By Chuks Uzochukwu
Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of its continued support to its programmes and activities aimed at achieving free, fair and credible governorship election in the state billed for November 11th.
The council Chairman, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwanguma gave the assurance at the Media Executives workshop organised by INEC regarding the forthcoming guber poll in the state.
He reiterated that the media roles in the sustenance and promotion of democracy, good governance and development can never be overemphasised, while describing the media as, "the Oxygen that drives democracy and development all over the world."
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The Imo NUJ boss also appealed to the security operatives in the state to see, embrace and treat journalists in the state as partners in progress during and after the election period, stressing that media practitioners also play vital roles in helping to achieve violence free and credible elections.
He urged media practitioners to resist interfering in the duty of INEC and the security agents during elections, adding that only the election umpire are constitutionally empowered to announce election results.
Nwanguma further applauded the INEC for organizing the media engagement which he described as timely and vital, stressing that it provided the media Executives in the state the opportunity to to x-ray the current state of media in Imo State and other burning issues in our State as well as chart the way forward.
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He said, "It is with total humility that I most sincerely welcome you to this vital and timely Media Executives Meeting put together by INEC.
"It is important to note that without viable media, Democracy and Development will never thrive because the Media has remained the Oxygen that drives Democracy and Development all over the World.
"I strongly believe that this media Executives Meeting will provide the much needed avenue for Media Executives in Imo State to x-ray the current state of media in Imo State and other burning issues in our State.
"I must sincerely commend INEC for organizing this Meeting and wish to place on record that NUJ Imo State Council under my leadership will continue to support all the good programmes and Policies of INEC to ensure free, fair and credible Governorship election in Imo State because we are partners in Progress.
"I wish to remind all Journalists in Imo State that it is not our mandate to announce election results, constitutionally, it is the responsibility of INEC to do so.
"I humbly wish to use this unique opportunity to appeal to Security agencies in Imo State to see journalists as partners in progress during and after the Governorship election in the state because I strongly believe together, we can achieve violence free and credible Governorship election come November 11th.
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Earlier in her address, the Imo State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Prof. Sylvia Agu stated that the media meeting was organized, "to enlighten the media and her executives on the guidelines, processes and procedures ahead of the November 11th 2023 governorship election in Imo State."
She stated that, "INEC holds the media in high esteem as great partners in progress and has therefore packaged this programme to enhance the awareness and participation of voters in the state.
"So in telling our stories, I urge you all to emphasize the gains of participation and need to protect our democracy to the voters and the entire citizens."
Prof. Agu also reiterated the preparedness and commitment of the Commission to improve on the previous elections conducted in the state, assuring that INEC is poised in ensuring that November 11th governorship election meet the expectations of the citizens.
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