Anambra Guber: IPC, CEMESO call journalists’ safety, election transparency
The International Press Centre, IPC and the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring transparent and credible polls through the Anambra Election Observation Hub.
The initiative comes under the European Union, EU Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme Phase II.
A statement made available to Journalists on Friday by the leadership of IPC, the initiative aims to monitor the election in real time, protect journalists, and counter misinformation that could undermine the process.
With more than 2.8 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government councils, the two organisations, according to the statement, have been using radio and television engagements to urge key stakeholders, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies, to guarantee journalists’ safety and freedom to operate during the polls.
“Safeguarding journalists is essential to accurate and independent election reporting, which in turn reinforces electoral integrity and public trust,” the groups said in the joint statement.
Calling for increased voter education on election day procedures, the Observation Hub said the duo will coordinate press briefings, field monitoring, and live media assessment across traditional and digital platforms.
“It will also track safety risks faced by journalists, conduct electoral fact-checking, and provide real-time analysis through radio and television updates,” the statement read.
The hub will facilitate a rapid response mechanism which will allow swift identification and escalation of election-related incidents such as threats to journalists, voter suppression, or disinformation. Observers deployed across all 21 LGAs will send real-time reports to guide timely interventions.
“Data from a pre-election risk analysis conducted between June 2024 and October 2025 revealed multiple cases of press intimidation. Notably, 18 journalists were detained by vigilante operatives during the Anambra South senatorial by-election on August 16, 2025, with similar incidents reported in Nnewi South, Aguata, Ihiala, and Orumba South.
These developments highlight the urgent need for authorities to guarantee a safe environment for media professionals to report freely and without fear,” IPC and CEMESO stated.
Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, said the organisation is leveraging data and technology to identify and mitigate risks.
“The Anambra governorship election faces not only traditional risks but also evolving digital threats, including coordinated misinformation targeting journalists.
On his part, CEMESO’s Executive Director, Dr Akin Akingbulu, emphasised that the Hub’s data-driven approach will strengthen media accountability.
“By tracking misinformation networks and amplifying verified reporting via Halt Fake and the Nigerian Democratic Report, we ensure voters have access to trustworthy information in real time,” he said.