JANET SAMUEL, ABUJA
Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (Rec) of The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Gabriel Longpet, has advised politicians in the state against electoral violence before, during and after the election.
Longpet gave the advice while speaking during an interactive section with Journalists from Kogi State at a 2-day media training organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN) in Abuja.
The Electoral Commissioner who appealed to political actors to cautious their followers on their various activities, noted that every political party deserve an equal media space according to the law.
He urged journalist to take the responsibility of changing the narrative of kogi election from the perspective it has been viewed from over the years through their reportage.
Longpet disclosed further that the development of a good democratic system is usually triggered by the media, solicited the support of the media in making the Kogi State election credible.
He urged the media to bring to the attention of the political parties and electorate what is required of them for a peaceful and credible election.
The Resident Commissioner who affirmed that INEC has enjoyed good relationship with kogi state Journalist over time, urged them to sustain the relationship as he called for more support and collaboration in the area of awareness creation And sensitization of the public.
Earlier, The Executive Director of IPC Lanre Arogundade in his opening remark, charged the media to be accountable to public scrutiny, bring professionalism and objectivity to bear in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Arogundade who disclosed that the workshop is to critically examine the Media to interface rightly and in writing a balance reportage of election activities for the public to make informed judgement, urged them to take a role in educating electorate towards participating actively in the forthcoming Governorship Election .
