The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has denied allegations of partisanship made by The Nation newspaper regarding the participation of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Prof. Pat Utomi at the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu. The NGE stated that the conference provided a professional platform for engagement with various political and public actors. The Guild emphasized that aside from the NDC and its candidate, other key players in the 2027 poll were also invited to participate.
The NGE was reacting to an October 8 editorial by The Nation, titled “Journalists Failed Journalism”, which made serious allegations against the Guild and its leadership. The editorial suggested that the NGE acted in a partisan manner by allowing Obi and Utomi, a chieftain of the NDC, to address editors at the conference. However, the NGE argued that the conclusion was not supported by the facts surrounding the organisation and conduct of the conference.
According to the NGE, the conference programme included an ‘executive session’ with governors, political party chairmen, heads of government agencies, and parastatals. The session aimed to provide a platform for interaction between the media and key actors in Nigeria’s political and public space. The Guild stated that isolating Obi's appearance from the wider programme and character of the conference was misleading.
The NGE revealed that it had formally invited the leadership of three political parties at the centre of the 2027 political contest, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The invitations were not just sent and abandoned, but reminders were also sent to ensure participation.
The Guild added that its leadership made personal efforts to ensure wider political representation at the conference. NGE President, Eze Anaba, personally spoke with APC chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and ADC vice presidential candidate, Chibuike Amaechi. General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, followed up with Paul Ibe, media aide to ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The NGE demanded an apology from The Nation’s editorial board over what it described as misleading impressions created by the newspaper’s editorial. The Guild emphasized that the facts surrounding the conference fundamentally undermine the central premise of The Nation’s editorial.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors maintains that it provided a platform for interaction between the media and key actors in Nigeria’s political and public space without partisanship. The Guild's statement was signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh.
Key points
- The Nigerian Guild of Editors rejects allegations of partisanship made by The Nation newspaper.
- The NGE provided a professional platform for engagement with various political and public actors at the All Nigeria Editors Conference.
- The Guild demands an apology from The Nation’s editorial board over misleading impressions created by their editorial.
