2027: Umahi, Olukoyede Charge Media on Democracy, Anti-Corruption

By Venica Uchechukwu, Enugu

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, have urged Nigerian journalists to uphold professional ethics, strengthen democratic institutions and sustain the fight against corruption ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The duo gave the charge at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu Correspondents’ Chapel Press Week, where they underscored the media’s responsibility to promote accountability, credible elections and good governance.

The event, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Responsible Journalism: 2027 Polls in Focus,” brought together media practitioners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the role of journalism in deepening Nigeria’s democracy.

Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, urged journalists to remain impartial in their coverage of political parties and candidates during the forthcoming elections.

The minister, who was represented by his media aide, Emmanuel Uzor, said journalists should discharge their constitutional responsibilities without displaying preference for any political party or candidate.

He argued that although the media had a responsibility to scrutinize political actors and hold public officeholders accountable, journalists should allow voters to assess candidates and their manifestoes independently.

“Journalists should not take sides. 2027 is here and every party, all the candidates are showing their manifestos. It is not your duty to say that this candidate or that candidate is better,” Umahi said.

He stressed that the media’s responsibility was to provide citizens with credible information that would enable them to make informed decisions, rather than impose political preferences on the electorate.

According to him, democracy thrives when journalists perform their duties professionally and help bridge the gap between political leaders and the people they govern.

Umahi, however, acknowledged the challenges associated with holding those in power accountable, observing that journalists often face hostility when they scrutinize the activities of government officials rather than engage in praise-singing.

He urged media practitioners not to abandon their watchdog responsibilities despite such pressures, insisting that their role remained crucial to ensuring accountability and strengthening democratic governance.

In his keynote address, titled “The Role of Media and Other Critical Stakeholders in Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption,” EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede highlighted the importance of responsible journalism in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

Olukoyede, who was represented by the EFCC’s South Zonal Director, Daniel Isei, commended Nigerian journalists for their contributions to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.

He said the media had continued to play a critical role in exposing wrongdoing and holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions.

“The media in Nigeria deserve their flowers for the critical roles they play in ensuring good governance and a better society. You have been playing your watchdog role, and that is holding the people and institutions accountable,” he said.

The EFCC chairman noted that the media’s constitutional responsibility to hold government accountable underscored its importance in the country’s democratic system.

He, however, cautioned journalists against allowing cynicism to undermine their reporting, particularly in their coverage of corruption allegations and investigations.

Olukoyede urged media practitioners to remain focused on facts and evidence, warning against reporting practices that could reinforce public distrust without adequately establishing the circumstances surrounding reported cases.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Anthony Ani, SAN, emphasised the need for accuracy and responsible information dissemination.

Ani urged journalists to verify information before publishing or broadcasting it, stressing that factual reporting was essential to preserving public confidence in the media.

The speakers’ remarks came as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with calls for professional, impartial and evidence-based journalism taking centre stage in discussions about Nigeria’s democratic future.