By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan has said that the Press Corps, are one of the indispensable links between the Commission’s operations and the voting public.
This is even as he argued that Press Corps are important chroniclers who validate the integrity of the electoral process for the entire country of Nigeria.
Amupitan stated this in his remarks at the Public Presentation of the book titled “The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists” written by Comrade Segun Ojumu held at the Auditorium of The Electoral Institute, Abuja on Friday.
The INEC Chairman who described the role of the media as very critical said that the media, through their reportage, ensure that electoral outcomes are transparent and verifiable, the reason their work are indispensable.
Speaking specifically about the role of the INEC Press Corps, which the author of the new book leads, he said he has left one important thing for posterity, which is the book that was launched on Friday.
Said he: “I extend my deepest congratulations to the author, Mr. Segun Ojumu, the Chairman of the INEC Press Corps. This book is more than a collection of stories; it is, as many observers note, a comprehensive documentation of the sacrifices, the risks, and the behind-the-scenes experiences of the reporters who cover our nation’s complex electoral landscape.”
According to him the INEC Press Corps are one of the indispensable links between the Commission’s operations and the voting public, saying “And you, the over 100 members of the INEC Press Corps, are one of the indispensable links between the Commission’s operations and the voting public”.
Continuing, Amupitan said: “Your role is absolutely critical. You are some of the frontline correspondents who ensure electoral outcomes are transparent and verifiable. You are important chroniclers who validate the integrity of the process for the entire nation.”
The INEC boss posited that:
“This book, therefore, reminds us that democracy stands or falls on public trust. In its pages, Mr. Ojumu must have looked at the electorate’s primary safeguards against manipulation and malpractice. You provide the on-ground verification that sustains confidence in the ballot.
“The stories you tell, the accuracy you uphold, and the fairness you demonstrate play a critical role in ultimately legitimising election results. At a time when false narratives can spread faster than the truth, your meticulous and professional documentation is needed more than ever before.”
In his welcome speech, the author, Comrade Ojumu said the book is his humble contribution to the deepening of democracy in Nigeria, adding that the book is an account of someone who has covered the country’s electoral process especially various elections from the local, state and general elections.
He encouraged all and sundry to obtain a copy of the book because it is very educative and informative too.
Amongst dignitaries who attended the book launch are the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun who sent a representative and Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Aminu Idris.
Others are the acting Director-General, The Electoral Institute (TEI), Professor Ibrahim Sanni; Mr. Jake Epelle, founder of The Albino Foundation (TAF); Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the immediate past INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu; directors and senior officials of INEC; members of the INEC Press Corps.
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