Edo Guber :IPC Boss Urges INEC, Govts To Ensure Safety Of Journalists














Edo Guber :IPC Boss Urges INEC, Govts To Ensure Safety Of Journalists

Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin


The Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, has tasked government and its agencies to ensure there is safety of journalists during electoral processes, including refraining from assault or intimidation in any manner.

The IPC boss made the statements during a two-day interface dialogue meeting with journalists and critical stakeholders in the Edo State on governorship electoral process.




The former Lagos state NUJ chairman equally charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to conduct themselves within the confines of the Constitution, urging them not to take sides with any political party or individuals.


 He asserted that for a free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship election in Edo State, all stakeholders must perform their roles without bias, bearing in mind the citizens’ interest.

Arogundade said," The government and its agencies shall ensure the safety of journalists during electoral processes, including refraining from assault or intimidation in any manner whatsoever.

 "The government and its relevant agencies shall ensure prompt investigation and prosecution of any individual or group accused of assault or intimidation against the media and journalists during electoral processes.

"The government and its agencies shall channel any complaint over the conduct of journalists during electoral processes to regulatory or legal institutions and refrain from extra-judicial actions or other forms of self-help.



"The government and its agencies shall ensure the free movement of journalists in any part of the country during electoral processes and refrain from any act that shall inhibit such.

"The government shall abide by institutional, regulatory and legal frameworks requiring equitable access to state media by parties and candidates contesting elections," he added.

According to the Public Affairs Officer of INEC, Edo state, Olayiwola Toyin, said the Commission is ready for the governorship elections.

She said INEC is doing everything possible to sensitize the electorates to come out and vote and the collection of their PVCs.


In his remarks, Edo state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Festus Alenkhe, urged journalists in the state to adherent strictly to the ethics of the profession.

Comrade Alenkhe also appealed to the security agencies to ensure journalists are protected during the incoming governorship elections billed to hold September 21st 2024.

He equally informed the INEC official at the event to ensure adequate information are given to journalists during the elections to enable them balance their report.

Speaking, the Edo State Public Relations Officer, SP, Chidi Nwanbuzor, said the police is ready for the September 21st Governorship elections in Edo state.

SP Nwanbuzor said the Command had mapped out about 4,519 polling units prone to violences in the state. He said the riverine areas are going to be station with security personnel to ensure safety of voters.

He added that the police is also working with other security agencies in the state to ensure free, fair and credible polls in the state and stressed that journalists that want to monitor the polls must be register and accredited with INEC.

According to the PRO of NSCDC, Mr. Efosa Ogbebor, said they are prepare for the Edo state governorship elections.

Ogbebor said part of their responsibility is to protect election materials from hoodlums and thugs, and ensure the elections is peaceful.


Reacting to the submissions made, Mr Dada Ayokhai, the General Secretary of the Online Media Practitioners, urged the INEC and the security agencies to also work with online journalists, as the online reporters are at the flow of influx of information in this digital age

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