ASABA — Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Senator Ede Dafinone; and the governor’s Chief Strategist, Dr Festus Goziem Okubor, have called for credible elections, responsible journalism and stronger institutional accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 Annual Conference and 7th Annual Lecture Series of the Delta Online Publishers Forum in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The conference, themed “Democracy Under Pressure: Electoral Integrity, Security Challenges and Media Accountability in Nigeria,” brought together political leaders, security officials, electoral authorities, journalists and other stakeholders to discuss challenges confronting Nigeria’s democratic process.
Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties (Government House), Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, urged journalists and online publishers to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and professional integrity.
He warned that misinformation and hate speech could erode public trust, threaten democratic stability and heighten political tensions.
The governor stressed that credible elections, accountable institutions and responsible communication were essential to strengthening democracy.
Speaking on the topic, “Democracy Under Pressure: When the Ballot, the Bullet and the Phone Compete for Power!”, Okubor said electoral technology alone could not guarantee credible elections.
He argued that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal required transparency, integrity and public confidence to achieve their objectives.
Okubor identified insecurity and its impact on voter participation as major challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also raised concerns about the growing influence of social media and artificial intelligence-generated content in shaping political narratives, calling for rigorous fact-checking and responsible digital communication.
The guest lecturer, Professor Dode Robert Oghenedoro, of Dennis Osadebay University, called for independent electoral institutions, impartial security operations and a professional media capable of holding public officials accountable.
Oghenedoro, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the university, also stressed the need to protect journalists and ensure that voters could participate in elections without intimidation.
The DOPF Chairman, Emmanuel Enebeli, urged online publishers to verify information before publication, maintain editorial independence and take responsibility for the content they disseminate.
He said the credibility of digital journalism depended on accuracy, fairness and public trust, particularly during politically sensitive periods when unverified reports could mislead citizens and inflame tensions.
In his goodwill message, Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, described the media as a critical pillar of democracy.
He urged journalists to promote accountability, counter misinformation and uphold truth and fairness, while commending DOPF for providing a platform for discussions on governance and democratic development.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, represented by SP Aliyu Mairiga, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting voters and securing elections.
Mairiga said the police were strengthening intelligence-led, technology-driven and community-centred policing to tackle kidnapping, cultism, farmer-herder conflicts and cybercrime.
He urged political stakeholders to shun violence and called for cooperation among security agencies, political actors, journalists and citizens to ensure peaceful elections.
Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta State, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, represented by INEC’s Director and Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr Davis Elolred, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting elections in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Act.
He described electoral security as a shared responsibility and highlighted the importance of transparency, voter education, inclusivity and public confidence in the electoral process.
The Delta State Government’s Executive Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Olisa Ifeajika, urged political actors to prioritise national interest and peaceful coexistence.
He warned that misinformation and the manipulation of public opinion could threaten national security and democratic stability, urging journalists to deepen their understanding of the Constitution and Electoral Act.
The panel session featured Dr Patrick Edema, who discussed media accountability; Dr Norbert Chiazor, who examined credible elections, voter apathy, insecurity and the media’s responsibilities; CSP Gladys Enoho Imegu, who addressed police professionalism and stakeholder cooperation; and legal practitioner Godswill Umahi, who advocated electoral reforms, stronger institutional independence, campaign-finance regulation and digital literacy.
The conference attracted representatives of the Delta State Police Command, INEC, the state government, political institutions and media organisations.
The speakers agreed that technology and security operations alone could not guarantee credible elections, stressing the need for political parties, candidates, public institutions, journalists and citizens to work together to reject violence, combat misinformation and protect the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
