By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
With weeks to the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has warned that the credibility of the polls will depend largely on how information is managed before, during and after election day.
Speaking at the INEC Forum for Media Executives, Producers, Reporters and Online Personalities, held Tuesday at Novare Mall, Wuse, in Abuja on Tuesday, Ike declared that elections are no longer decided only at polling units, but also in the information space, where misinformation, fake news and reckless reporting now pose grave threats to democracy.
“Elections are not won only at polling units. They are also won and lost in the information space,” she said.
The NUJ Chairman warned that the speed at which information spreads in today’s digital environment has made elections more vulnerable to manipulation, stressing that unverified reports and misleading narratives could poison public perception and undermine public trust.
“In today’s Nigeria, misinformation spreads faster than facts. If left unchecked, it can damage institutions, erode confidence in the electoral process and threaten the peace we all desire,” Ike stated.
She said journalists must recognise that they are not mere observers of the electoral process but active stakeholders with a duty to safeguard democracy.
“We are the bridge between institutions and the people. Citizens depend on us for accurate, balanced and timely information,” she added.
Comrade Ike issued a strong appeal to journalists and media organisations to resist the pressure of speed and traffic, insisting that accuracy must always come before sensationalism.
“Breaking news is good, but breaking society is dangerous. Let us verify before we publish. Truth must never be traded for traffic,” she warned.
She called for strict adherence to professional ethics, saying credibility remains the most powerful asset of the media.
The NUJ Chairman also drew a red line against hate speech, incitement and divisive narratives, stressing that the FCT belongs to all Nigerians regardless of political, ethnic or religious affiliation.
“Our platforms must not become weapons in the hands of desperate politicians. Reports must heal, not inflame. We must refuse to be tools for division,” she said.
According to her, democracy suffers when the media is captured or compromised, noting that fairness, balance and equal access for all political actors are non-negotiable.
NUJ Demands Safety of Journalists
Raising concern over the safety of journalists, Ike said the NUJ would not tolerate harassment, intimidation or assault of reporters covering the elections.
“No journalist should be treated as an enemy for doing their job. There must be no harassment, no threats, no denial of access before, during or after the election,” she said.
She called on all stakeholders to respect journalists and ensure the safety of media personnel and their equipment throughout the election period.
Comrade Ike warned that poor communication during election periods creates fertile ground for rumours and fake news.
“In an election season, silence creates a vacuum, and that vacuum empowers misinformation,” she said.
She urged institutions involved in the electoral process to maintain clear, timely and transparent communication to help journalists verify information and counter false narratives.
As the countdown to February 21 continues, the NUJ Chairman said the 2026 FCT Area Council elections must be remembered for credibility, transparency and peace.
She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to professional election coverage while vowing that the NUJ would continue to defend press freedom and hold institutions accountable to the Nigerian people.
“We must all play our roles responsibly. The credibility of this election depends on it,” Ike said.
