Press Release

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PRESS RELEASE

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IPC DECRIES THREATS ON JOURNALIST RUKAYYAH JIBIA’S LIFE For immediate release, May 27, 2023 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria is greatly concerned about reported threats on the life of Katsina-based journalist, Rukayyah Jibia who works with Tambarin Hausa Television in Katsina. Narrating her ordeal in a telephone interview with DAILY NIGERIAN, Ms. Jibia said, “On May 21st, I posted a video on my person TikTok handle where I criticized the way and manner in which some ladies were paraded by the police for alleged prostitution. I suggested to them to always allow the court to pronounce accused persons guilty before they are paraded before the press.” “The next day after posting the video, I received a call from the Katsina State Police Command public relations officer, Gambo Isah, asking me to report to the Emir’s palace.” “I was on my way to the Emir’s palace, when the police blocked my way and stopped my vehicle. I didn’t know they were on my trail. They came with about four vehicles and one Hilux. There were about 21 policemen. So, when the incident happened, I was on the phone with my colleague, Jamil, and I explained the situation to him.” “I told him if I go missing, the police should be held responsible, but they forcefully grabbed and twisted my hands to collect the phone and smashed it on the ground. In the process, I sustained a minor injury.” Ms. Jabia who is currently on the run stated that she was arraigned before a Sharia Court on the 23rd of May, 2023, but fortunately the Khadi was not on seat because the court had closed before they arrived. She was later taken to the area commander and secured bail after spending five hours. IPC is deeply worried about the situation of Journalist Rukayyah Jibia and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that she is not harmed in any way. IPC enjoins anyone who may be aggrieved over the alleged action by the journalist to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help. IPC therefore appeals to other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for her safety, as she is currently hiding because her life is in danger. IPC again calls for an end to the harassment and arrests of journalists so that Nigeria can qualify to be described as a democratic country where the rule of law is not ignored. SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Press Freedom Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

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Press Statement

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WPFD 2023: IPC ESTABLISHES CENTRE ON SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS, LAMENTS INCREASING ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS/MEDIA For immediate release, May 3rd, 2023 To further address the growing spate of attacks on journalists and the threats on media freedom in Nigeria, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has announced that it is establishing a Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalist (CSFPJ), as part of its unique activities to commemorate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2023. A statement by Mr. Lanre Arogundade, IPC’s Executive Director, Melody Lawal has been appointed has the Centre Coordinator, with the task of positioning the CSFPJ to strategically coordinate initiatives to respond to the challenge of addressing the worsening state of the safety of journalists and Press freedom in Nigeria. According to Mrs. Lawal, an indication of the deteriorating Press freedom situation was the fact that the year 2022 witnessed more attacks on journalists and the media than the previous year. Unlike 2021 when forty-one (41) attacks were documented, the IPC Safety of Journalists Alert Desk recorded sixty-six (66) attacks in 2022 with the perpetrators including law enforcement and security agents; political thugs and hoodlums; unknown gunmen, among others. The breakdown shows that four (4) attacks were recorded in the North West, sixteen (16) in the North Central, six (6) in the North East, twenty-six (26) in the South West, four (4) in the South East and ten (10) in the South South. The types of attacks include physical assault, abduction, gun attack, threat to life, denial of access to information, unlawful arrest and detention, harassment, threat to sanction and payment of fine, with twenty-six (26) broadcast journalists, thirteen (13) print journalists and twenty-four (24) online journalists among those affected. In terms of gender, fifty-six (56) male journalists and ten (10) female journalists suffered one form of molestation or the other. According to the statement by IPC, full details of the attacks and the modus operandi of the new Centre on the Safety of Journalists will be unveiled at a media roundtable organised by IPC in partnership with the West Zone of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at Ibadan, Oyo State. The roundtable, slated for Friday, May 5, 2023 shall have Professor Tokunbo Adaja, Dean College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), giving the keynote address on ‘Protecting Freedom of Expression in the Age of Misinformation & Disinformation’. The event, which will be attended by editors, journalists and other media professionals and leaders of the NUJ is expected to exhaustively discuss the press freedom situation in the country and make recommendations on how the deteriorating situation can be checked. SGD: Melody Lawal, Coordinator, Centre on Safety of Journalists IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

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PRESS STATEMENT – IPC CONGRATULATES ELECTED FEMALE CANDIDATES, URGES LOSERS NOT TO DESPAIR

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The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos – Nigeria felicitates all elected female candidates following the recently concluded general elections. IPC especially congratulates four of the elected female lawmakers who were part of the 45 female candidates whose skills were enhanced during a two-day capacity building on strategic communication and media use ahead 2023 elections under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase II (EUSDGN II) project. The capacity building sessions, which were held December 2022, at Osogbo and Port-Harcourt respectively were part of the activities under Component 4 (Support to Media) implemented by IPC. Hon. Fakunle Iyabo Okieimen (Ekiti State House of Assembly); Hon. Maryam Ogunlade (Ekiti State House of Assembly); Hon. Rita Agbo Ayim (Cross River State House of Assembly) and Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba (Bayelsa State House of Assembly) are the distinguished four who were recipients of IPCs capacity building for female candidates prior to the elections. While noting that the knowledge gained were life-long skills which were generally and particularly useful in advancing the electoral aspirations of the female candidates, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “we are indeed elated and rejoice with all the female candidates who emerged victorious in the recently concluded elections, especially those who went through our capacity building programme before the elections.” “It also gladdens our heart that there is a marginal increase in the number of women elected into office at the sub-national parliamentary level, compared to the 2019 elections. This is an indication that concerted efforts at positioning more women in political office has yielded results and this should be sustained, moreso as women play important roles in the strengthening of democracy”, Arogundade added. He therefore charged the elected female lawmakers to ensure that they make a difference by sponsoring or supporting motions and bills that will promote inclusive governance so that women, youths, persons with disabilities and rural dwellers can feel the positive effects of democracy. On the female candidates who did not succeed at the polls, Mr. Arogundade advised them not to be discouraged stating that the future would be bright as awareness is growing on the benefits of increased female participation in politics and governance. According to him, IPC will continue to partner with both the elected and non-elected female politicians on the promotion of inclusive governance in Nigeria. SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Programme Officer Component 4 (Support to media) EUSDGN II Project

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Press Release

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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

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Press Release
MEDIA COVERAGE OF GUBERNATORIAL & HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS: IPC ADMONISHES JOURNALISTS TO ADHERE TO SAFETY & PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY

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For immediate release, Thursday March 16th, 2023. As the Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections holds on Saturday, 18th March, 2023 the International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, has urged journalists to adhere to the guidelines contained in the IPC safety and professional advisory, which is aimed at ensuring the safety of journalists in the course of covering and reporting the elections. This is sequel to the update of the advisory which was launched prior to the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said in a statement that the advisory which has been updated after the Presidential elections became imperative in light of the critical role that the media plays during electioneering processes and the growing concerns over journalists’ safety during elections. Mr. Arogundade noted that it is very important for journalists covering the elections to be guided by the existing ethics of professional coverage of the 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. “It is against this background that the advisory has been updated to a better readable and easier downloadable format which is divided into two parts – Safety and Ethics/Professionalism”, Arogundade said. “The advisory is for the purpose of ensuring journalists who are covering the elections are fully equipped with safety tools and precautions to engage with while on the field. The overall goal is to provide guidelines and practical advice for journalists so they may not become victims or targets of harassment or attack”, Arogundade added. The advisory also includes statements on the necessity for journalists to remain non-partisan; to maintain integrity as well as being conscious and aware of suspicious movements around them and those suspect they are being followed should immediately alert their newsrooms and other close contacts, among other provisions. Arogundade also enjoined other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake the performance of their tasks in a civil and responsible manner. The details of the advisory can be accessed at SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Press Freedom Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

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MEDIA COVERAGE OF 2023 ELECTIONS: IPC HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS’ ROUNDTABLE ON MONITORING REPORT…… UNVEILS THE REVISED NIGERIAN MEDIA CODE OF ELECTION COVERAGE

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For Immediate Release: Sunday, January 22, 2023 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, is convening a stakeholders’ roundtable at which it will present the findings from its on-going media monitoring of coverage of elections. The roundtable event which will be held on Tuesday January 24, 2023, will feature discussions on the findings of the monitoring in October and November 2022 and the presentation of the revised Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage. The convergence which shall attract stakeholders from the media, civil society, academia, regulatory bodies, and other relevant organisations will present the opportunity for the media monitoring report to be assessed. The media monitoring is one of the activities being implemented by IPC under an EU funded project entitled, “Strengthening the media for fair, accurate, ethical, and inclusive coverage of the electoral processes and elections in Nigeria”. The Executive Director IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement said: “In addition to promoting democratic elections, the analysis of the media monitoring report of the 2023 elections is pivotal in determining the extent to which the elections can be said to be inclusive”. He added: “This is why IPC will also present a performance scorecard by the monitored media based on their promotion of inclusive issues in their coverage and reportage of the electoral processes and elections particularly in line with the stipulations of the Media Code of Election Coverage”. The newspapers monitored are The Punch, The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard, ThisDay, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, Leadership, Daily Trust, and Daily Independent while the five online media include The Cable, the Premium Times, Eagle Online, RealNews and the Authority. Also monitored are the News Portal (website) and the twitter handles of Nigeria’s election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Prof Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, shall serve as the reviewer of the reports, while Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, General Secretary, NGE and Dr. Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, (Vice President, North Central, ACSPN), shall be the lead discussants. The overall goal of the media component under EUSDGN II of which IPC is the lead partner is to “Support the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria with the media (broadcast, print and online media) helping to facilitate the key ingredient of credible elections through engagement and professionalism in coverage and reportage of the electoral processes.” The other partner is the Institute of Media Society (IMS).   SGD: Olutoyin Ayoade Communications Officer Component 4 (Support to Media) EUSDGN II Project tayoade@ipcng.org

Press Release, Uncategorized

PRESS RELEASE

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IPC TRAINS 160 BLOGGERS AND ONLINE JOURNALISTS ON CONFLICT-SENSITIVE REPORTING…. INEC LEADERSHIP TO SERVE AS SPECIAL GUESTS For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Ahead of the February 2023 general elections, a one-day skill-enhancing virtual workshop for 40 bloggers and online journalists in the southern part of the country on conflict-sensitive reporting is scheduled to be held tomorrow 12 January 2023. 40 bloggers from the Northern part will be trained next Tuesday making a total of 80 before the 2023 general elections. The workshop is 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. The EU funded virtual workshop aims to mitigate the spread of hate speech and the harmful effects of unethical and insensitive reportage of the 2023 Nigeria electoral processes, by supporting the media professionals in the acquisition of ethical and conflict-sensitive reporting skills. In a statement, the Executive Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “In achieving credible elections in the face of several ongoing national economic, environmental, and security challenges, the major stakeholder, the media have the responsibility of integrating a conflict-sensitive approach in their electoral reports “. The Executive Director added that “Moreover, the complex nature of the online journalism and its effects on the spread of electoral hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, further validates the necessity for the IPC initiative in building the capacity of the online journalists to acquire the necessary skills to accomplish fair and balanced election reports which also helps to mitigate violent conflict”. The beneficiaries at the virtual event shall include online Journalists and bloggers some of whom are members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, (GOCOP) who will be involved in reporting the 2023 elections online. The Thursday event shall be moderated by Ms. Maureen Chigbo, President of GOCOP while Dr Qasim Akinreti, Deputy Director, Digital Media, Voice of Nigeria, Abuja, and Prof. Muyiwa Popoola, Professor of Journalism, Communication and Media Studies, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo shall serve as facilitators. Special guests Mr. Ayo Aluko, Director of Voter Education, INEC and Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC are also expected to give goodwill messages during the engagement. 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

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

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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

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IPC HOLDS INTERFACE WITH INEC ON ELECTORAL DISINFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION: FESTUS OKOYE IS SPECIAL GUEST

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PRESS RELEASE IPC HOLDS INTERFACE WITH INEC ON ELECTORAL DISINFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION: FESTUS OKOYE IS SPECIAL GUEST For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 8, 2022 Experts from INEC, the media and the civil society will on Saturday December 10, 2022, assemble in Abuja to brainstorm on the challenge of disinformation and misinformation as the 2023 general elections beckons. The interface between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders on flashpoints of electoral disinformation and misinformation ahead of the 2023 Elections is being organised by the International Press Centre (IPC), the lead partner of component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II (EUSDGN II) project. To be chaired by Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Chairman of the Editorial Board of Premium Times and Senior Fellow of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the interface at which Festus Okoye, INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education will give the keynote address, is expected to outline measures for curbing fake news in the electoral process. In a statement the Communications Officer of IPC, Ms.  Olutoyin Ayoade, said: “if the spread of fake news in the electoral process is left unchecked it could deny the voters the opportunity to make informed choices at the polls while it may also induce hate speech and electoral violence”. “As observed during the Nigeria 2019 elections, fake news can be potentially weaponized, if appropriate measures are not properly established to tackle it”, the statement added. At least 40 stakeholders including editors, correspondents, CSO representatives, the INEC Director of Voter Education, Mr. Ayo Aluko and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi are expected at the interface. The specific objective of the EU funded media component 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

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Press Release

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CLOSURE OF ZAMFARA MEDIA HOUSES, WORRISOME, UNACCEPTABLE – IPC CALLS FOR CAUTION For immediate release, October 17, 2022  The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos – Nigeria is worried by the recent closure of some media outlets by the Zamfara state government, describing the action as unacceptable and a violation of the rule of law. According to the State government the order for closure was because ‘the media outlets affected were found guilty of breaking the laws of journalism’ The affected media outlets are Radio Nigeria, Pride FM Gusau, NTA Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, and Al Umma TV. According to a statement by Zamfara Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara, the government also directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to arrest all pressmen that attended an event organised by the PDP Governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare. The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said that the closure of the media outlets is another attempt to stifle press freedom in the country warning that the government should subject itself to the rule of law and not be the accuser and judge in its case. “This closure is an attempt by the Zamfara state government to suppress freedom of the press in the state. Directing the Police to further arrest pressmen for attending an event is worrisome and a violation of citizens’ right to be informed,” Arogundade advised the Zamfara state government to take its case to the media regulatory bodies, vested with the power to sanction or withdraw licenses of media outlets who may be found guilty of breaking the laws of journalism. “It is not within the powers of the Governor or his agents, under whatever guise, to carry out such duties, as shutting down or sealing off media houses. This should be condemned by all” Mr. Arogundade said. The IPC, therefore, requests the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Buhari to call Governor Bello Matawalle to order as he has acted beyond his executive powers. IPC equally calls on the Inspector General of Police to provide the necessary protection to all journalists and media outlets within Zamfara state and its environs as envisaged under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “There should be no disturbances or threats to the electoral processes as all Nigerians look forward to a smooth election in 2023”. Arogundade said. SGD: Melody Lawal Program Officer/Safety Desk Officer IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

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