The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called for an apology from The Nation newspaper's Editorial Board over an editorial that accused journalists of failing journalism. The editorial, published on October 8, 2026, claimed that the NGE allowed partisanship during the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu. The NGE, in a statement by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, strongly rejected the allegations.
The Nation's editorial titled "Journalists Failed Journalism" questioned the decision to allow Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Prof. Pat Utomi to address editors at the conference. The NGE argued that the conference was a professional forum for editors and stakeholders to discuss critical national issues. The Guild said it had officially invited representatives of major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and NDC.
According to the NGE, its President, Eze Anaba, personally engaged some political leaders to secure wider participation. Anaba spoke with APC Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yelwatda, and the ADC Vice-Presidential candidate, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi. The Guild's General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, also followed up with Mr. Paul Ibe, media aide to ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. These efforts were made to ensure broad political participation in the conference.
The NGE argued that its decision to provide a platform for political engagement did not amount to endorsement of any party or candidate. The Guild said it would have been inappropriate to prevent a political candidate who was available and willing to participate simply because other invited candidates or political parties chose not to attend. The participation of Obi and Utomi should be understood within the broader framework of the conference.
The conference programme included an "Executive Session" involving governors, political party chairmen, heads of government agencies, and other key actors in the political and public space. The NGE noted that Tunde Rahman, senior media assistant to President Bola Tinubu, addressed the conference, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Ali M. Ali.
The NGE rejected The Nation's editorial description of Obi's appearance as an "ambush," insisting that the NDC presidential candidate attended an open professional gathering involving hundreds of editors, journalists, and other stakeholders. The Guild maintained that there was a fundamental difference between providing a platform for engagement and supporting a political position. The NGE took exception to the editorial's reference to an "impunity of silence," describing it as unfortunate.
The NGE reaffirmed its commitment to the cardinal principles of journalism, including accuracy, fairness, balance, objectivity, independence, and accountability. The Guild promised to provide platforms for independent engagement among political actors, public officials, civil society organisations, electoral institutions, and other stakeholders "without fear or favour." The NGE declared that The Nation's Editorial Board was the one that failed journalism by reaching a sweeping conclusion without establishing the full facts.
Key points
- The Nigerian Guild of Editors demands an apology from The Nation newspaper for an editorial accusing journalists of partisanship.
- The NGE argues that its conference was a professional forum for editors and stakeholders to discuss critical national issues.
- The Guild reaffirms its commitment to the cardinal principles of journalism, including accuracy, fairness, and objectivity.
