International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos on Tuesday attracted two critical stakeholders in the Kogi state governorship election to address journalists practicing in the state who are currently attending a two – day media roundtable and engagement.

Specifically, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi state, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Superintendent of Police William Ovye Aya addressed the 26 selected journalists on the preparedness of the electoral umpire and the police towards achieving a crisis-free election in the state.

Dr. Longpet in his presentation appealed to political actors in the November 11 Governorship election to make it :”a battle of ballot not battle of bullets”.

Dr. Hale cautioned against do – or – die politics, urging political parties to convince the people in what they want to do differently, pleading with the media to help hold political parties and actors accountable.

The media, the REC observed has a greater responsibility in triggering change in the forthcoming governorship election in the State, stressing that journalists should balance their report professionally this helping to make the election credible.

Dr. Longpet urged the media to bring to the knowledge of political parties and their candidates, expectations of the electorate and also what is expected of them for a peaceful and credible election.

Speaking on his expectations of journalists in the state, Dr. Longpet said:” so far you have done good work, but I want you to do more. When you walk of here, I want you to have a different perspective of how to do things”.

The REC while pointing out that the introduction of technology and the support of the media helped in stemming the tide of violence in the 2023 General Election, assured that the election results in the forthcoming November Governorship Election will be transmitted electronically to iRev and in real time.

The Kogi INEC REC attributed the lapses to transmitting the Presidential Election results to IREV and in real time to hitches from hackers and inability of some Adhoc Staff engaged by INEC in the conduct of the Governorship Election to understand the process.

Dr. Longpet who said he has enjoyed tremendous relationship with the media in Kogi State, urged the media to help in educating political parties on the dos and don’t in the forthcoming election.

Dr. Longpet said the law allows for political parties the rights to media space, cautioned against molestation that would shrink the media space. He expressed worries of report about shrinking the media space.

He urged the media to critically examine and bring the issues of the governorship election to the front burner.
The INEC REC lamented that election in the State had always had a negative perception, appealed to the media to help in changing the perception and narratives.

While assuring of a credible governorship election with the support of all stakeholders, the Kogi state REC called on political parties to educate their supporters on expectations, but cautioned against incitement and the use of foul language.

In his presentation virtually, Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Superintendent of Police (PPRO) William Ovye Aya said the Command is collaborating with other sister security agencies towards ensuring that the forthcoming November Governorship Election is violent free.

Mr. Aya expressed optimism that trouble makers who are bent on causing trouble during the election would be dealt with.

The Police image maker assured that with the collaboration among security agencies in the state,violence associated with election would be doused in the forthcoming November election.He disclosed that the Command had begun training and retraining of it officers towards ensuring that the State experience a violent free election, promised that no trouble maker will be spared.

He disclosed that the State would witness a heavy deployment of adequate security agencies aside from the Police, promised the neutrality of the Police.

The State Command, he explained ,would create a joint operation room made up of the Nigerian Army, NSCDC, Immigration, NDLEA, Correctional Service, FRSC who will be collating report geared towards dousing violence.

Mr. Aya cautioned against unprofessional media reporting from people engaged in citizens journalism but are involved in escalating fake news promised that the Police will collaborate with traditional media to counter fake news.

While pointing out that the Command appreciate it partnership with the Media in the State for their robust collaboration, promised protection for all the accredited Journalists that will cover the Kogi State Governorship Election.

In his intervention, Mr. Hamza Idris, Editor, Daily Trust charged practitioners in the State to ensure a peaceful and credible governorship election through professional and conflict sensitive reporting.

Mr. Idris urged Journalists in the state to understand and appreciate the complexities of Kogi State so as to change the negative perception of violent election associated with the State.

While pointing out that Practitioners should have an understanding of conflict and how they occur, said 70 percent of conflict are media escalated, cautioning Journalists against fanning embers of violence in the Kogi State election.

The Daily Trust editor who said the media can make or mar the Kogi State election, urged the media not to wait for negative report to happen, urged practitioners to be deliberate in peace building.

He urged practitioners to see their responsibility as one that should help the society, charged the media to be in the vanguard for peace and not violence.