As Ekiti State prepares for its governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have called on journalists to uphold professionalism while prioritising their safety in the line of duty.
The election will take place across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the advisory was necessary given the critical role of the media during elections and the potential risks journalists face in the field.
He urged journalists to remain non-partisan, stressing that partisanship goes beyond political party membership to include the use of language, symbols, colours, or expressions that may suggest affiliation with any political interest.
Arogundade also emphasized the importance of proper accreditation and identification.
“Journalists covering the elections must be fully accredited and properly kitted. They should clearly display their identification cards and media tags at all times to avoid harassment or unnecessary checks by security agencies”, he said.
He further advised journalists not assigned to election duty to stay away from polling units during the exercise.
Also speaking, Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, highlighted the broader democratic significance of journalists’ safety, noting that the conditions under which journalists operate reflect a society’s commitment to democratic values.
“Every election is a test of those values, and the safety of journalists is central to that test”, he said.
As part of efforts to enhance journalists’ safety, IPC and CEMESO are partnering with the Ekiti State Police Command to provide field-level support. Journalists facing threats or attacks will be able to directly reach Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in their respective areas.
The organisations also called on security agencies to respect the role of the media as critical stakeholders in the electoral process and to accord journalists the necessary rights and privileges to perform their duties effectively.
Other stakeholders, including election observers, were urged to cooperate with journalists by providing timely and accurate information to support credible election coverage.
IPC/CEMESO further disclosed that designated safety alert officers will be on standby to receive reports from journalists under threat during the election.
Emergency Contacts for Journalists: Melody Akinjiyan (Press Freedom Officer) – +2348132776441
Stella Nwofia (Monitoring Officer) – +2348063810424
Bukola Obaujo (Monitoring Officer) – +2348146333108
Naomi Ibrahim (Monitoring Officer) – +2348065545113
Journalists were also encouraged to report threats to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council.
Akingbulu stressed that while collaboration with security agencies is essential, it must not compromise media independence.
“Protecting the press is not a favour to journalists; it is an investment in the credibility of the electoral process”, he said.
He added that the IPC/CEMESO safety framework aims to transform the often tense relationship between journalists and security personnel into one of constructive cooperation, without eroding the independence of the media.
The organisations recalled that a similar safety and professional advisory was issued ahead of the 2023 general elections to better equip journalists covering electoral processes.