The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Secretariat in Abuja to assess Nigeria's level of preparedness for the 2027 electoral cycle. The 13-person delegation was led by Victor Bockarie Foh, former Vice-President of Sierra Leone. The visit is part of ECOWAS's obligations under the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance to promote credible elections and democratic accountability.
The ECOWAS delegation, which included Madam Francess Piagie Alghali, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Dr Julius Sandi, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, sought to engage with the NUJ on its role in promoting credible election coverage. The head of the delegation, Victor Bockarie Foh, explained that ECOWAS remains committed to supporting its member states in conducting peaceful, transparent, and credible elections.
The National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, appreciated ECOWAS for the visit and acknowledged the organization's contributions to strengthening democracy and good governance in West Africa. He assured the delegation of the Union's readiness to play its constitutional and professional role before, during, and after the 2027 general elections. The NUJ will mobilize journalists across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure comprehensive coverage of the electoral process.
Comrade Yahya identified inadequate funding, harassment, and attacks on journalists by security personnel and non-state actors, as well as insufficient periodic training on election reporting, as major challenges confronting journalists during elections. He also highlighted the Union's commitment to tackling misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media platforms, and stressed the importance of strengthening conventional media as a reliable channel for promoting accurate information.
The NUJ President advocated for a future review of the Electoral Act to ensure that political aspirants know their eligibility and electoral standing at least eight months before the general elections. This, he believes, would help reduce uncertainty, political tension, and possible clashes among aspirants and their supporters. He also urged journalists to prioritize national interest while discharging their professional responsibilities during the electioneering period.
The head of the ECOWAS delegation reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting peaceful and credible democratic processes across its member states, particularly Nigeria. He commended the NUJ President for the important issues raised during the engagement and encouraged the Union to sustain its efforts towards promoting responsible journalism and credible election coverage.
The visit provided an opportunity for both organizations to discuss the role of the media in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting peaceful elections, and ensuring that Nigerians have access to accurate and reliable information ahead of the 2027 general elections. The collaboration between ECOWAS and the NUJ aims to promote credible elections and democratic accountability in Nigeria.
Key points
- ECOWAS seeks NUJ's collaboration to promote credible elections in Nigeria.
- The NUJ will mobilize journalists to ensure comprehensive coverage of the 2027 electoral process.
- The organizations discussed the role of the media in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting peaceful elections.
