functions of government are clear, in performing these functions, government officials are expected to be honest, responsible, transparent, accountable, efficient in administration and services delivery.
“Where any of these is lacking or is deliberately subverted, it is the responsibility of the media to raise alarm. It is therefore clear that the media are central in the process of ensuring credible elections in the country.
“It should be noted however, that in the course of their work over the years, many journalists have either lost their lives or had sustained various degrees of injuries or had their equipment damaged especially during election times, nothing or little is done to ensure accountability for attacks on journalists and the media in Nigeria, thus the culture of impunity for such attacks persists. It is important for stakeholders to work towards minimising these”, he said.
Emphasising that “it is an incontrovertible fact that the indispensable functions of the media cannot be performed without the guarantee of the safety of journalists and media workers. Without doubt, the safety of journalists is absolutely essential to the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all citizens as well as the right to development”.
Chief Isiguzo said, “the NUJ believes that for the masses of this country to actively participate in the democratic process, the media itself must be strengthened to ensure that some of the mechanisms through which community empowerment can be achieved are put in place, and this includes the unhindered access to information, and proactive initiatives like this with INEC which is aimed at strengthening the way and manner journalists perform their work during election times”.
“We all know that the feature of democracy lies in periodic and credible elections, during which mandates are either renewed or new leaders emerge. Election is therefore a necessity in promoting the democratic process.
“The role of the journalist, therefore, within the system, especially against the background of professional responsibility cannot be over emphasised. I, therefore, welcome you all to this very important forum and urge that journalists should avail themselves of this rare opportunity being offered today which is key in the course of their assignments”.
Stressing the need for journalists to be careful in reporting electoral matters so as not to cause fragile areas to explode, Isiguzo said “whatever we do as journalists, it is necessary to take the issue of peace as cardinal point and take into consideration the need to be careful so that areas that are already fragile do not explode or implode.
“Media professionals should brace up for the challenges ahead especially since they are expected to participate in the process of social reconstruction and democratisation by providing a positive and participatory forum for the exchange of ideas, democracy and nation building and while discharging their duties, journalists should never attempt to deviate from the ethics of the profession because it will not augur well for the nation”.
According to the NUJ National President, “in order to properly advance public interests, earn public trust and be watchdogs of the society, the pursuit of truth and public good must be the cornerstone of journalism practice in Nigeria. This makes it obligatory for every journalists to maximally comply with ethical principles and professionals standards.”
INEC perspective
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye while speaking through the INEC Deputy Director in charge of Gender Department, Mrs. Ndidi Okafor, assured of the commission’s determination at making the 2023 polls credible by blocking all forms of loopholes in the election processes, most especially rigging, thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes as well as vote buying a thing of the past.
Mr Okoye emphasised that as far as the 2023 polls will be concerned, politicians or political parties engaging in buying Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) for the 2023 general elections are wasting their time, energy and resources, saying, “anyone buying PVCs is embarking on effort in futility. It is an effort in futility. It is not possible to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers again.
“It is because of technology. What we are dealing with is the finger print and the face. So, if your finger did not match, then your face must march. If your finger print did not match and your face did not match, then you cannot vote, that means you are not the owner of the PVC. That is identity theft.
“The media have a constitutional role to hold the government and public office holders accountable and also to ensure that people have information, not just to disseminate information but accurate information.
“That is the reason the commission deems it fit to hold this capacity building training which has taken place in about 19 states for journalists so that they can understand what is new about the electoral processes, understand the technology that the commission is leveraging on to guarantee a level playing ground for all political parties and free, fair and credible elections”, he said.
Mr Okoye added, “as journalists covering the 2023 elections, you must be familiar and have basic knowledge about the new Electoral Act and guideline issued by the electoral umpire and understand all the legal processes involving the conduct of the 2023 elections.”
Oyo INEC, Head of ICT, Mrs Wumi Balogun in her presentation entitled: “INEC’s new technologies for 2023 General Elections” at the training declared that technology is being deployed by the commission for usage to enhance more credible elections respectively, saying, it is practically impossible for anyone to rig the election as INEC” is armed with sophisticated technology “.
INEC administrative secretary, Mr Abiodun Amosun, in his goodwill message said, “journalists are expected to have thorough understanding of all issues pertaining to elections, so as to help them convey details to citizens in simple and clear terms aimed at deepening democratic dividends and that the commission will always be up to the task and available to attend to everything that falls within the ambit of its mandates as enshrined in the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as we have always doing.
Mr Amosun urged media practitioners to avoid the ‘breaking news syndrome’ and verify all information before passing it across to the public, bearing in mind that they are playing an indispensable role in the proper functioning of democracy by protecting the fundamental human rights of the citizens.
Oyo NUJ tasks newsmen on proper conduct
Oyo state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola in his remarks at the training lauded the NUJ National President for collaborating with the INEC to organise such training which he described as first of its kind for members of the union, assuring that the participants would not take the opportunity for granted.
According to him, journalists would achieve this by living up to expectations in their conduct before, during and after the 2023 general elections
The communique
At the end of the one day training, a 17 points communique was issued on ways on enhancing credible, free and fair electoral processes and the expected roles of major stakeholders in the 2023 general elections as follows:
“That the NUJ and INEC should be commended for the workshop which brought NUJ members up to speed on what INEC is doing to ensure a hitch-free elections in 2023.
“That the workshop recognised the important role the media play in the electoral process and charged newsmen to take the issue of peace as a cardinal and take into consideration the need to be careful.
“That journalists should use the power of the mass media to ensure peace before, during and after elections.
“That media practitioners are enjoined to have a thorough understanding of the elections and the electoral process; and have an understanding of conflicts and convey same to the citizenry, reflecting the facts and truth.
“That media practitioners should brace up for the challenges ahead by embracing objectivity and professionalism to ensure free, fair and credible elections that will promote a peaceful transition of power in country
“That the media must always beem their searchlights on all the election stakeholders, especially, the Election Management Body, to ensure impartiality, transparency, inclusiveness and competence.
“That journalists should report election results as released or provided by INEC and monitor the entire process of vote counting.
“That journalists and INEC officials should shun financial inducement.
“That the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022 be further amended to accommodate Independent Candidacy and Diaspora Voting.
“That INEC should collaborate with NUJ to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
“That media owners and governments at all levels should provide insurance cover for journalists before, during and after elections.
“That the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should synergies with INEC, NUJ and other stakeholders to ensure increased and continuous Voter Education.
“That safety of journalists should be paramount to all election stakeholders.
“That INEC should see all journalists as one, no preferential treatment.
“That INEC should make Permanent Voters Card (PVC) collection easier and accessible at the ward level.
“That the federal government should re-enact the law establishing National Orientation Agency (NOA) for effective service delivery, especially to ensure increased voter education.
“That candidates vying for positions should not make it a do-or-die affair and play according to the rules of the game.”
Some of the journalists who attended the training agreed the one day training will go a long in broadening the knowledge as well as enhance the ability of media in the coverage of the 2023 general elections.
