ASABA/Nigeria: Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, his Chief Strategist, Dr Festus Goziem Okubor, Senator Ede Dafinone and other stakeholders have called for credible elections, responsible journalism and stronger institutional accountability as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The call was made at the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) 2026 Annual Conference and 7th Annual Lecture Series, held on Wednesday, October 21, at David’s Event Centre, GRA, Asaba, Delta State. The conference, themed “Democracy Under Pressure: Electoral Integrity, Security Challenges and Media Accountability in Nigeria,” brought together representatives of government, the legislature, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), academia and the media to examine threats to democratic governance and the responsibilities of key institutions.
In his message, Governor Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties (Government House), Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, urged journalists and online publishers to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and professional integrity in their coverage of public affairs.
The governor warned that misinformation and hate speech could erode public trust, inflame tensions and threaten democratic stability. He emphasised that credible elections, accountable institutions and responsible communication were essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
Oborevwori’s message placed particular emphasis on the media’s responsibility to provide reliable information and contribute to an informed electorate, while ensuring that public communication supports democratic stability rather than deepening divisions.
The Chairman of the occasion and Chief Strategist to the Governor, Dr Festus Goziem Okubor, followed with an address titled “Democracy Under Pressure: When the Ballot, the Bullet and the Phone Compete for Power!”
Okubor examined the competing influences of electoral processes, insecurity and digital communication on democratic participation, arguing that technology alone could not guarantee credible elections.
He noted that electoral tools, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), could improve aspects of election administration but would not, by themselves, secure public confidence without transparency, integrity and accountability throughout the electoral process.
The governor’s chief strategist also identified insecurity as a major concern, warning that threats to safety could discourage citizens from participating in elections. He drew attention to the growing influence of social media and artificial intelligence-generated content in shaping political narratives, highlighting the danger of false or manipulated information circulating during politically sensitive periods.
He called for rigorous verification, responsible digital communication and adherence to professional media standards, while urging political actors to demonstrate a stronger commitment to democratic principles.
The guest lecturer, Professor Dode Robert Oghenedoro, Professor of Political Science at Dennis Osadebay University and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), examined the relationship between electoral integrity, security challenges and media accountability.
Oghenedoro emphasised the need for independent electoral institutions, impartial security operations and a professional media capable of holding public officials accountable. He also stressed that journalists must be protected from threats and intimidation and that citizens should be able to participate in elections without fear or coercion.
His presentation underscored the connection between public confidence in elections and the conduct of the institutions responsible for organising polls, maintaining security and informing the electorate.
The Chairman of DOPF, Emmanuel Enebeli, reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to ethical digital journalism, editorial independence and accountability in online publishing.
Enebeli urged publishers to verify information before publication, exercise professional judgment and take responsibility for the content disseminated through their platforms. He stressed that the credibility of online media depended on accuracy, fairness and public trust, particularly during election periods when unverified reports could mislead citizens and heighten political tensions.
He maintained that online publishers had a responsibility to serve the public interest by providing credible information and resisting the temptation to circulate unconfirmed claims for attention or engagement.
In his goodwill message, Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, described the media as a vital pillar of democracy and called on journalists to promote accountability, counter misinformation and uphold truth and fairness in their reporting.
Dafinone commended DOPF for providing a platform for discussion on governance and democratic development, stressing the importance of a responsible media in strengthening public understanding and holding institutions accountable.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, represented by SP Aliyu Mairiga, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting voters and securing the electoral process.
He said the police were strengthening intelligence-led, technology-driven and community-centred policing to address security threats, including kidnapping, cultism, farmer-herder conflicts and cybercrime.
Erale called for cooperation among security agencies, political actors, journalists and citizens, noting that electoral security required the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. He urged politicians to avoid violence and called on online publishers to verify information and shun sensational reporting that could provoke tension or threaten public peace.
The police message highlighted the importance of professional security operations and responsible information dissemination in creating an environment where citizens could exercise their democratic rights safely.
Similarly, Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, represented by INEC’s Director and Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr Davis Eldred, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting elections in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Umoren described electoral security as a shared responsibility and highlighted transparency, voter education, inclusivity and public confidence as important elements of credible elections.
His message reinforced the need for cooperation between INEC, security agencies, political parties, the media and citizens to promote an electoral environment in which voters understand the process and can participate without intimidation.
The Delta State Government’s Executive Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Olisa Ifeajika, urged political actors to place national interest and peaceful coexistence above partisan considerations.
Ifeajika warned that misinformation and deliberate manipulation of public opinion could threaten national security and democratic stability. He also challenged journalists to deepen their knowledge of the Constitution and Electoral Act to improve public understanding of electoral procedures, the responsibilities of public institutions and citizens’ democratic rights.
He stressed that informed reporting was particularly important during election periods, when public understanding of electoral laws and procedures could influence citizens’ confidence in the process.
The conference also featured a panel discussion moderated by Professor Kemi Emina, with contributions from Dr Patrick Edema, Dr Norbert Chiazor, CSP Gladys Enoho Imegu and legal practitioner Godswill Umahi, Esq.
Edema examined the question of media accountability, focusing on the responsibilities that accompany the power to publish and shape public opinion.
Chiazor addressed credible elections, voter apathy, insecurity and the media’s responsibilities, highlighting the relationship between public participation, security conditions and the quality of electoral information available to citizens.
CSP Imegu focused on police professionalism and stakeholder cooperation, underscoring the importance of effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and other institutions in protecting the electoral process.
Umahi advocated electoral reforms, stronger institutional independence, campaign-finance regulation and improved digital literacy. His contribution drew attention to the legal and structural measures needed to strengthen electoral accountability and address emerging challenges in the digital information environment.
The panel session provided an opportunity for participants to examine the responsibilities of journalists, security agencies, electoral administrators and political institutions from different professional perspectives.
The conference brought together stakeholders from the political, security, media and public sectors, including representatives of the Delta State Police Command, INEC and the Delta State Government.
Across the keynote contributions, goodwill messages and panel discussions, participants emphasised that credible elections could not be achieved through technology or security deployments alone. They identified institutional independence, transparency, responsible political conduct, public trust and reliable information as essential elements of a credible democratic process.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the stakeholders called on political parties, candidates, government institutions, security agencies, journalists and citizens to uphold the law, reject violence, counter misinformation and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
The discussions also reinforced the responsibility of online publishers to maintain professional standards and editorial independence, while urging public institutions to demonstrate accountability and ensure that citizens can exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful environment.
For DOPF, the conference provided a platform to draw attention to the shared responsibilities of the media, government, security agencies and electoral institutions in protecting democratic participation and public confidence ahead of the next general elections.
