INEC Sues for Professionalism in Anambra Election Reporting as Accreditation Deadline Approaches
The acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, has called upon all accredited individuals and media houses covering the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election to execute their duties with the “utmost professionalism and sense of responsibility.”
Speaking at the third quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja on Wednesday, Agbamuche-Mbu stressed the media’s critical role as a “bulwark against fake and misleading information” throughout the electoral cycle.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu provided an update on the Commission’s Media Accreditation Portal, which opened on September 1, 2025.
She announced that as of October 15, INEC has received 43 applications from media organisations, seeking accreditation for a total of 363 personnel.
The acting INEC boss delivered a firm message regarding the deadline, stating: “I must stress that there shall be no extension of this deadline.” She formally reminded the media that the portal will close at midnight on October 24, 2025, and strongly urged all applicants to complete their accreditation process well in advance.
She also highlighted that the media accreditation tags are a vital security and transparency measure, as they are equipped with a scannable security code to immediately confirm the holder’s accredited status.
In his own address, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, emphasized the need for INEC to effectively communicate its efforts and reforms regarding electoral administration, technology, inclusivity, and transparency to the public.
Yahaya underscored the importance of the media in building public confidence, noting: “It is through our reports, analyses and engagements that citizens develop trust and understanding of the system.”
He called for deepened collaboration between INEC and the media, recommending that they work together to enhance capacity building for journalists, strengthen fact-checking to combat misinformation, and ensure timely access to information from the Commission ahead of future elections.
