IPC, CEMESO LEAD STRATEGIC MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AHEAD OF ANAMBRA GUBER POLL.
As the Anambra State governorship election draws near, stakeholders across diverse sectors have intensified efforts to ensure the November 8th poll is both credible and successful.
Among the activities driving this momentum are stakeholder meetings, aspirant-focused conferences, and election-based workshops—all geared toward fostering transparency and voter confidence.
Journalists and media leaders in Anambra State have also joined the pre-election engagements, participating in a two-day exclusive forum aimed at refining strategic approaches for improved electoral coverage.
The forum, held on Wednesday, October 15th and Thursday, October 16th, 2025 in Awka, was convened by the International Press Center (IPC) in partnership with the Center for Media and Society (CEMESO), with support from the European Union (EU) under Component 4: Support to Media of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).
The theme of the forum, “Enhanced Reportage, Exclusivity, and Accountability of Stakeholders Towards Anambra Guber Poll,” set the tone for technical and interactive sessions focused on ethical journalism, inclusive coverage, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The goal: to strengthen professional capacity and promote peaceful, transparent elections.
In his keynote address, IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, described elections as the bedrock of democracy. He emphasized the need to retrain journalists on ethical and professional standards, noting that such efforts would foster accountability and deepen participatory governance.
He urged media practitioners to uphold the Code of Election Coverage, document campaign promises diligently, and maintain ethical conduct throughout all phases of the electoral process.
Echoing this, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, highlighted the forum’s role in bridging the gap between political aspirants and the electorate.
“This engagement is about renewing conversations between those who seek to govern and those who choose their leaders,” he said. “It’s a call to amplify voices, uphold media freedom, and strengthen electoral integrity in the face of rising polarization.”
Dr. Akingbulu also acknowledged the unique challenges posed by off-cycle elections and commended the EU’s commitment to democratic development through media empowerment. He stressed the importance of journalist safety and the urgent need to combat misinformation and disinformation, especially across social media platforms.
Delivering a presentation titled “Embedding Ethics, Professionalism, Inclusion, and Issue-Focused Reporting Before and After the Anambra Election,” Dr. Njide Ezeonyejiaku of the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, emphasized that ethical journalism and inclusive reporting are pillars of credible electoral coverage. She urged reporters to remain committed to the public interest and uphold the values of the profession.
Security agencies also lent their voices. SP Tochukwu Ikenga of the Nigeria Police and a representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) assured participants of robust security measures to ensure a peaceful election. They cautioned voters against bringing weapons to polling units and called on the media to help discourage vote-buying and promote civic responsibility.
Ambassador Jake Epelle, CEO of TAF Africa, advocated for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the electoral process. He urged political parties and security agencies to uphold provisions of the electoral law that guarantee their participation, and encouraged the media to spotlight these efforts in their coverage.
Closing the forum, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, praised the organizers for what he described as one of the most impactful training sessions the Union has witnessed in recent times. He called on IPC to sustain its partnership with NUJ to further enhance professional development among journalists.
