RismadarVoice Reporters
November 12, 2026
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has announced plans to establish an election situation room to monitor developments during the 2027 general elections, pledging balanced, credible and non-partisan reporting.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John, disclosed the plan on Thursday during a multi-stakeholder peace forum organised by the Youth for Change and Social Life Development Foundation (YOFCI), with technical support from the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in Uyo.
The forum, themed “Peaceful Elections: Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration for Electoral Peace in 2027,” brought together stakeholders to discuss measures for preventing election-related violence and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking at the event, John said journalists in Akwa Ibom State would uphold professional ethics by providing accurate information and giving fair attention to issues affecting voters.
He explained that the proposed election situation room would be managed by media professionals to monitor electoral developments, verify information and facilitate timely public communication.
The NUJ chairman also encouraged eligible voters to participate actively in the elections rather than allowing fears of manipulation or assumptions about predetermined outcomes to discourage them.
He urged residents to exercise their voting rights peacefully and support candidates of their choice.
John reaffirmed the council’s readiness to collaborate with civil society organisations, electoral stakeholders and other relevant institutions to promote peaceful and credible elections.
Earlier, a speaker at the forum, Ekom Akpan, urged Nigerians to reject vote buying and electoral violence.
Akpan encouraged voters to assess candidates based on their policies, development proposals and previous records before making electoral decisions.
He also called on young people to resist political manipulation and contribute positively to peacebuilding efforts before, during and after the elections.
The engagement forms part of broader preparations to prevent election-related violence in the Niger Delta.
PIND has launched a regional initiative involving civil society partners in Akwa Ibom, Delta and Rivers states, focusing on early warning systems, community engagement and coordinated responses to emerging electoral threats.
The initiative is designed to strengthen cooperation among communities, security institutions, civil society organisations and the media.
Stakeholders at the Uyo forum emphasised the importance of responsible journalism, credible electoral information and peaceful political participation.
The proposed NUJ situation room is expected to support these objectives, although details of its operational structure and commencement date have yet to be announced.
