The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sought closer collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to promote credible elections, responsible media coverage and peaceful democratic processes ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The regional organisation made the call during a courtesy visit by a 13-member delegation to the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, as part of its assessment of Nigeria’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
The delegation said the engagement aligned with ECOWAS’ obligations under its Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which emphasises credible elections, democratic accountability, and responsible information dissemination among member states.
The delegation was led by His Excellency Victor Bockarie Foh, former Vice-President of Sierra Leone.
Other members included Madam Francess Piagie Alghali, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Dr Julius Sandi, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner representing the ECOWAS Permanent Representative.
Speaking during the meeting, the head of the delegation reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting member states in conducting peaceful, transparent and credible elections.
Responding, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, welcomed the delegation and commended ECOWAS for its sustained efforts towards strengthening democracy and good governance across West Africa.
Yahya assured the visitors that the NUJ was prepared to mobilise journalists across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure comprehensive, professional and responsible coverage of the 2027 electoral process.
He, however, drew attention to challenges confronting journalists during elections, including inadequate funding, harassment and attacks by security personnel and non-state actors, as well as insufficient periodic training in election reporting.
The NUJ President stressed the need for stronger measures to protect journalists and equip them with the skills required to report elections accurately, fairly and professionally.
On the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, particularly across social media platforms, Yahya reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to promoting fact-checking and responsible journalism.
He emphasised the need to strengthen conventional media as a dependable source of verified information, especially during politically sensitive periods.
He maintained that journalists must be held accountable for professional misconduct, noting that members found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
He nevertheless stressed that the Union would continue to defend journalists whose rights were violated while carrying out legitimate professional assignments.
Yahya also urged media practitioners to place national security and the public interest at the centre of their reporting, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
On electoral reforms, the NUJ President argued that Nigeria’s electoral framework required further review to address emerging political and democratic realities.
He acknowledged that no legal or constitutional framework could remain permanently adequate in a constantly evolving society, insisting that periodic reforms were necessary to strengthen the electoral process.
He specifically proposed a review of the Electoral Act to ensure that political aspirants could establish their eligibility and electoral standing at least eight months before a general election.
According to him, such an arrangement would reduce uncertainty, minimise political tension and help prevent avoidable confrontations among aspirants and their supporters.
In his response, the ECOWAS delegation leader commended the NUJ President for highlighting critical issues affecting election reporting and democratic participation in Nigeria.
He encouraged the Union to sustain its commitment to responsible journalism, professional standards and credible electoral coverage, while reiterating ECOWAS’ readiness to support peaceful democratic processes across the sub-region.
The engagement provided an opportunity for both organisations to examine the media’s critical role in strengthening democratic institutions, countering misinformation and promoting peaceful elections.
With political activities expected to gather momentum ahead of 2027, the discussions underscored the importance of collaboration between regional democratic institutions and the media in ensuring that voters have access to accurate, balanced and reliable information.
