NGE DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM THE NATION OVER EDITORIAL ON EDITORS’ CONFERENCE

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has demanded an apology from The Nation newspaper’s Editorial Board over an editorial accusing journalists of failing journalism, arguing that the publication reached its conclusions without considering key facts surrounding the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) held in Enugu.

In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the Guild responded to the newspaper’s October 8 editorial titled “Journalists Failed Journalism,” which criticised the decision to allow Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and party chieftain Prof. Pat Utomi to address participants at the conference. The NGE maintained that providing a platform for political engagement did not amount to endorsing any party or candidate.

The Guild explained that the conference programme included an executive session designed to feature governors, political party chairmen, government officials and other stakeholders. It said it invited the chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and NDC, and followed up through reminders and personal engagements to encourage their participation. According to the NGE, the absence of some invitees should not be blamed on the Guild or used to justify excluding a candidate who was willing to attend.

The NGE also cited the participation of Tunde Rahman, media adviser to President Bola Tinubu; the representation of Information Minister Mohammed Idris by News Agency of Nigeria Managing Director Ali M. Ali; and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s virtual address from the United States. It rejected the editorial’s description of Obi’s appearance as an “ambush,” insisting that the conference provided a broader platform for engagement on democracy, elections, journalism, artificial intelligence and other national issues.

Reaffirming its commitment to accuracy, fairness, balance, objectivity, independence and accountability, the Guild argued that The Nation’s editorial failed to establish the full facts before reaching a sweeping conclusion. It maintained that facilitating dialogue among political actors was consistent with the principles of journalism and called on the newspaper’s Editorial Board to acknowledge the omissions and apologise to the Guild and its leadership.