Ahead of November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election, members of the International Press Centre (IPC), in partnership with the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) hosted a high-level media and stakeholders forum, aimed at ensuring credible and inclusive elections.

Supported by the European Union in Nigeria under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria II Programme, the event was held in Awka Anambra State.

Themed, ‘Enhanced reportage, inclusivity and accountability of stakeholders towards the Anambra governorship election,’ the two-day conversation brought together about 50 journalists, along with representatives of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, the Police, Civil Defence Corps, National Orientation Agency NOA, Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, and other civic actors.

The forum built on a previous training session with journalists focused on, ethical and issue-based election reporting; use of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage; fact-checking and safety in electoral environments and inclusion of women, youths, and persons with disabilities.

Participants shared insights and outlined their preparations for ensuring safe, inclusive, and transparent election, united by a common goal to strengthen public trust in the electoral process

In his welcome remarks, Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, said, “as stakeholders in the electoral process, we must rise above partisanship, uphold professionalism, and be accountable. Our shared goal is a peaceful, credible election that serves the public interest. This forum provides an opportunity to reassert professionalism, deepen ethical engagement, and ensure that electoral reportage meaningfully supports peaceful, credible, and participatory elections in Anambra State.”

Speaking in a similar vein, Executive Director, CEMESO, Akin Akingbulu, highlighted the engagements as a strategic convergence of key actors to strengthen democratic processes through collaborative media action.

He said what they were building was not just dialogue, but shared commitment by bringing together journalists, electoral bodies, security agencies, and civil society groups.

To him, the media engagement is to prepare journalists ahead of the guber election, guiding them to renew conversation between political leaders and the electorates, ensuring that their reportage is within the ethics of journalism, and deepening electoral integrity.

Delivering a presentation, titled, ‘Embedding ethics, professionalism, inclusion, and issue-focused reporting before and after the Anambra Election,’ Dr. Njide Ezeonyejiaku of the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, stated that ethical journalism and inclusive reporting are pillars of credible electoral coverage.

She urged reporters to remain committed to the public interest and uphold the values of the profession.

Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, advocated inclusion of persons with challenges in the electoral process. He urged political parties and security agencies to uphold provisions of the electoral law that guarantee their participation, and encouraged the media to spotlight these efforts in their coverage.

Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command DSP, Tochukwu Ikenga, assured participants of robust security measures to ensure a peaceful election. He cautioned voters against bringing weapons to polling units and called on the media to help discourage vote-buying and promote civic responsibility.

As part of the engagement, media professionals developed a set of actionable commitments and action plan framework for follow-up and monitoring. They defined practical steps to improve election coverage, strengthen accountability, and promote inclusive reporting.

The forum concluded with a summary of key lessons and reflections, reinforcing the shared responsibility for democratic integrity ahead of the November polls.

They stressed the need to create an enabling environment for the media, uphold press freedom, and ensure citizens have access to accurate, inclusive, and timely information.