Politics
2023: Gov Tasks Journalists On Fairness, Accuracy
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has urged journalists to abide by the principles of fairness, accuracy and balance in the coverage of political campaigns and activities for the 2023 elections.
Mohammed made the call at the 2022 Annual Media Retreat organised by the Federal Capital Territory Minister’s Press Corps, on Friday in Bauchi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the retreat was: “The Role of Residents, the Media and FCT Administration in holding Area Council Chairmen Accountable to Service Provision and Infrastructure Delivery”.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Malam Muktar Gidado, the governor also enjoined media practitioners to eschew mischief, inflammatory reports and fake stories.
Mohammed said the call became necessary for the sustenance of the country’s nascent democracy and political stability.
He added that media practitioners in Bauchi State have enjoyed unalloyed support from the state government that has been giving them the needed advantage to operate seamlessly.
Mohammed said: “ And as you are getting set to cover the 2023 elections, you must ensure that the principles of fairness, accuracy and balance in the coverage of political campaigns and activities are observed.
“ You should also shun biased reporting of events and remain steadfast in the discharge of your duties.”
Mohammed also said that his administration had besides building a cordial relationship with the media, also made giant strides in community development.
According to him, “with the resources available to the state, critical projects had been successfully executed in key sectors of the economy.
“ We have executed projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the generality of the people of the state.
“ We have constructed network of roads in both urban and rural areas to facilitate socio-economic activities across the state.
“ Schools and health facilities had been constructed, renovated, provided with the necessary equipment and furniture, while water supply schemes in the state capital and local governments headquarters had been executed.
“ We have also provided fertilizer and other agricultural inputs and machinery to our teeming farmers.
“The State Secretariat and Secretariats of all the 20 Local Governments had been totally renovated to provide conducive working environment for our workers,” Mohammed said.
Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), Ibrahim Dantsoho, underscored the importance of an effective participatory of the media practitioners and other citizenry in the democratic process, especially at the grassroots level.
Dantsoho, who said that the media play complementary roles in governance, spoke of the need for journalists not to relent in discharging their constitutional roles as the third eye of the society.
Represented by Director, Chieftaincy Matters, Malam
Awwal Dogon-Daji, the secretary said, “democracy requires that people should have the right to know the activities of government, especially the decision of government that
affects their life, liberty and property.
“Information is important for people to make choices regarding their participation in the state.
“Sufficient information helps people to decide rationally and take the right course of action beneficial to them.
“Citizens and civil society engagement to demand and promote good governance can improve by and large the viability of good governance and anti corruption programme.
“This is because the success of democracy is impossible without participation of the people”
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, urged media professionals to always be aware of the enormous power they possess and use it for the good of the society.
He, however, decried the poor participation in the democratic process by the citizens, resulting in the low demand for accountability.
Also, the Chairman, FCT Minister’s Press Corps, Malam Hudu Yakubu, called on media practitioners to beam more searchlights on the activities of all levels of government, especially the local councils.
“ Every tier of government has a responsibility of protecting and improving the lives of citizens and in this case, we are focusing on the 3rd tier of government, which is the local government, called Area Councils in the FCT.”
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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