Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has stressed that the legitimacy of elections hinges on voters’ confidence in the process, noting that elections are won when citizens trust the outcome.
Uzodimma made the remarks on Wednesday at the 2025 All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja, urging journalists, particularly editors, to uphold professional ethics and promote national unity through their work.
“The reality heading into 2027 is that elections are won and lost not only on policies or candidates but on whether voters believe the outcome will be legitimate,” Uzodimma said. “That belief is shaped by whether they have been hearing fragmented, tribal narratives or cohesive, nation-building ones. And that is an editorial choice you make daily.”
The governor, who also chairs the All Progressives Governors’ Forum, commended Nigerian editors for their role in national development, highlighting their contributions to strengthening democracy through investigative reporting and public accountability.
“You have published reports that held power accountable. Through your coverage, you have amplified marginalised voices,” he said. “These contributions matter, and they are essential to democracy. But what is often missing is journalism that actively builds cohesion, not just reports on its absence.”
He challenged media professionals to make editorial decisions that foster national unity. “You report on ethnic tension, regional disparities, and religious conflict — as you should. But how often do your editorial choices highlight what binds us rather than what divides us?”
Uzodimma emphasized that promoting unity does not undermine the media’s watchdog role.
“You can hold the government accountable and avoid framing every accountability story as evidence of irredeemable dysfunction. You can report electoral irregularities without suggesting that the entire system is corrupt. You can cover political competition and remind citizens that competitors will govern the same country afterwards,” he said.
He urged editors to act as catalysts for national cohesion as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has stressed that the legitimacy of elections hinges on voters’ confidence in the process, noting that elections are won when citizens trust the outcome.
Uzodimma made the remarks on Wednesday at the 2025 All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja, urging journalists, particularly editors, to uphold professional ethics and promote national unity through their work.
“The reality heading into 2027 is that elections are won and lost not only on policies or candidates but on whether voters believe the outcome will be legitimate,” Uzodimma said. “That belief is shaped by whether they have been hearing fragmented, tribal narratives or cohesive, nation-building ones. And that is an editorial choice you make daily.”
The governor, who also chairs the All Progressives Governors’ Forum, commended Nigerian editors for their role in national development, highlighting their contributions to strengthening democracy through investigative reporting and public accountability.
“You have published reports that held power accountable. Through your coverage, you have amplified marginalised voices,” he said. “These contributions matter, and they are essential to democracy. But what is often missing is journalism that actively builds cohesion, not just reports on its absence.”
He challenged media professionals to make editorial decisions that foster national unity. “You report on ethnic tension, regional disparities, and religious conflict — as you should. But how often do your editorial choices highlight what binds us rather than what divides us?”
Uzodimma emphasized that promoting unity does not undermine the media’s watchdog role.
“You can hold the government accountable and avoid framing every accountability story as evidence of irredeemable dysfunction. You can report electoral irregularities without suggesting that the entire system is corrupt. You can cover political competition and remind citizens that competitors will govern the same country afterwards,” he said.
He urged editors to act as catalysts for national cohesion as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
