Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo state.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) on Wednesday charged media practitioners to refrain from promoting narratives that could further polarise Nigerians and fuel distrust.
The governor, who delivered the keynote address at the ongoing 21st All Nigerian Editors Conference held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that editors wield immense influence in shaping national perception and must be accountable for the narratives they promote, particularly during election seasons.
He explained that news narratives play a major role in shaping public perception of electoral integrity, adding that journalists cannot absolve themselves of responsibility for the consequences of their reports.
“You are not spectators in 2027; you are catalysts. The narratives you shape will determine whether Nigerians see the elections through a tribal lens or a shared national destiny,” he said.
Referencing the 2023 elections, Uzodimma urged editors to take greater responsibility for protecting electoral integrity and restoring public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Read also: Tinubu tasks media on responsible reporting guided by national interest
He cited the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, which found that 49 percent of Nigerians distrust the media, describing the trend as “deeply alarming.”
“If you have a role in democratic governance and national cohesion, you must also assume responsibility for electoral integrity. Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy,” he said.
Uzodimma noted that media coverage of the 2023 elections contributed to public mistrust, as some reports portrayed the electoral process as having collapsed, based on selective or premature conclusions.
He however, warned that editorial choices carry consequences, adding that “decisions on what to publish, which voices to prioritise, and how political events are framed directly affect national cohesion, voter confidence, and democratic resilience.”
“When every disagreement is framed as a crisis and every electoral challenge treated as systemic fraud, you feed polarisation and deepen distrust,” he said.
Uzodimma called on editors to embrace an “objectivity of responsibility” anchored on accuracy, verification, and context rather than speed or sensationalism driven by commercial pressure.
He also highlighted positive economic indicators, oversubscription of Nigeria’s Eurobond, a buoyant stock market, and rising investor confidence, as examples of fact-based reporting that reinforces cohesion without compromising scrutiny.
“Let 2027 be the year the Nigerian media becomes architect of a shared democratic future,” he urged.
The Governor lauded President Tinubu’s presence at the conference, describing it as a testament to the media’s strategic role in national development.
Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, in his remarks, applauded President Bola Tinubu for declaring the conference open, adding that it was the first time a sitting President has attended an NGE conference, calling it a “profound acknowledgment of the fourth estate.”
Idris likened Tinubu’s political journey to the resilience of the Nigerian press, recalling how he resisted federal pressure as Lagos governor.
“Like the press under military dictatorship, President Tinubu resisted oppression. He understands that an independent media is not a foe of government but the foundation of a lasting democracy,” Idris said.
He also assured editors that the upcoming modernised tax regime is designed to strengthen infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and that requests for media tax exemptions will be addressed in due course.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to press freedom, Idris noted that no broadcast station has been shut down for critical reporting and pointed to UNESCO’s decision to grant Nigeria hosting rights for the global Media and Information Literacy Institute as proof of support.
He urged editors to act as partners in national renewal through responsible reporting.
“The best editor is the one who knows what not to publish. Let us tell the Nigerian story with balance, truth, and an unshakable belief in our future.
“The fourth estate has remained constant. Let it continue to stand strong in defence of the people,” Idris added.
