As preparations intensify for the Ekiti State governorship election, the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) are convening high-level media–stakeholder forum from April 15 to 16, 2026, aimed at reinforcing electoral accountability and safeguarding the integrity of the process.

The engagements are within the framework of Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme and will bring together journalists and key institutional actors to interrogate the evolving dynamics shaping the electoral environment and the media’s critical role in enabling informed political choices.

Deliberations on the opening day will centre on early warning indicators within the Ekiti socio-political landscape, alongside a forward-looking assessment of emerging threats to information integrity.

Emphasis will be placed on strengthening the capacity of the media to deliver accurate, issue-driven, inclusive, and gender-responsive reporting across the electoral cycle.

The forum will also draw on the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) recommendations on media conduct during elections, while examining regulatory frameworks governing electoral coverage, including the Electoral Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.

Proceedings on the second day will feature a multi-stakeholder panel comprising representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Ekiti State.

Discussions will focus on operational collaboration around journalists’ safety, conflict-sensitive reporting, and the promotion of peaceful civic engagement.

Targeted media appearances and broadcast features across major radio and television stations in Ekiti will follow on April 17, 2026, aimed at strengthening voter awareness and promoting peaceful, transparent, and inclusive electoral participation.

The forum will bring together about 50 journalists across print, broadcast, and digital platforms, building on similar engagements in Edo, Kogi, Anambra, and Ondo to strengthen professionalism and transparency.

Ahead of the forum, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said:

“Electoral integrity in Nigeria continues to be undermined by violence, interference, vote buying, weak enforcement, misinformation, and the growing threat of deepfakes, all of which erode public trust in the process. Given the media’s pivotal role in promoting truth and accountability, accurate and responsible reporting remains essential to safeguarding electoral probity. This initiative seeks to strengthen the media, deepen collaboration among stakeholders, and reinforce accountability ahead of the Ekiti poll.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, said:

“As preparations for the Ekiti governorship election progress, the information space is becoming increasingly complex, requiring stronger capacity for accurate and responsible reporting. This forum provides an opportunity for media practitioners and election stakeholders to engage on practical approaches to improving collaboration, strengthening preparedness, and supporting a more informed electoral environment.”

The initiative will also be extended to the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 2026.

The Support to Media component seeks to strengthen democratic consolidation in Nigeria by enhancing the capacity of broadcast, print, and online media to deliver professional and responsible electoral coverage.

Through its six interconnected components supporting INEC, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, political parties, civil society, and the media, the EU-SDGN II programme demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive, pluralistic, and participatory democracy in Nigeria.