Scrutinise politicians’ records before elections, Obi urges editors

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has called upon editors nationwide to thoroughly examine the backgrounds and past records of politicians vying for public office. This plea came during his address at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, held in Enugu State.

The conference, themed "The Ballot, The Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive," gathered editors to deliberate on the media's responsibility in bolstering Nigeria's democratic framework.

Obi emphasized that editors should leverage their societal influence to hold politicians accountable and demand superior performance from those seeking positions of power. He stated, "Editors must continue to scrutinise the qualifications and past records of those seeking public office, expose past wrongdoings and ensure that the Nigerian people have access to the information they need to make informed decisions."

Furthermore, Obi urged editors to delve into the histories of politicians and ensure that those in leadership positions embody the societal values they should uphold.

In his remarks, Obi reiterated his commitment to reinforcing the editors' role as guardians of democracy. He stressed the necessity for editors to utilize their privileged positions in society to hold politicians accountable, investigate their records, and demand excellence from all contenders vying for the esteemed title of Excellency.

The conference also served as an opportunity for Obi to engage with participants, listen to their perspectives on the state of democracy, and discuss the media's vital role in sustaining Nigeria's democratic processes.

Obi expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Guild of Editors for extending the invitation to the conference and wished the organizers a successful event. He concluded his address with an optimistic note, affirming that a new Nigeria is achievable and wishing Nigeria well.