2027: Makinde urges journalists to uphold professionalism, shun political bias
By Adejayan Gbenga
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged journalists across the country to uphold truth, fairness and professionalism in their reportage ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against misinformation, disinformation and political manipulation.
Makinde made the call in Ibadan during the closing ceremony of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council. He was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The governor, who is also the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), congratulated the union on its Diamond Jubilee, describing the milestone as a celebration of six decades of contributions to democratic governance, public enlightenment and nation-building.
He urged journalists to remain committed to professional ethics, irrespective of political interests or the personalities involved in the forthcoming elections. According to him, the credibility of the media must endure beyond individual politicians and governments.
“Elections come and go. Politicians come and go. Governments come and go. But institutions endure. The credibility of the media must outlive every political contest. Your allegiance must always be to the truth, the public interest and the ethics of your profession,” he said.
Makinde also advised media practitioners to give all stakeholders a fair hearing, verify information before publication and avoid reports capable of deepening divisions in society. He stressed that responsible journalism should inform and educate the public rather than inflame tensions or promote division.
The governor noted that misinformation and disinformation posed growing threats to public trust and democratic institutions. He recalled the contributions of generations of journalists to Nigeria’s democratic development and commended the NUJ’s founding members, past and present leaders, and practitioners who had made sacrifices in defence of press freedom.
Speaking on his administration’s record, Makinde said Oyo State was recently ranked as Nigeria’s most democratic state in the 2025 Democracy Performance Index released by the Kimpact Development Initiative and published by StatiSense. He attributed the recognition to his government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, inclusion and citizen engagement, while urging journalists to strengthen professional standards and public confidence in the media ahead of the 2027 elections.
