Election: Movement for Credible Elections set agenda for journalists in Osun

Isa Isawade

The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has called on journalists and civil society organisations to be conscious of their role as watchdogs in their coverage of the Saturday election and beyond.

It adds that all stakeholders including the citizens to play a more active role in monitoring the electoral process, documenting irregularities and ensuring that the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election reflects the genuine will of the people.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Osun ahead of the election, Comrade Lanre Fadaunsi, stressed that credible elections are essential to producing competent and accountable leadership.

Fadaunsi warned that when elections are compromised through vote-buying, intimidation, manipulation or other irregularities, the consequences extend beyond the electoral process and can weaken democratic institutions and public confidence in government.

He urged journalists covering the election to remain professional, impartial and committed to facts, stressing that reporters must resist political inducement, propaganda, misinformation and pressure from political actors.

According to him, journalists should report what they personally observe at polling units and avoid making premature declarations about which candidate is leading based on results from only a few polling units.

He also urged media practitioners to document incidents of violence, voter intimidation, suppression and other electoral irregularities, noting that journalists’ reports could become important historical records for future generations.

Fadaunsi further condemned vote-buying, particularly the exploitation of poverty to influence voters, describing the practice as a threat to genuine democratic choice.

He argued that citizens should not be reduced to commodities whose votes can be purchased, stressing that the constitutional right of Nigerians to choose their leaders must be protected.

The MCE representative also emphasised the importance of citizen participation and monitoring, calling for a stronger national platform through which journalists and citizens can collectively observe elections and document developments across the country.

According to him, Nigeria has the human capacity to conduct elections that meet international standards, noting that Nigerians continue to excel in different fields around the world despite the country’s persistent challenges with electoral credibility.

Fadaunsi maintained that the 2026 Osun governorship election could provide an important test of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He therefore appealed to journalists to remain neutral, verify information before publication, give all political actors fair coverage and report electoral developments without fear or favour.

He said the ultimate responsibility of the media is to inform, educate and empower citizens while protecting the integrity of democracy.