Obi Calls on Editors to Vet Politicians' Backgrounds Ahead of Elections

Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has implored media editors nationwide to thoroughly examine the credentials and historical conduct of individuals vying for political positions. This appeal was conveyed by Obi via a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, coming after his attendance at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference, hosted by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu State on Friday.

The conference, themed “The Ballot, The Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” served as a forum for editors to deliberate on the critical role of the media in bolstering Nigeria’s democratic processes. Obi emphasized that editors, given their influential standing in society, should leverage this position to ensure politicians are held responsible and to insist on high standards from aspiring public servants.

He stated, “Editors must continue to scrutinise the qualifications and past records of those seeking public office, expose past wrongdoings and ensure that the Nigerian people have access to the information they need to make informed decisions.” The ex-Anambra State governor further implored editors to delve into the backgrounds of political figures and ascertain that individuals in leadership roles embody the societal values they are expected to uphold.

He reiterated, “In my remarks, I called on our editors to continue to reinforce their role as bulwarks protecting our democracy. I also emphasised the need for editors to use their privileged position in society to hold us politicians accountable, investigate our records and demand excellence from all of us contesting to become Excellencies.”

Furthermore, Obi mentioned that the conference offered him a chance to engage with attendees through a question-and-answer segment, allowing him to hear their perspectives on the nation's democratic health and the media's contribution. He extended his gratitude to the Nigerian Guild of Editors for the invitation and conveyed his best wishes for a successful event to the organisers. His closing remarks were, “A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO.”