“TIME’S UP: EXPERTS SOUND ALARM ON NIGERIAN GOVERNANCE AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS”AT SWEGOP ANNIVERSARY
GREATRIBUNTVNEWS–Nigerian governance is under scrutiny as experts chart a course for the 2027 elections at the South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) anniversary lecture. The event brought together journalists, academics, and industry leaders to discuss the nation’s political landscape and propose pathways for a more accountable and responsive future.
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Key Issues Highlighted
– Corruption and Maladministration: Experts identified corruption, embezzlement, and maladministration as major barriers to good governance in Nigeria.
– Election Manipulation: Election rigging, money politics, and the abuse of law were cited as significant impediments to Nigeria’s progress.
– Lack of Trust: There is a pervasive disappointment among Nigerian citizens regarding the state of governance, with a continuous decline over the past six decades.
– Capture of the State: The Nigerian state is seen as being “captured by the bourgeoisie,” making genuine governance, legitimacy, and leadership difficult to achieve.
Proposed Solutions
– Electoral Reform: Comprehensive electoral reforms, including electronic transmission of results, are proposed to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
– Citizen Participation: Increased citizen participation and transparency in government are vital, requiring extensive public engagement and information dissemination.
– Institutional Reform: Strengthening institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is critical to combat corruption and ensure accountability.
– Issue-Based Campaigns: Experts advocate for issue-based campaigns that focus on tangible solutions rather than empty promises, and the development of clear party ideologies among political parties .
Role of Online Publishers
– Watchdogs: Online publishers are urged to serve as watchdogs, holding government accountable while empowering citizens to engage actively in democratic processes.
– Promoting Media Literacy: They are also encouraged to prioritize timely and accurate news coverage, political education for voters, and amplifying diverse voices, including those of minority groups and opposition parties
Earlier in his welcome address, Pastor Bisi Oladele, President of the South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), outlined the guild’s mission to transform into a powerful professional association that innovates digital journalism in Southwest Nigeria. He emphasized SWEGOP’s commitment to promoting professionalism, self-regulating online news publishing, defending press freedom, and promoting good governance by holding the government accountable and educating citizens on their rights and obligations. Oladele highlighted the guild’s ethical charter and its dedication to empowering members through training. He explained that the choice of the lecture’s topic and guest lecturer was informed by the need to bridge the “wide gap” of distrust between Nigerian citizens and the government, seeking insights from a speaker with diverse experience in journalism, academia, law, and government.Adding to the discourse, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a media icon, underscored the crucial role of online publishers in information dissemination, especially given the limitations of traditional media. He urged online publishers to prioritize timely and accurate news coverage, political education for voters, and amplifying diverse voices, including those of minority groups and opposition parties. Dr. Farounbi stressed the responsibility of online publishers in combating misinformation through fact-checking and promoting media literacy. He called upon them to serve as watchdogs for accountability, investigating corruption and abuse of office while maintaining objectivity, neutrality, and impartiality. He also emphasized the importance of engaging youth through social media to foster greater participation in the democratic process and break the cycle of recycling the same political figures. Dr. Farounbi concluded by urging online publishers to track campaign promises, counter hate speech, and advocate for issue-based campaigns to promote peace and national unity.Mr. Awowole Brown, representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, conveyed the Dangote Group’s congratulations to SWEGOP on its 9th anniversary, acknowledging the valuable partnership between the conglomerate and the Guild of Online Publishers. He lauded the media’s resilience despite economic challenges, recognizing the significant contributions of journalists who often receive little in return. Brown affirmed the Dangote Group’s continued support for online media, acknowledging their growing influence despite being sometimes labeled as “internet infestations.”
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