The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has constituted an ad hoc committee to engage political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, in a move aimed at promoting issue-based political discourse, accountability and informed electoral choices.
The committee, chaired by Comrade Edward Ogude, has been mandated to identify and contact candidates contesting for the offices of Governor, Senator, Member of the House of Representatives and Member of the Delta State House of Assembly, particularly those of Delta State origin.
As part of its initial activities, the committee has commenced the process of reaching out to political candidates, with invitations already issued to 17 aspirants across the different elective positions.
The candidates include three governorship aspirants, three senatorial candidates, ten House of Representatives candidates and one candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly.
Other members of the committee are Godfrey Ubaka, Mercy Muemuifo, Andy Emephia, Emmanuel Enebeli, Shedrack Onitsha, Stephanie Ikanone-Odiete, Barth Ozah, Theophilus Onojeghen and Patrick Ochei, while Comrade Felix Ekwu serves as Secretary.
Under its terms of reference, the committee is expected to coordinate interviews, town hall meetings, debates and other media engagements at the NUJ Delta State Council Secretariat in Asaba, providing candidates with an opportunity to present their manifestoes, policy priorities and development plans to journalists and the wider public.
The initiative is also designed to give the electorate access to relevant information about candidates, their programmes and proposed solutions to the challenges confronting the state.
Speaking on the assignment, the State Secretary of NUJ Delta State Council and Secretary of the committee, Comrade Felix Ekwu, said the initiative would provide a credible media platform for political contestants to communicate their ideas and engage journalists on issues of public interest.
Ekwu explained that the committee would ensure that all participating candidates are given fair and equal opportunities, irrespective of their political affiliations, adding that the engagements would be conducted without prejudice or partisan considerations.
He noted that the committee would also publicise the engagements through media platforms and relevant stakeholders, while encouraging accurate, ethical and issue-based election reporting.
The committee is further required to develop schedules and guidelines for the engagements for approval by the Council Chairman, maintain proper records of its activities and carry out other related assignments as may be directed by the Council.
The NUJ Delta State Council stressed that the committee must operate strictly in accordance with the NUJ Code of Ethics and maintain absolute political neutrality, warning against any action that could be interpreted as an endorsement of a candidate or political party.
With political activities gradually gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the initiative is expected to strengthen the role of the media in democratic accountability by shifting attention from political rhetoric and personality-driven campaigns to policies, competence and issues affecting the people of Delta State.
The committee’s assignment, therefore, places the NUJ in a strategic position to facilitate informed public conversations and encourage candidates to subject their visions and proposed programmes to constructive scrutiny.
