The Special Adviser on Media to Kogi State Governor, Hon. Ismaila Isah has called on the media to uphold accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He stated this during the public launch of the book “The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists” in Abuja.
In a goodwill message, Isah paid tribute to the book’s author, Segun Ojumu, recalling their shared history as student journalists at Bayero University, Kano.
He commended Ojumu’s consistency, integrity and commitment to truth, noting how the book reveals untold stories of election journalists who act as silent watchers between the people and the electoral process.
Hon. Isah emphasized that the publication reframes national conversations around transparency and accountability.
The event was graced by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, who urged the Nigerian media to continue playing its constitutional role without undermining the electoral process.
Earlier, Prof. Amupitan warned that even the strongest electoral systems can be weakened by misinterpretation and deliberate distortion.
He stressed that democracy stands or falls on public trust and called on journalists to avoid rumor-based reporting, urging them instead to verify information directly with the Commission.
Prof. Amupitan commended the INEC Press Corps for its professionalism, stating that over 100 members of the corps serve as a vital bridge between the Commission and the public.
He emphasized the corps’ consistent provision of credible updates during governorship elections and ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercises.
Similiarly, the author of the book and Chairman of the INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu described the publication as a personal journey inspired by over a decade of election reportage.
He said the book documented the sacrifices, risks and courage of journalists working in challenging environments to defend the public’s right to accurate information.
Ojumu also noted how INEC’s technological innovations, including digital accreditation and the IReV results portal, have transformed election coverage, demanding more analytical reporting.
He called for continuous training and better welfare support for journalists, emphasizing that democracy can only thrive when those who report it are protected.
