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