INEC Pledges Openness, Seeks Stronger Collaboration with Media

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deepened its engagement with key stakeholders through a series of strategic consultative meetings that began on Tuesday 14th October 2025.

Earlier today, the Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, held a strategic consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

In the same vein, the Acting Chairman later met with media executives during the Commission’s Third Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the Media, also held at the INEC Conference Room.

The meeting provided an opportunity to brief the press on the Commission’s preparations for the upcoming elections and to reinforce the vital role of the media in promoting credible elections.”

In her address to the media, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu provided updates on the Commission’s preparations for the Anambra election, particularly regarding the accreditation process for journalists.

“The Commission’s Media Accreditation Portal for the Anambra State Governorship Election was opened on 1st September, 2025, and as of this morning, we have received applications from 43 media organizations seeking accreditation for 363 personnel,” she disclosed.

She issued a strong reminder that the accreditation portal will close at midnight on 24th October 2025, and no extension will be granted. She urged media houses to complete their applications promptly.

The Acting Chairman also emphasized the importance of professionalism and responsible reporting throughout the electoral period.

“Media accreditation tags issued by the Commission come equipped with a security code that can be scanned by security agencies and other stakeholders to verify accreditation status. This is part of our broader security and transparency framework,” she said.

She urged accredited journalists to act as credible sources of information and a defense against the spread of fake news, stating that INEC’s doors remain open for verification and clarification.

“You have a critical role to play in protecting the integrity of this election through accurate, fair, and responsible reporting,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the media, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhasan Yahya Abdul, commended the Commission for its consistent engagement with the press.

“This meeting reaffirms the Commission’s recognition of the media as a crucial partner in the democratic process. We are not just observers — we are facilitators of credible, peaceful, and transparent elections,” he stated.

Comrade Abdul also called for enhanced collaboration in areas such as fact-checking, capacity building for election coverage, and timely access to electoral information.

“INEC’s reforms must be effectively communicated to the public. That responsibility largely rests with the media,” he said