ASABA/Nigeria: The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has constituted a 10-member ad hoc committee to organise media engagements with political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was conveyed in a statement signed by the State Secretary of the Council, Comrade Felix Ekwu, and dated November 5, 2026, announcing the committee’s mandate to provide opportunities for candidates to present their programmes and engage with the media and other stakeholders.
The committee, chaired by Edward Ogude, will identify and establish contact with candidates contesting the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and Delta State House of Assembly elections, particularly those of Delta State origin.
Other members are Godfrey Ubaka, Mercy Muemuifo, Andy Emephia, Emmanuel Enebeli, Shedrack Onitsha, Stephanie Ikanone-Odiete, Barth Ozah, Theophilus Onojeghen and Patrick Ochei, while Felix Ekwu will serve as secretary of the committee.
According to the Council, the committee is expected to coordinate interviews, town hall meetings, debates and other media engagements at the NUJ State Secretariat in Asaba.
A major responsibility is to ensure that all participating candidates are given fair and equal opportunities to present their positions, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The committee will also publicise the engagements through media platforms and relevant stakeholders, while encouraging accurate, ethical and issue-based reporting throughout the electioneering period.
Beyond organising the activities, it is expected to prepare schedules and operational guidelines for the proposed engagements and submit them to the Council Chairman for approval.
It will also maintain records of its activities and undertake other related responsibilities that may be assigned by the Council.
Emphasising the importance of professional independence in the exercise, the NUJ Delta State Council directed that the committee must operate in strict compliance with the union’s Code of Ethics.
The Council further stressed that the committee must remain politically neutral and must not endorse any candidate or political party.
The initiative comes as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. It is expected to provide a structured platform for candidates to communicate their policy positions, respond to questions and engage with issues affecting residents of Delta State.
For the media, the proposed engagements also present an opportunity to deepen issue-based political coverage and encourage public scrutiny of candidates’ programmes, track records and electoral promises.
