By Murtala Muhammad
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has called for urgent reforms to strengthen electoral integrity and media freedom in Nigeria.
In a communiqué issued in Abuja, after an advocacy meeting on Promoting Electoral Integrity in Nigeria, co-signed by the convener, Yunusa Zakari Ya’u and NUJ President Alhassan Yahaya, the groups outlined key recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
The communiqué emphasises the critical role of the media in holding government and public officials accountable, as provided for in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It urges Journalists to sustain investigative and objective reporting to expose electoral malpractices and hold political actors accountable.
The communiqué also called on media professionals to advocate for policy reforms that promote press freedom and media independence.
While emphasising stronger collaboration between media organisations and civil society groups, the communiqué recommends improved voter education and civic engagement.
With upcoming vacancies in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it urges President Bola Tinubu to ensure that only individuals with no political affiliations are appointed.
The communiqué also stresses the need to protect the independence of INEC and the judiciary to uphold electoral integrity.
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