The Nigerian National Committee for International Press Institute (IPI) has called on the Nigerian government and all security agencies in the country to respect the constitutional rights of journalists to freely cover and report on the general elections that begin this Saturday, February 25, without obstruction or impediment.
In separate letters to the heads of all security organizations in the country and to the electoral management body, IPI Nigeria reminded the agencies that just as they have a duty to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully, journalists also They have a duty to keep the public informed. .
The letters, which were co-signed by IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed and its Legal and Advocacy Officer Tobi Soniyi, were addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), the Commanding General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Chief of the Defense Staff.
Similar letters were written to the Minister of Information and Culture, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, as well as the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Citing the 1999 Constitution, as amended, precisely Section 39 (1) and (2), Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which also guarantee this right, IPI Nigeria reminded agencies that journalists have a legal obligation to cover elections.
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A press release signed by IPI Nigeria secretary Ahmed I. Shekarau quoted the organization’s president and legal officer as saying: “When journalists cover elections, they are fulfilling a constitutional duty. Just as it is incumbent on security agencies to protect life and property, journalists have a duty to provide the public with accurate information not only during elections but at all times.”
The Nigerian chapter of the world media body stressed that to fulfill their legal responsibility, journalists must be able to carry out their activities freely and must have unrestricted access to cover elections, stressing that “When journalists are allowed to cover elections, transparency is improved. , thus resulting in credible elections.”
IPI Nigeria said that since the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) has accredited journalists to cover elections, security officers should not prevent journalists from doing their constitutional duty.
The media agency also asked security operatives and INEC to guarantee the safety of journalists during the elections.
“Our organization will take all legitimate measures to hold accountable anyone whose action or inaction leads to the violation of the rights of any journalist during the electoral period and after,” the letter to the government, security agencies and INEC reads. .