April 21, (THEWILL) — As momentum builds towards the Ekiti State governorship election, key electoral stakeholders, including media leaders, security agencies, and regulators, are intensifying efforts to curb misinformation, electoral violence, and voter manipulation ahead of the poll.
This formed the focus of a high-level media stakeholder forum convened by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), a statement made available to THEWILL on Tuesday disclosed.
The two-day engagement, held from April 15 to 16, 2026, according to the statement endorsed by Olutoyin Ayoade, Communications Officer
Component 4 (Support to Media)
EU-SDGN II Programme, was part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme, specifically under its media support component.
The forum brought together journalists and institutional actors to examine emerging threats to electoral integrity, with particular attention to misinformation, vote buying, political interference, and the growing use of deepfakes.
Participants also reviewed early warning signs within Ekiti’s socio-political environment and explored strategies for strengthening the role of the media in promoting credible, issue-based, and inclusive reporting throughout the electoral cycle.
On the second day, representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) deliberated on enhancing collaboration to ensure journalists’ safety, conflict-sensitive reporting, and peaceful civic participation.
The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, warned that persistent challenges ranging from electoral violence to misinformation, continue to erode public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Accurate and responsible reporting remains essential to safeguarding electoral integrity”, he said, noting that the initiative aims to deepen collaboration among stakeholders while reinforcing accountability ahead of the Ekiti poll.
Similarly, CEMESO Executive Director, Dr Akin Akingbulu, highlighted the increasing complexity of the information environment, stressing the need for improved preparedness and stronger professional standards among media practitioners.
Following the forum, targeted media engagements across radio and television stations in Ekiti are scheduled to boost voter awareness and encourage peaceful participation.
About 50 journalists from print, broadcast, and digital platforms participated in the forum, which builds on similar interventions conducted in Edo, Kogi, Anambra, and Ondo states.
Organisers also confirmed that similar engagements will be extended to Osun State ahead of its governorship election in August 2026.
The EU-SDGN II programme continues to support democratic consolidation in Nigeria through coordinated interventions targeting electoral institutions, the judiciary, political parties, civil society, and the media.
