By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has said that the high level of insecurity, insurgency and kidnappings across the country, which create atmosphere of fear and apprehension, cannot guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
The Editors, in a communiqué, issued at the end of their 10th annual meeting in Katsina state, noted that they have a great role to play in promoting national discourse towards strengthening national unity, peace, harmony as well as political, social, economic growth and prosperity.
The communique which was jointly signed by the President of the Guild, Femi Adesina and the General Secretary, Isaac Ighure noted that the high level of insecurity, insurgency and kidnappings across the country which create atmosphere of fear and apprehension, cannot guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
“To strengthen the nation’s democracy and instill good governance, the current state of insecurity must be addressed with a view to creating conducive environment for development.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission should be adequately funded, to enable the commission conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond”.
The communiqué charged the Editors “to continue to promote free and fair elections, which are key to the promotion and sustenance of democratic culture in the society through vigorous dissemination of information to the citizens and called on politicians to shun hate speech, unguarded utterances, name calling, and other anti-social behaviors while using the media to canvass for public support.
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