Skip to content

Elections

#Eu4DemocracyNg, #PressFreedom, 2023 Elections, Elections, end impunity, EUSDGN II, Press Freedom, Press Release

Press Release

IPC CONDEMNS ELECTION-DAY ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS IN RIVERS, OGUN AND LAGOS, DEMANDS INVESTIGATION For immediate release, March 18, 2023 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos is highly disturbed by the reported incidents of attacks on journalists and other media professionals covering the today’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in some parts of the country including Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States. IPC’s JOURNALISTS’ -ELECTION-DAY-SAFETY-ALERT-DESK has confirmed that AIT Reporters and cameramen including Henrietta Oke, Amarachi Amushie and Nkiru Nwokedi were molested and prevented from covering the elections at some polling units in Eti-Osa, Ifako-Ijaiye and Amuwo Odofin local government areas by political thugs and hoodlums. Journalist Nwokedi temporarily lost her phone before it was recovered with the help of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) men while Journalist Amushie was rough handled, her camera damaged and the cameraman beaten in the presence of a political chieftain. The Alert Desk also established that Arise TV News crew comprising Reporter Oba Adeoye, Cameraman Opeyemi Adenihun and driver Yusuf Hassan was attacked while covering voting in Elegushi area of Lagos. “The cameraman, Opeyemi Adenihun suffered facial injuries while drones and equipment were seized” according to the news medium. In Ogun State, News Agency of Nigeria’s reporter, Adejoke Adeleye, was among journalists molested in Itori Odo Area of Abeokuta South Local government where they faced mob attack by political thugs who equally reportedly assaulted INEC officials with axes and allegedly destroyed ballot boxes. The details also include the denial of access to journalists who tried to capture voting in the polling unit of PDP Governorship candidate in Rivers State by some “overzealous police officers”. “The policemen refused passage despite the proof of identity provided by the journalists” the report from Rivers stated IPC strongly condemns these unacceptable attacks which constitute both the violation of the fundamental rights of the affected journalists and media workers and major assault on press freedom. “Following the attacks on journalists during the presidential and national Assembly elections on February 25, we had called on the Police, the Political Parties and all concerned to take measures to protect them today. It is therefore worrisome that such attacks have been repeated”, the Press Freedom and Safety Alert Desk Officer of IPC, Melody Lawal said in a statement. Mrs. Lawal charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the various attacks and ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their illegal and actions. SGD: Melody Lawal Press Freedom. Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

#Eu4DemocracyNg, 2023 Elections, Elections, EU-SDGN, Nigeria Elections, Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: FEMALE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION: IPC BUILDS CAPACITY OF 60 FEMALE CANDIDATES

PRESS RELEASE FEMALE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION: IPC BUILDS CAPACITY OF 60 FEMALE CANDIDATES For Immediate Release: Sunday, December 11, 2022 Two workshops for female candidates contesting in the 2023 Nigeria elections are set to hold on the 12th & 13th December 2022. The trainings are being facilitated by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria implementing partner with the Institute for Media and Society (IMS) within component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II (EUSDGN II) project. Taking place in Osogbo and Port-Harcourt concurrently, the EU funded training will equip 60 candidates from the southern parts of Nigeria on advanced strategic communication and media engagement, in addition to the use of conventional and online/social media during political processes and campaigns. The training will present the selected female candidates the opportunity to interface with journalists, share their views, expectations, and experience from the perspectives of women in politics. In a statement, the Executive Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “In terms of female political representation, Nigeria has one of the lowest rates in the continent with a 4.1% parliament representation. That is why tactical workshops like these are necessary to support women in politics which inherently promotes credible elections”. The Executive Director affirmed that IPC is essentially building on the attainments of the first phase of the EU-SDGN project, in which ten women who participated in the IPC capacity building workshops for female politicians were elected to political offices across the Country. “The workshop will also draw from the lessons learnt from subsequent engagement with the elected female politicians in terms of implementing post-election activities and capacity support”. Mr. Arogundade added. A team comprising Mr. Samuel Egbala, The Nigerian Chronicle, Calabar & Vice President, East, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Uduak Obeten, CRBS and Mr. Sunny Dada, Director of Programmes – African Centre for Media, Governance and Peacebuilding will address various topics including “Female candidates: Cultivating the media and building relationships for increased visibility”, “Female candidates: building self-confidence and maximising the potentials of the broadcast media for increased visibility” and “Leveraging on social media & online channels for maximum visibility for female candidates”. In Osogbo, resource persons Jadesola Ajibola, NAWOJ Chairperson and Monday Ashibogwu, Managing Editor, Quick News will make presentations on similar topics. IPC in subsequent trainings will expand the initiative to Female candidates in the Northern states. The specific objective of the EU funded programme is to ensure that, “The Media, including New and Social Media, provides fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of the Electoral Process”. SGD: Olutoyin Ayoade Communications Officer Component 4 (Support to Media) EUSDGN II Project tayoade@ipcng.org

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Elections, News

COMMUNIQUE OF A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE ON GENDER & ELECTORAL REFORMS ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EU-SDGN PARTNERS, FIDA AND NAWOJ

Wednesday, February 10, 2021. PREAMBLE The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, held a virtual media roundtable on gender and electoral reforms in collaboration with Yiaga Africa, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, other EU-SDGN partners, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) on Tuesday, February 10, 2021 at 1.00pm under theme: ‘Dissecting the issues for gender inclusion in electoral reforms’. Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC gave the opening/welcome remarks, while Mrs. Mufuliat Fijabi, CEO of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (who was represented by Ms. Lois Chinedu) and Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, respectively gave perspectives on the background to the inclusive issues of gender in the ongoing electoral reforms. Others who made presentations at the roundtable were Mrs. Rhoda Tyoden, National President of FIDA who spoke on sub-theme: ‘Why gender matter matters: Prioritizing the demand for gender-driven electoral reforms’ and Mrs. Ladi Bala, NAWOJ President who addressed the sub-theme: ‘Prioritizing gender inclusion in the electoral process. How the media can storify and amplify the issues’.  Female politicians including two serving States of House of Assembly members (Hon. Adeteju Okuyiga of Ekiti State and Hon. Favour Tamomewo of Ondo State), gender activists, male and female journalists and editors from the broadcast, print and online media – across the six-geo political zone attended the roundtable.  PRESENTATIONS In his remarks, Mr. Lanre Arogundade noted that IPC along with other EU-SDGN partners are interested in ensuring that the on-going electoral reform process leads to the passage of an electoral legislation that would serve as an enabling instrument to promote qualitative female participation in the electoral process while serving as mechanism that enables more women to be elected. He emphasised the need to have amendments to Section 31 (1) of the Electoral Act to make it mandatory for political parties to include women, persons with disabilities and youths in their list of candidates for elections and Section 87 of the Electoral Act, to make it mandatory for political parties to ensure 50% inclusion of both genders as delegates in their primaries. He also said that Section 100 of the Electoral Act should be amended to make it mandatory for the media to grant special advert concessions to female candidates, youths and PWDs while Section 104 needs to be amended to ensure that the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the political parties are not of the same gender. Lois Chinedu of NWTF on her part highlighted the three items of concern over women’s limited participation, namely: 1.       Political party nomination, wherein women are rarely nominated; 2.       Campaign funds, in favour of men, as most male candidates spend more than what was stipulated in the electoral act, 3.       Needs for amendment in the electoral Act, and Constitution. She agreed that Section 31 should be amended so that every political party can include women, youths and PWDs as candidates for electoral positions and suggested that Section 87 of the constitution should also be amended to reduce the cost of nomination forms to make them affordable for women. She also called for transparency in the political process by making open and public for 21 days the register of political parties stressing that the only way for women to participate effectively is through their activities in political parties. In her presentation on ‘Why gender matter matters: Prioritizing the demand for gender-driven electoral reforms’, Rhoda Tyoden lamented the inadequacies of some reforms process including voter education which she noted often took no account of many germane issues. She said, though women were more in terms of population, yet they were lagging behind in the scheme of things. She expressed concern that despite series of constitutional provisions that prohibit gender inequality including the National gender policy (2000) which she observed is all-encompassing, as well as the Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee recommendations and other international treaties to which Nigeria was a signatory, the implementations has always been jettisoned. Speaking on ‘Prioritizing gender inclusion in the electoral process. How the media can storify and amplify the issues’, Ladi Bala lamented that the Nigerian constitution from time immemorial have been gender-blind; that is, gender-inclusivity had been largely evasive. She expressed worries over the ineffectiveness of the National Gender Policy adopted in the year 2000 in addressing issues affecting women political participations. She said it was shameful that, after the Goodluck Jonathan administration that allotted about 32% of political office holders to women, the figure had dropped today to around 7%. Samson Itodo, speaking on the lacuna created by the constitutional provisions, revealed that politicians have cultivated the habit of citing the constitutional provisions in sections 40-42 which prohibit gender inequality to argue against making needed ammendments to the Electoral Act to promote women participation. According to him, there was a dilemma as to whether it was the constitution that should be amended before the electoral act reform. He noted that what women were indeed asking for was simply for improvement in women and youth representation in the electoral process. He proposed that there should be mobilization targeting the legislators, female members of the National Assembly and the media to ensure the passage of the amendments that would empower women in the electoral process. Deliberation and Observations Followed the presentations, the participants observed that: ·         There have been lots of rhetoric and less actions around gender-inclusivity in the electoral process. ·         There is a dilemma between the need to first amend sections of the Nigerian constitutions before the reform of the electoral Act; ·         The National Assembly have received good electoral reforms recommendations which have not been acted on and so remained as mere decorations; ·         Members of the National Assembly members have practically handed over so many things to political parties to decide; hence, parties have been relegating women when it comes to making important decisions in the electoral process. ·         Women are affected by electoral delineation and so find it difficult to vote during elections; ·         Vote buying/vote selling is a major obstacle to women participation in politics. ·         The Media often under-report women political office holders. ·         Women politicians do not always

press
#Eu4DemocracyNg, Elections, EU-SDGN, Journalism, Media News, News, Nigeria Elections, Nigerian Journalists, Safety of journalists

LAGOS BYE-ELECTION: IPC TASKS JOURNALISTS ON PROFESSIONAL, SAFETY CONSCIOUS COVERAGE

Press Release For immediate release, December 3, 2020 As bye-elections holds in Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe Constituency II House of Assembly, on Saturday, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria has tasked the journalists and other media professionals who would be on duty to adhere to professional standards while also being safety conscious. The bye elections are scheduled to hold across the five local council Areas of Somolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki. The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said the admonition had become necessary in the light of the critical role that the media plays during electioneering processes and  growing concerns over journalists’ safety across the country.  “Though this election is not a state-wide election, it does not reduce the fact that it still falls under the purview of media electoral responsibility. For the contestants and their gladiators, it is an election, which is by no means of less value than any other election, so the atmosphere within the five councils where the elections will take place will reflect basic and essential activities associated with the conduct of an election. It is therefore very important for journalists covering the bye-elections to be guided by the existing ethics of professional coverage of elections as well as to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, especially  to avoid situations that will put them in harm’s way”, Mr. Arogundade said. “Like in the coverage of any electoral contest, Journalists are expected to be non-partisan. They are to maintain objectivity and balance in the coverage of the elections. Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party, but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions with statements,  tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality”, Arogundade added. He also admonished journalists covering the bye-election to be well kitted. “This is an election taking place across five councils. Journalists who are to cover the elections should ensure that they are fully kitted and accredited to do so, in order to avoid situation wherein security agencies would have to question them or bar them from performing their duties. Journalists, who are not on election duty, should avoid straying into the identified local councils at will during the stipulated period of the election. At all times, journalists covering the bye –elections must have their identification card and press/media tag clearly displayed to avoid undue harassment and unnecessary identity checks by the security agencies.” Arogundade added. He also enjoined, other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake the performance of their tasks in a civil and responsible manner. “The security forces should note that the media is a critical part of the electoral process and so the journalists should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations as partners in enshrining the credibility of the electoral process. The media should be seen as partners in progress and not as adversaries”, Arogundade added. SGD: Melody Lawal Program Officer/ Safety Alert Officer IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Elections, Journalism, News, Nigeria Elections, Nigerian Journalists, Press Release, Safety of journalists

Press Release ONDO DECIDES: IPC TASKS JOURNALISTS, SECURITY OPERATIVES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON SAFETY

Press Release ONDO DECIDES: IPC TASKS JOURNALISTS, SECURITY OPERATIVES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON SAFETY For immediate release, October 8, 2020 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria has enjoined journalists and other media professionals that would be on electoral duty in Ondo State on Saturday, 10th October 2020 to pay deserved attention to their safety. IPC also urged security operatives and other stakeholders that would be involved in the Ondo state Governorship election to help ensure the safety of journalists. IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said the call was necessary because of the emerging conflicts and tension by political actors and other players in the electoral process in the state, the recent signing of a peace accord notwithstanding.  “It is very important for journalists covering the Ondo state election to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, and to avoid situations that will put them in danger.  Journalists are expected to take into consideration some safety measures while on the field he said, adding that they should internalize the following tips: Be non-partisan Don’t walk or move alone Be INEC accredited and have your organizational identity card Be brave and smart…i.e. cover violent situations from a reasonable distance Handle classified information appropriately He also admonished other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake their tasks in a very professional manner. He urged The Inspector General of Police to advice officers and men on the field, to protect accredited journalists, because the media is a critical part of the electoral process and journalists should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations as partners in enshrining the credibility of the electoral process. “Other stakeholders, including elections observers should also proactively provide journalists covering the elections with information to ensure that all work together for the success of the elections”, Arogundade added. As part of initiatives to keep tab on the safety consciousness of journalists, IPC said that there are safety alert officers who journalists under threat/attack can report to.   Arogundade said that in cases of attacks or insecurity issues, concerned journalists on the field can contact any of the following persons: Melody Lawal (Safety Alert Officer, IPC) – 08132776441 Moses Ojo (South West, Press Freedom Monitor) – 08039105566 Mr. Arogundade also enjoined journalists to report any threats to the Ondo state Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. SGD: Melody Lawal Program Officer/ Safety Alert Officer IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Elections, INEC, News, Nigeria Elections, Webinars

Media Roundtable on Electoral Reform Holds

June 24, 2020 Press Release MEDIA ROUNDTABLE ON ELECTORAL REFORMS HOLDS For immediate release: Wednesday June 24, 2020. A roundtable aimed at promoting discourse on the role of the media in promoting electoral reforms holds on tomorrow – Thursday June 25, 2020 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The roundtable is being convened with the Yiaga Africa, European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and EU-SDGN townhall meeting on electoral reforms taking place on June 30th in focus. The theme of the webinar is: Media as Catalysts of Best Democratic Practices: Yiaga Africa-ECES/EU-SDGN Town hall meeting on electoral reforms in focus. The thrust of the webinar is to elicit media interest in and facilitate greater media coverage and reportage of the whole gamut of the electoral process to ensure that needed reforms are passed by the National Assembly through needed amendments to the Electoral Act and the constitution. About Ninety participants (male and female journalists and editors) from the broadcast, print and online media (across the six-geo political zone) shall participate in the webinar in pursuance of the broad objectives of the EU-SDGN project. A team media of experts comprising Mr. Hamza Idris, Editor of Daily Trust; Mr. Taiwo Gorge, Editor, The Cable; Dr. Biodun Ogidan, Nigeria Community Radio Coalition; Mrs. Mary Atolagbe, Secretary, Nigerian Guild of Editors/Deputy Director Digital Media Voice of Nigeria (VON); Mr. Imoni Amarere, Executive Director, AIT and Mr. Eze Anaba, Editor, Vanguard shall offer insights on the theme. The event shall also feature opening remarks by Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director, IMS; Mrs. Laolu Olawumi, Programme Manager, EU-SDGN and Manji Wilson – Coordination Advisor/Electoral Administration Expert, ECES while Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa shall give the background note among others. There will also be special interventions by Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman and Mr. Jake Epelle, Executive Director of The Albino Foundation. The event can be viewed live on IPC facebook media page and social media handles. SANMI FALOBIProgramme ManagerInternational Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Nigeria www.ipcng.org l www.twitter.com/IPCng l www.facebook.com/ipc.nigeria l www.youtube.com/ipcng l Google+ : Ipc Ng ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Tel: +234 80 2362 6281 Twitter: @sanmifalobi /Facebook: sanmifalobi /Linkedin:Sanmifalobi ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Freelance Journalist @ www.sdnonline.net Publisher/Editor@ SUCCESSTACT #successtact WACC-Africa Region (WACC-AR) member @ INNATE COMMUNICATIONS Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)

voting amidst covid
#Eu4DemocracyNg, COVID 19, Elections, Media News, News, Nigeria Elections, Press Release

2020 Edo and Ondo governorship elections: Civil society groups host Live TV and virtual citizens’ townhall on Voting Amidst COVID-19

Press Release 2020 Edo and Ondo governorship elections: Civil society groups host Live TV and virtual citizens’ townhall on Voting Amidst COVID-19 On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, civil society groups will host a Live TV and virtual citizens’ townhall on voting amidst the COVID-19 pandemic ahead of the September 19 and October 10 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states respectively. The townhall seeks to facilitate public debate on the impact of COVID-19 on elections with a view to harness citizen input into the INEC policy on elections in the context of COVID-19. The townhall will be hosted by Yiaga Africa and its partners with support from the European Union. The program will broadcast live on Channels Television (DSTV channel 254 and GOTV channel 95) on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 by 7:00pm. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released its Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. The purpose of the policy, according to INEC, is ‘to enable officials and staff of the Commission to understand and respond adequately to the challenges of conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its health and financial implications, and to provide a guide for engagement with stakeholders during elections’. The policy will regulate the conduct of the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo and rescheduled bye-elections. INEC is consulting with relevant stakeholders to solicit feedback on the proposed policy.Critically, the townhall will provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to build consensus on safeguarding public health and electoral integrity in the forthcoming elections. It is expected that the townhall will increase public awareness on new processes and guidelines introduced in the electoral process due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The live Two-Hour TV debate will bring together stakeholders including INEC, Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), security agencies, CSOs, political parties, citizens and the media to discuss the practicalities of conducting elections amidst COVID-19 and the overriding implications of not conducting elections within constitutional time limits. The event will also draw on experiences of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in other jurisdictions who recently conducted elections amidst COVID-19. To ensure public participation, the citizens’ townhall will be livestreamed on Channels TV and Yiaga Africa’s pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter via #VotingAmidstCOVID19. Citizens can send their questions and comments before or during the townhall to Yiaga Africa via SMS or WhatsApp to 09038007744 or email – watchingthevote@yiaga.org. The event is organized within the framework of the EU Support to democratic governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme with the following EU-SDGN partners; the Albino Foundation, International Press Centre (IPC), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), CLEEN Foundation, European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Westminster Foundation, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), BBC Media Action, Institute of Media and Society (IMS) and Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ). It is part of civil society’s contribution to ensuing electoral integrity and citizens’ participation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. –END– Itodo SamsonExecutive Director, Yiaga Africa For media inquiries please contact: Moshood Isah, Communication Officer, +234 (0) 703 666 9339, misah@yiaga.org. Learn more about #WatchingTheVote at www.watchingthevote.org or on social media on Facebook at facebook.com/yiaga.org or on Twitter @YIAGA.

Scroll to Top