As REC appreciates Anambra media for always being there for her commission.
By Okwy Joseph Ejezie.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged media to be accurate and just in their reportage, especially now that Anambra State is getting ready for governorship election on November 8, 2025.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee in INEC’S headquarters, Abuja, Mr Sam Olumekun, gave the charge while addressing representatives of media houses in Anambra State ahead of governorship election in a forum organized for media executives, reporters, producers and on-air personalities, held on Tuesday, 21st October, 2025, at La Luna Hotel, Awka, Anambra State.Mr Olumekun,
He expressed his pleasure to be in their midst once again under the canopy of partnership and shared purpose of strengthening the nation’s democracy through credible information and responsible commission.
The INEC National Commissioner, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, reminded them that the forum was not just another event in the build up to Anambra State Governorship Election schedule for Saturday, November 8,2025, but rather a reaffirmation of his commission ‘s commitment to transparency, openess and collaboration with the media, their indispensable partners in nation-building.
Mr Sam Olumekun used the opportunity to appreciate the media for their professionalism and balanced reportage during the recent Anambra South Senatorial Bye-Election. He equally appreciated the media for upholding the ethics of journalism,resisted sensationalism, and ensured that facts, not falsehoods, guided public understanding.
He ensured the media that his commission is fully prepared for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election on November 8,2025 in line with their commitment to credible and inclusive elections.
According to him, his commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholders’ engagement and security coordination.Mr Olumekun used the forum to inform the media and residents of Anambra State, especially those of voting age that Permanent Voter’s Cards from the recently conducted Continuous Voters Registration exercise in Anambra State are ready for collection starting from Wednesday, 22nd to Sunday, 26th October,2025.
He, therefore, encouraged those who registered during the last exercise to visit the Wards where they registered, to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC). He emphatically stated that there would be no collection of PVCs by proxy.In conclusion,
Mr Sam Olumekun assured the media and residents of Anambra State of his commission’s preparedness to conduct free, fair and creditable election on the November 8 Governorship Election in the state.He, however, also pointed out that fake news and misinformation are the biggest threats to electoral integrity, and equally stated that false stories, manipulated videos and unverified claims could create unnecessary tension and erode public trust. He, then, called on editors ,news producers, and on-air personalities to verify before amplifying.
In her welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anambra State, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, appreciated the media personalities in Anambra State for always being there for her commission since 2023 she assumed office in Anambra State. She expressed her profound gratitude to the members of the pen profession in Anambra State for their balanced reportage and also for upholding the ethics of their profession.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, who was represented by the Secretary of the Union, Okechukwu Onuegbu, pleaded with the officers of the commission to always make themselves accessible to ensure that accurate information is obtained. He also stated that fake news and misinformation are being spread by so-called social media influencers and content creators, and not professional journalists.
Onuegbu suggested to INEC to partner with NUJ and organize more trainings for the members of NUJ, so-called social media influencers and content creators to know what fact -check is all about, more importantly, to know how to check spread of fake news.
In his paper presentation on Technological innovations with emphasis on BVAS and IReV, Head of Department of ICT/VR assured the Anambra voters that BVAS and IReV have been upgraded to give them free, fair and creditable election. He equally made it known that BVAS has been programmed to active on election from 8:30am and ends at 2:30pm, and cautioned that ad-hoc staff who presses on the End Button would make the machine to malfunction during elections. He told Ndi Anambra of voting age that accreditation and voting will commence at 8:30am and ends at 2:30pm.
According to him, about 2.8 million registered voters are expected to vote during November 8 Governorship Election in Anambra State.
Mrs Olachi Chioma,who, Head of Department of Legal unit, ln her paper presentation on the Electoral Act 2022 and the Election, frowned at votes buying and selling. She encouraged security agents to arrest anybody caught around polling units buying or selling votes on election day, because Electoral Act,2022 condemns it.
She further told the media that according to Electoral Act 2022, as amended states that N1 billion is the maximum amount a governorship candidate is allowed by law to spend during campaigns.
Mr Ejidike Ejimoffor, who is Head of Department of Electoral Operations, in his paper presentation on Voting Processes and Procedures, stated that his commission is always ready to give out timely information on its activities in any given year.
