Former Nigerian Bar Association President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has urged media organisations to seek judicial clarification on their constitutional right to obtain and disseminate election information, including the reporting of results.
Agbakoba, chairman of the 10th annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), made the call on Thursday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
He argued that while the Electoral Act empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce election results, Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information.
He challenged GOCOP and other media organisations to test the limits of these constitutional rights in court.
“Media will not be gagged. The Rule of Law won in the US case, so test it in Nigeria,” he said, referring to legal action by some American media organisations over access to the White House.
Agbakoba also cited exit polls and other election-related information as areas requiring clarity on the media’s role and the limits imposed by law.
Describing Nigerians as shareholders in “Nigeria PLC”, he likened the 2027 general elections to an annual general meeting at which citizens would assess the country’s performance and decide its future direction.
He predicted that economic hardship would be a major electoral issue, pointing to rising prices of essential medicines as an indication of the financial pressure on households.
Earlier, GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, said the conference theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities”, reflected the need for stronger democratic institutions and collective commitment to credible elections.
He charged journalists to hold both the government and opposition accountable through factual, fair and balanced reporting.
Nmodu also urged the government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, promote peace and support economic activities, noting that improved security would create better opportunities for Nigerians to work and invest.
In a goodwill message, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, urged journalists to remain objective and focused on facts in their coverage of the 2027 elections.
Emelumba also highlighted the state government’s plans to develop Imo into a digital and industrialised economy.
