**Protect journalists, NUJ President asks security agencies
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
With the Ondo state governorship election barely two weeks away, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has assured the electorates that there will be further improvements in the areas of logistics and better management of the processes on Election Day for the success of the November 16, 2024 governorship election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu gave this assurance on Friday at the Fourth Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the Media held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
He said there will be further improvements, especially in the areas of logistics for the movement of personnel and materials for both land and riverine locations to enable the prompt commencement of polls as well as the management of the processes on Election Day from voting to declaration of result.
Yakubu also said that as early as next week, the Commission will undertake a final readiness assessment of INEC preparations for the Ondo election, meet with our officials, engage with stakeholders and interact with the security agencies and transport providers.
Said he: “We have learnt lessons from previous elections. We have improved on the voter accreditation process and the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
“There have been similar improvements in observer and media accreditation. Our voter education efforts are ongoing. The capacity of election duty staff has improved with hands-on training for especially Polling Unit officials.
“As we approach the Ondo State governorship election, Already, Mock accreditation of voters and result upload to the IReV has been scheduled for Wednesday 6th November 2024 in 12 Polling Units across six Local Government Areas in the three Senatorial Districts of the State. A document containing the locations of the centres has been uploaded to our website. Hardcopies are included in your folders for this meeting.” he said
Also, the INEC boss announced that the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, is holding the signing of the Peace Accord for parties and candidates in Ondo State on Friday 8th November 2024.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo in his response to the INEC Chairman’s opening speech at the meeting said the safety and protection of journalists are important as the nation looks forward to the Ondo state governorship election in two weeks time.
He also called on the security agencies to protect journalists covering the election in light of the intensified threats and heightened risks that journalists face in today’s environment.
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Said he: “As we look forward to the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State and other bye-elections, I want to underscore the need for the safety and protection of our journalists.
“We urge security agencies to take proactive steps to guarantee the safety of media professionals, especially in light of the intensified threats and heightened risks that journalists face in today’s environment.
“Clampdowns, intimidation, and harassment must have no place in a democratic society; rather, it is imperative that we demonstrate maturity and respect in our dealings with media professionals, ensuring their freedom to conduct legitimate work without fear or interference”.
Isiguzo however, commend INEC for the important initiative of holding regular meetings with journalists and urged all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring a safe and fair electoral environment.
“Let us work together to protect the rights of journalists, secure their safety, and continue building a nation that values truth, democracy, and justice”, he concluded.
