2027:Put National Interest In Your Reportage – Gov.Uzodimma Tasks Editors
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Governor Hope Uzodinmma of Imo State and Chairman APC Governors Forum,has urged Nigerian Editors to put national interest in their reportage of activities.
Governor Uzodinmma made the request in a keynote address at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference(ANEC) holding in Abuja with the theme: “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors.”
“We are about 17 months from the next presidential election.What you do between now and then will determine not only what Nigerians know about 2027 but how they experience it.
“You will have to choose whether to frame candidates as threats or alternatives.You will choose whether to emphasize differences that divide or principles that unite.
“National interest must be your editorial North Star,and national interest,in an election year, means coverage that informs without inflaming, that holds power accountable without treating every contest as a catastrophe, that allows citizens to make choices without making them believe that the process is irredeemably broken,” he said.
He, however, noted that the editors had over the years, accomplished much that deserved recognition.
“Your newsrooms have produced investigative journalists who exposed corruption.You have published reports that held power accountable.
“Through your coverage,you have amplified marginalized voices.These contributions matter,and they are essential to democracy,” Uzodinmma said.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had understood what is at stake, describing his opening of the conference as a “huge statement of priority.”
“When a sitting president dedicates time to a gathering of editors and communication professionals,it signals that the battle against disinformation and project of national cohesion are treated as matters of national importance,” the Governor added.