The International Press Centre (IPC) has launched a comprehensive report titled “Rebuilding Trust in Nigeria’s Electoral Process, Electoral Institutions and Elections”, a product of two years of nationwide consultations aimed at strengthening democracy and restoring public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
The report was unveiled in Abuja under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) project, where IPC leads the implementation of Component 4: Support to Media.
Drawn from media-led dialogues held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones between 2023 and 2025, the report offers practical recommendations from journalists, electoral officials, civil society organisations, political leaders, and security agencies on enhancing transparency and accountability in elections.
Speaking at the presentation, IPC Programme Manager, Stella Nwofia, described the launch as “an occasion marked by both reflection and resolve,” emphasizing that rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s elections must be a shared responsibility.
“The media serves as both a mirror and a mediator — reflecting public sentiment while shaping peace,” Nwofia said. “Trust in electoral institutions depends on the quality, consistency, and credibility of information shared before, during, and after elections.”
She acknowledged the progress made through electoral technology and civic engagement but stressed that deep-seated perception challenges remain around the transparency of key institutions.
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IPC, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to foster more inclusive, ethical, and gender-sensitive election reporting.
“This partnership is about setting new standards for professionalism and fairness in political coverage,” Nwofia added.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Okey Ibeanu, a political scientist and governance expert, said:
“Trust is the currency of democracy. No electoral system can function without public confidence in those who manage it — from INEC to the judiciary, the legislature, and the media.”
He urged for greater civic engagement and institutional accountability, warning that democratic legitimacy depends on the credibility of the electoral process.
In a goodwill message, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the IPC initiative as “a vital act of resistance” against the erosion of democratic accountability.
“Our elections have become a marketplace where votes are traded and the will of the people subverted,” Ajaero said. “The media must stand as the moral compass — not as a tool for legitimizing falsehood.”
He reaffirmed the NLC’s readiness to work with credible institutions to defend democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The IPC report and its new media partnerships are expected to guide stakeholders — including INEC, journalists, and civic groups — in advancing electoral reforms, strengthening institutional credibility, and rebuilding citizens’ trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
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