Media, Not INEC Alone, Responsible For Electoral Integrity —Uzodimma

GOVERNOR Hope Uzodimma of Imo State says the responsibility for ensuring credible elections in Nigeria goes beyond the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies — it also lies with the media.
Speaking at the All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) in Abuja, Uzodimma said editorial integrity is central to electoral integrity, as the media shapes the public’s confidence in the electoral process.
“Editors often treat electoral integrity as someone else’s responsibility — INEC, the Executive, or Civil Society. But it is yours too,” he declared.
He warned that false or tribal narratives in the media can damage democracy long before votes are cast, urging editors to “protect electoral integrity through honest, verified, and balanced reporting.”
Uzodimma also lamented Nigeria’s growing trust deficit, noting that public faith in the media has fallen to 51%, lower than NGOs and private businesses.
“Nigerians trust corporations seeking profit more than journalists seeking truth. This is an institutional crisis,” he said.