Edo 2024: IPC Tasks Govts To Ensure Safety Of Journalists

The Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has tasked government and its agencies to ensure there is safety of journalists during electoral processes, including refraining from assault or intimidation in any manner.
Mr. Arogundade gave the task at a two-day interface meeting with journalists and critical stakeholders in the Edo State on governorship electoral process.
He equally charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to conduct themselves within the confines of the Constitution, urging them not to take sides with any political party or individuals.
He asserted that for a free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship election in Edo State, all stakeholders must perform their roles without bias, bearing in mind the citizens’ interest.
Arogundade said,” The government and its agencies shall ensure the safety of journalists during electoral processes, including refraining from assault or intimidation in any manner whatsoever.
“The government and its relevant agencies shall ensure prompt investigation and prosecution of any individual or group accused of assault or intimidation against the media and journalists during electoral processes.
“The government and its agencies shall channel any complaint over the conduct of journalists during electoral processes to regulatory or legal institutions and refrain from extra-judicial actions or other forms of self-help.
“The government and its agencies shall ensure the free movement of journalists in any part of the country during electoral processes and refrain from any act that shall inhibit such.
“The government shall abide by institutional, regulatory and legal frameworks requiring equitable access to state media by parties and candidates contesting elections.”
The Public Affairs Officer of INEC, Edo state, Olayiwola Toyin, said the Commission was ready for the governorship elections and was sensitizing the electorate to collect their PVCs and vote on Election Day.
Edo State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Festus Alenkhe, urged journalists in the state to adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession during the election and appealed to the security agencies to ensure journalists are protected during the election billed to hold September 21st 2024.
Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chidi Nwanbuzor, said the police had mapped out about 4,519 polling units prone to violence in the state.
He added that the police was also working with other security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible polls in the state and stressed that journalists that want to monitor the polls must be accredited with INEC.
The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Mr. Efosa Ogbebor, said the corps was also prepared for the elections.
Mr Dada Ayokhai, the General Secretary of the Online Media Practitioners, urged the INEC and the security agencies to also work with online journalists during the election as they were usually first with the news in the digital age.