By David Adeoye
#TrackNigeria: The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it will partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure effective coverage of the forthcoming general elections in the state.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Adewumi Faniran, stated this on Tuesday when the leadership of the union paid a courtesy visit to the management of INEC at the state headquarters of the commission in Ibadan.
He said the purpose of the visit was to interface with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Mutiu Agboke, on areas of collaboration for a successful coverage of the general elections.
Faniran sought for the assistance of the commission on logistics and security of members of the union that would be in the field for the coverage of the election.
”The lives of our members are very, very important to us and their safety during the elections is also vital.
”As a union, we want to coordinate everything that has to do with the coverage of the forthcoming general elections with the support of INEC.
”We want to be involved in the accreditation and authorisation of those who will go to the field for coverage and monitor their movement to avoid impersonation or quacks taking over the affairs of our genuine members,’’ he said.
He said every journalist in the state was ready to report the elections objectively.
The chairman said all stakeholders in the elections processes had civic responsibility to work for the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
In his response, Agboke thanked the union for its readiness to partner with the commission for effective coverage of the elections.
He further commended the leadership of the NUJ for its decision to regulate the activities of its members during the elections.
He promised to carry the union along in all INEC activities toward successful general elections. With reports by (NAN)
