GOVERNOR UZODIMMA TELLS MEDIA ELECTORAL INTEGRITY IS YOUR JOB TOO

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has declared that the responsibility for ensuring credible elections in Nigeria lies not only with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies but also squarely with the media.

Speaking at the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja, Governor Uzodimma stated that editorial integrity is central to electoral integrity because the media shapes the public’s confidence in the entire electoral process.

He directly challenged the editors in attendance, declaring, “Editors often treat electoral integrity as someone else’s responsibility — INEC, the Executive, or Civil Society. But it is yours too.”

The Governor issued a warning that false or tribal narratives published by media houses can severely damage democracy long before any votes are cast. He urged editors to actively “protect electoral integrity through honest, verified, and balanced reporting.”

Uzodimma also lamented what he described as a growing trust deficit within the nation, revealing that public faith in the media has fallen to 51 percent, which is lower than trust in NGOs and private businesses. He expressed deep concern over this trend, stating, “Nigerians trust corporations seeking profit more than journalists seeking truth. This is an institutional crisis.”