By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has cautioned its members against attending press briefings or official engagements at undesignated or unofficial centres as the political tempo builds up towards the 2027 general elections.
This warning formed part of the key resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s monthly congress held on Saturday at the Abib Olamitoye Hall of the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The congress, which was presided over by the State Chairman, Mr. Akeem Abas, featured extensive deliberations centered on the state of the nation, the prevailing media landscape, and the safety and general welfare of media practitioners in the state.
Addressing the security and professional conduct of journalists ahead of the electoral cycle, the congress strongly urged members to maintain a high level of security consciousness before, during, and after the 2027 polls.
While emphasizing the constitutional role of the press, the union admonished journalists in the state to remain strictly professional, objective, and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.
The congress also turned its attention to political actors and stakeholders, appealing to politicians and gladiators to embrace clean, issue-based campaigns entirely devoid of blackmail, character assassination, and cyberbullying.
In a bid to safeguard the physical safety of media workers as electioneering activities gather momentum, political parties and actors were urged to utilize the NUJ Press Centre for all official media briefings and press conferences.
Expressing deep concern over the growing volume of fake news, misinformation, and unverified content proliferating across various social media platforms, the union called for the effective enforcement of existing cyber laws. According to the congress, strict legal enforcement remains crucial to curbing the dissemination of false information capable of inciting public panic, social unrest, and security breaches.
On security and welfare, the union charged security agencies to map out robust and proactive operational strategies to address public safety concerns throughout the electioneering and election periods.
Furthermore, the congress strongly advised proprietors of media organizations to provide comprehensive insurance covers for all journalists deployed to cover political campaigns and elections, noting that this is vital to guaranteeing their safety and peace of mind.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the members of the Drafting Committee—Comrade Segunfunmi Oyedokun, Comrade Olawale Asake, and Comrade Aminat Busari-Adeleke—alongside the Secretary of the NUJ Oyo State Council, Temidayo Adu.
