The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Abia State, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider engaging experienced journalists with proven integrity as ad hoc electoral officials, particularly Returning Officers, in the 2027 general elections.
The Chapel Chairman, Deacon Steve Oko, made the appeal on Friday during the grand finale of the Chapel’s 2026 Press Week at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Pastoral Centre, Umuahia.
Oko said journalists, by virtue of their professional training in observation, documentation and accurate reporting, could contribute to strengthening the credibility of the electoral process and public confidence in election results.
He also urged INEC to ensure effective functioning of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) and real-time transmission of results from polling units in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines.
The Chapel Chairman warned that the Commission must address the technical and operational challenges that affected the transmission of presidential election results in 2023 to prevent a recurrence in 2027.
He further demanded adequate logistical support for journalists deployed for election coverage, lamenting that media practitioners were often left to make their own arrangements despite their critical role in keeping citizens informed throughout the electoral process.
Oko also called on security agencies to guarantee journalists’ safety during the elections, warning against harassment, intimidation and attacks on media practitioners covering political activities.
On the welfare of journalists, he appealed to governments, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to support a special insurance scheme and structured welfare arrangements for practising correspondents.
He noted that many journalists worked without regular salaries, while several others were poorly remunerated despite the risks associated with their profession.
He identified a bus for mobility, a befitting office apartment, and modern reporting equipment as some of the most pressing needs of the chapel and called for urgent intervention.
Earlier, Oko disclosed that the Chapel had organised a two-day professional retreat for over 50 journalists and media practitioners in Abia State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The retreat, themed “The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls”, focused on artificial intelligence, fact-checking, misinformation, ethical election reporting, journalists’ safety and hate speech.
He said the Chapel also provided National Assembly candidates across political parties an opportunity to present their manifestos as part of efforts to promote informed electoral choices and a level playing field.
The Chapel honoured Prof. Nnenna Oti, who was the returning officer in the 2023 governorship election in Abia State, for exemplary leadership and integrity in public service, saluting her courage in resisting pressure to compromise the poll result.
