Ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, key stakeholders including the International Press Centre, INEC, Police, National Orientation Agency, and NUJ have pledged stronger collaboration to guarantee journalist safety, voter education, and a free, fair poll.
The stakeholders made the pledge during a two day Media and Election Stakeholders on credible Election in EKiti State.
The Executive Director, International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, called for the safety of journalists and prompt investigation of any attacks on media personnel while they perform electoral duties. He stressed that protecting reporters on the field is essential to credible election coverage and democratic accountability.
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said different measures have been put in place, such as provision of adequate security and collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure a free, fair, and acceptable governorship poll in Ekiti.
On his part, the Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Sunday Abutu, said the command would ensure that the poll is adjudged the best in the history of Ekiti. He warned anyone who may want to foment trouble before, during, and after the poll to have a change of mind, adding that anybody caught engaging in vote buying and other electoral malpractices would be prosecuted.
Speaking on the role of the National Orientation Agency, NOA Director in Ekiti State, Mrs. Oluwakemi Akomolede, confirmed that different sensitisation programmes have been carried out across towns and villages in Ekiti State to enlighten the electorate on the need to vote during the election and to address voter apathy.
The NOA Director called on security agents and media professionals to perform their duties in line with the code of conduct of their professions, urging them to be unbiased umpires during the governorship election.
Also, the Chairman of NUJ in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Babatuyi, promised that the union would partner INEC and security agencies to prevent fake news during the exercise. He cautioned fake journalists to stay away from the state during the poll, saying anyone caught would be prosecuted.
