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| Photo Credit — Peter Obi |
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on editors across Nigeria to rigorously examine the qualifications, past records, and conduct of politicians seeking public office as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the appeal after participating in the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu State. The two-day event, held under the theme “The Ballot, The Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” focused on the media’s critical role in safeguarding democratic processes, with a sub-theme addressing the growing challenge of AI-generated disinformation.
In a statement reflecting on the conference, Obi stressed that editors occupy a privileged position in society and must use it to hold politicians accountable. He specifically urged them to:
• Scrutinise the qualifications and past records of candidates
• Investigate and expose past wrongdoing
• Ensure Nigerians receive accurate information needed to make informed voting decisions
• Demand excellence and insist that those seeking leadership positions reflect the values expected of public office holders
“Editors must continue to scrutinise the qualifications and past records of those seeking public office, expose past wrongdoings and ensure that the Nigerian people have access to the information they need to make informed decisions,” Obi stated.
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The former Anambra State governor thanked the Nigerian Guild of Editors for the invitation and described the conference as a valuable opportunity to engage with media leaders. He noted that a question-and-answer session allowed him to hear editors’ perspectives on the state of democracy and the media’s responsibilities.
Obi’s call aligns with broader discussions at the conference, which brought together hundreds of editors, government officials, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. Speakers, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, emphasised professional standards, fact-checking, and the media’s duty to protect the integrity of elections amid rising concerns about synthetic media and disinformation.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 polls, Obi’s message reinforces a consistent theme in his public statements: that informed citizens and a vigilant press are essential for accountable leadership and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
The conference also highlighted the need for issue-based political discourse rather than personal attacks, and for media organisations to prioritise verification in an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence tools.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers news, politics, current affairs, education, and technology.
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