IPC, CEMESO Urge Journalists to Prioritise Safety Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election

(Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade. Photo Credit: TheCable)

The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have urged journalists covering Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election to uphold professional standards and prioritize their personal safety while on duty.

Speaking at a press briefing, IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade stressed the importance of journalists remaining safety-conscious and avoiding situations that could put them at risk during the election, which will be held across the state’s 16 local government areas.

He reminded reporters of the need to maintain strict non-partisanship, clarifying that this extends beyond party membership to include avoiding language, symbols, or expressions that could be interpreted as favouring a particular political party or candidate.

Arogundade also advised journalists to ensure they are properly accredited and equipped before heading into the field, warning that failure to do so could lead to unnecessary friction with security agencies.

He urged reporters not on election duty to avoid moving freely around polling units during the voting period, and stressed that all journalists covering the election must visibly display their identification and press tags to avoid harassment or unwarranted identity checks.

He also called on other stakeholders, including election observers, to proactively share information with journalists to support a credible electoral process.

CEMESO Executive Director Dr. Akin Akingbulu reinforced the democratic significance of journalist safety, describing the conditions under which the press operates as a direct reflection of a society’s commitment to democratic values, noting that elections often serve as the clearest test of those values in practice.

He called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and journalists, acknowledging that their relationship has historically been marked by mutual suspicion during elections in Nigeria.

He urged security personnel to recognize the media’s essential role in the electoral process and extend the necessary cooperation to enable journalists to carry out their duties effectively as partners in ensuring credibility.

Both organizations announced plans to partner with the Ekiti State Police Command to help safeguard journalists deployed across the state during the election.

They also disclosed that designated safety alert officers would be available throughout the exercise for journalists to report any incidents of threats, harassment, or attacks encountered while carrying out their duties.