The Independent National Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet has appealed to political actors in the forthcoming November Governorship Election to make the forthcoming November Governorship election to be about battle of the ballot and not bullets.
Dr. Hale cautioned against do or die politics, urged the political parties to convince the people in what they want to do differently, urged the media to help hold political parties and actors accountable.
The Media, the REC says has a greater responsibility in triggering change in the forthcoming November Governorship Election in the State, called on the media on balance and professional report that would make the election credible.
Dr. Hale made the remarks at an interaction with the media at a media training organized for journalists from Kogi State at a media roundtable engagement on Kogi governorship election in Abuja.
The media training program is organized by the EU-SUPPORT TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (EU-SDGN 11) COMPONENT 4: SUPPORT TO MEDIA.
The program is being implemented by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, lead implementing partners of Component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria EUSDGN (11) Project, holding at Treasures Suites & Conferences.
The INEC REC disclosed that the development of good democratic system is usually triggered by the media, solicited the support of the media in making the Kogi State election credible.
Dr. Longpet urged the media to bring to the knowledge of the political parties and electorate of what is required of them for a peaceful and credible election.
While pointing out that the introduction of technology and the support of the media helped in stemming the tide of violence in the 2023 General Election, assured that the election results in the forthcoming November Governorship Election will be transmitted electronically to IREV and in real time.
The Kogi INEC REC attributed the lapses to transmitting the Presidential Election results to IREV and in real time to hitches from hackers and inability of some Adhoc Staff engaged by INEC in the conduct of the Governorship Election to understand the process.
The Kogi REC said he has enjoyed tremendous relationship with the media in Kogi State, urged the media to help in educating political parties on the dos and don’t in the forthcoming November Election.
Dr. Longpet said the law allows for political parties the rights to media space, cautioned against molestation that would shrink the media space, expressed worries of report about shrinking the media space.
The Kogi REC urged the media to critically examine and bring the issues of the Governorship election to the front burner, lamented that election in the State has always had a negative perception, appealed to the media to help in changing the perception and in changing the narratives.
While assuring of a credible Governorship Election with the support of all stakeholders, the Kogi REC called on political parties to educate their supporters on expectations, cautioned against incitement and the use of foul language.