Politics
Polls: NUJ Tasks Officials On Neutrality, Decorum
The Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ) has charged critical stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure that the rerun elections scheduled for tomorrow across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State are seen to be free, fair and credible by all standards.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, and made available to The Tide, yesterday, the Zonal Secretary, South-South of NUJ, Opaka Dokubo, particularly urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acquit itself creditably by being fair and firm in dealing with all parties in the contest, and in strict adherence to its rules and guidelines.
Dokubo said that “while we see reason for the massive security deployment to the state for the election, we cannot but implore them to strictly keep to their security duties, and completely stay away from the electoral process”.
The statement expressed grave “dismay that politicians in the state have engaged more in demonizing their opponents in their campaign messages rather than dwell on what and how they intend to better the lot of the people.
“We, therefore, appeal to the political elite in the state to change their rhetoric, and assume a conciliatory posture in speech and in action that will engender peace and harmonious co-existence before, during and after the elections,” the NUJ said.
Dokubo also tasked all journalists in the state to maintain the highest level of professionalism and neutrality, and avoid the temptation of being drawn into the political fray, adding that the political atmosphere in the state was already at boiling point, accentuated by the unwholesome activities and unguarded language of the political class.
“We must, therefore, consciously not add to the raging inferno by being at our professional best in the coverage and reportage of the election,” the statement noted, emphasizing that “as journalists, our reports must continue to be unbiased, balanced, fair, factual and conflict-sensitive.”
The NUJ further implored journalists covering the elections to prioritise their personal safety and security as they go about their lawful duties.
Similarly, the Rivers State council of the NUJ has called on all stakeholders to comport themselves in such manner as is befitting of a people seeking the best for society, urging journalists to avoid anything capable of fanning the embers of discord and rancour.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the state Chairman, Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, and Secretary, Soibi Max-Alalibo, the union admitted that while nobody wants to lose any election, “it is imperative that we accept as a fact that only one winner must emerge at the end of the contest”, and advised politicians not to see the elections as a “do or die affair”.
The union urged journalists covering the elections to be conscious of “the fact that at no time is their ability to report dispassionately needed than the period of imminent crisis, which the March 19 rerun elections portend,” it also urged them to be neutral while maintaining the highest level of professionalism.
The statement called on security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the electorate before, during and after the polls, and further charged the leadership of INEC to ensure that its staff understand and appreciate the fact that only strict adherence to the dictates of their duty as unbiased arbiters can exonerate them from partisanship, and make the outcome acceptable to all.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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