The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) has warned politicians and security agencies against intimidating electorate ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference with the theme “Credible Elections, Sustainable Democracy and the Nigerian media” held in Asaba, Delta State.
“The conference observed that elections in Nigeria are not built on truth and therefore urged the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to remain independent in its practice by allowing citizens’ votes to count; as such is cardinal to sustaining democracy,” the communiqué said.
It also harped on the need for Nigerian journalists to intensify efforts that will deepen democracy through sustained investigative, balance and analytical reportage.
The NGE expressed appreciated the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the conference and thanked the host, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the support given to the Guild for a successful conference.
