Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
As the 2027 general elections in Nigeria approach with the speed of light, the Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Disu, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, media organizations and other stakeholders have called on media practitioners and security agents to fight against fake news and insecurity.
This came as the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria CCAN has called on key players in the nation’s electoral system to work assiduously towards warding off emerging threats to free and fair polls in the country.
They spoke at the annual conference organized by the association with the theme: “Navigating Security Challenges in the 2027 General Elections: The Role or the Media in Combating Fake News”.
Speaking at the event the IGP said that the prevalence of fake and unverified information in the social and mainstream media is a potential tool for the destruction of the upcoming polls and is a threat to the nation’s electoral system
He noted that fake news has the potential to destabilize the political process and enjoined media practitioners to always verify information for authenticity and accuracy.
In his welcome speech, Chairman of the CCAN Mr Festus Fifen said that fake news is capable of inflaming passion, provoking tensions and that disinformation is more lethal than a physical attack
Also in her goodwill message, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)- FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, called for a responsible use of the media to disseminate information about the election and political parties.
She called on all stakeholders in the electoral process to work in synergy towards delivery of a free, fair and credible election in the country
Other stakeholders, as the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace and the Executive Secretary Nigeria Police Trust Fund Mr Mohamed Seidu, also called for responsible use of the media in dissemination of information about parties and the candidate and the election results.
Meanwhile the Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Disu has called on the senior Police Officers to avoid the temptation to embark on unapproved leave of absence before the election.
He made the call during the monthly meeting of strategic Police officers at the Goodluck Jonathan Peace Keeping Hall Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
He also called on the senior officers to ensure adequate training of the men and officers in the various comannds and formations of the Force ahead of the polls.
The Police boss also harped on the need for a sustained fight against banditry and other criminal activities noting that they pose a threat to the conduct of a free and fair election.
He commended the efforts of the senior officers and other personnel in the achievements recorded within the period including the rescue of kidnapped victims, the recovery of a stolen vehicle, the arrest of armed robbery suspects and the recovery of firearms among other achievements.
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