From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Shehu Wahab, has assured members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) of collaboration on dissemination of accurate, timely and credible information to the electorate.
Wahab gave the assurance yesterday, when he hosted members of the Correspondents’ Chapel in his office in Lokoja.
The REC described members of the Correspondents’ Chapel as critical partners in dissemination of credible information during the electioneering period, stressing that the media would be central to the successful implementation of the commission’s mandate.
He said that, having previously worked with the commission and now serving as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, he held the media in high regard and would sustain the cordial relationships he had enjoyed with journalists in his previous assignments.
Wahab said he expected the media to provide constructive feedback that would help the commission improve its operations and avoid potential pitfalls.
He said, “I want to assure you that I will be willing to tell you, as efficiently as possible, information about our electoral activities.
“When I was in Nasarawa State, we worked alongside some persons in the voter registration department, and I must remember that we had a WhatsApp group. We belonged to the platform and had a phone-book circle where we could easily access information on every political activity we were undertaking. It also helped us to pass information among ourselves. We need to replicate that here.”
The REC said the Voter Education Department would begin its activities well ahead of election day, noting that voter education would go beyond conventional press conferences.
According to him, the commission would involve members of the Correspondents Chapel in discussion programmes across electronic, print and traditional media platforms as part of efforts to deepen voter awareness.
He said electoral processes and activities would be extensively publicised and solicited the support of journalists to drive the initiative, including serving as panellists and anchors on radio, television and other media platforms.
Ends.
Wahab explained that the participation of journalists in voter education programmes could enhance public confidence in the information being disseminated.
He said, “When journalists anchor or participate in voter education programmes, the electorate tends to believe in the genuineness of the messages more than when such information is purely disseminated by staff of the commission.”
He also stressed the need for collaboration among INEC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), political parties, the media and other stakeholders to broaden the reach of voter education and awareness campaigns.
“Therefore, I need to be working, for instance, with the National Orientation Agency, with some of these individuals in terms of inviting political parties to be part of the awareness campaign on radio. Because if you don’t diversify the people you bring in, you may not get the best.
“I want to assure you that we don’t mind inviting the Chairman of the NUJ alongside the Director of Voter Education to be mutually involved in our activities,” he said.
The REC, who described himself as new to the state, acknowledged the wealth of experience possessed by journalists who had operated in Kogi over the years.
He said their knowledge of the state and its people could provide useful guidance to the commission as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
“I have just been appointed here. I’m new. I don’t know much about here as you do. Your experience in the state is far longer and more entrenched than mine. I was called in here, and I think there is some guidance that can help me to avoid some pitfalls.
“But when an administrator thinks he knows it all, he is already in trouble. There are things that may be calculated or not calculated. Hence, your collaboration with us is of the essence.
“There cannot be a better institution that we expect to be fair than you. So, when you tell me, ‘Watch that thing you are saying; it is not exactly the way you are saying it,’ I believe you wholeheartedly because you are closer to the people than I am.
“So, working with you is to tell me the right way to succeed. Talking about information, I also want to assure you that I will be willing to tell you as efficiently as possible, information about our electoral activities,” Wahab said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Segun Salami, commended the REC for hosting members of the chapel despite the short notice.
Salami explained that the Correspondents’ Chapel comprises representatives of national newspapers and electronic media organisations operating in Kogi State.
He assured the REC that the chapel would collaborate with INEC to effectively project the commission’s activities and disseminate relevant electoral information across the state.
He also assured the commission of the readiness of members to discharge their responsibilities efficiently and professionally throughout the electioneering period and the 2027 general elections.
