BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan has charged the media to continue to synergize with the Commission to create a conducive atmosphere for free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections by reporting meticulously and professionally.
The INEC Boss, while speaking at a public presentation of a Book “The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists” written by INEC Press Corps Chairman, Segun Ojumu in Abuja on Friday, stated that the Commission cherishes the Corps in assisting the Commission to deliver on its mandate which is free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
He said, “Since my tenure began, our mandate has been clear and unwavering: to deliver free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people. The credibility of our electoral process is paramount; it is the very foundation upon which our democracy stands. And you, the over 100 members of the INEC Press Corps, are one of the indispensable links between the Commission’s operations and the voting public. Your role is absolutely critical. You are some of the frontline correspondents who ensure electoral outcomes are transparent and verifiable. You are important chroniclers who validate the integrity of the process for the entire nation.
“In the lead-up to recent exercises, such as the Anambra Governorship Election and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), we have seen the incredible power of your reporting to inform, mobilise, and hold stakeholders to account. You transmitted the details of the final voters’ register for the Anambra governorship poll, the extended Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection period, and the massive security deployments for the election. Your platforms were essential in covering the signing of the Peace Accord, an initiative aimed at mitigating violence and tensions. When political actors commit to peace, you ensure that the message cascades to every supporter at every level.
“However, even the strongest electoral systems can be undermined by misinformation, misinterpretation, or deliberate distortion.”
Prof. Amupitan noted that the book, therefore, reminds us that democracy stands or falls on public trust adding, “In its pages, Mr. Ojumu must have looked at the electorate’s primary safeguards against manipulation and malpractice.”
He further noted that the media provide the on-ground verification that sustains confidence in the ballot noting that the stories they tell, the accuracy they uphold, and the fairness they demonstrate play a critical role in ultimately legitimising election results, adding , “At a time when false narratives can spread faster than the truth, your meticulous and professional documentation is needed more than ever before.”
Speaking further, the INEC Chairman said, “As we navigate this period of intense electoral activity (from the FCT Area Council polls in February 2026 to the upcoming governorship contests in Ekiti and Osun), INEC remains committed to openness and accountability. We have intensified our engagement with stakeholders, strengthened our use of technology like BVAS and IReV, and deepened our collaboration with security agencies, civil society, and the media”.
He stressed that Elections do not succeed on technology alone; they succeed when the public believes in the information they receive and therefore the work documented in this book celebrates the media decisive role in helping to shape the national understanding of the electoral process.
He disclosed that to facilitate swift and accurate reporting, INEC official website and all digital channels are veritable and authoritative points of contact for the media which is in conjunction with the support the media receive from designated officials authorised to interface with you. He cautioned that the era of relying on rumour and unverified sources must end, saying , “If in doubt about any figure, process, or policy, we urge you to verify from us directly.”
Commending the efforts of the Commission’s Press Corps, Prof. Amupitan said, “Gentlemen and ladies of the INEC Press Corps, this book stands as a testament to your crucial service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is, in essence, a roadmap for building a more accountable electoral future for Nigeria. We seek your sustained, collaborative partnership to help the Commission deliver verified, accurate information to the Nigerian people, and to firmly combat the menace of vote-buying and all forms of election rigging. The media must play its role against deliberate falsehoods that suppress voter turnout, incite violence, or undermine the integrity of our results.
“Together, we can ensure that our elections are remembered not for discord, but for their spirit of unity, transparency, and the pursuit of common goals. Election remains the lifeblood of our democracy.
“This book is more than a collection of stories; it is, as many observers note, a comprehensive documentation of the sacrifices, the risks, and the behind-the-scenes experiences of the reporters who cover our nation’s complex electoral landscape.”
