Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate and current Governor of Oyo State, urged Nigerian journalists to stay neutral ahead of the 2027 general elections. The call came during the closing ceremony of the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council, held in Ibadan.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde warned reporters not to “pitch tents” with any politician or political party. He stressed that journalists should give every party and candidate a fair hearing and work to promote peace rather than sow confusion.
The governor also urged media professionals to verify all information before publishing and to focus on educating the public instead of engaging in inflammatory commentary that could lead to crises.
"Elections come and go. Politicians come and go. Governments come and go. But institutions endure. The credibility of the media must outlive every political contest," said Makinde.
The 2027 elections are scheduled for January, with presidential and National Assembly polls, and February, when state and House of Assembly elections will take place. The ceremony was attended by journalists, political office holders and other dignitaries from across the state and the country.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
