By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria — A groundbreaking insider account capturing the experiences, challenges, and contributions of Nigeria’s election correspondents will be officially unveiled on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Abuja.
The publication, titled “The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists,” is authored by veteran media consultant and Chairman of the INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu. The book provides a rare frontline perspective on Nigeria’s electoral process, shifting attention from political actors to the journalists who document and safeguard the integrity of elections.
The launch event will be held at The Electoral Institute, the training and research arm of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Coming shortly after the Anambra State Governorship Election and ahead of a crucial year in Nigeria’s electoral calendar, the book’s release is considered timely. Nigeria is gearing up for the FCT Area Council Elections on February 21, 2026, followed by off-cycle governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun States later in the year.
Ojumu’s work spotlights the essential—yet often overlooked—role of election correspondents who serve as the vital bridge between INEC, political parties, and the electorate.
Explaining the motivation behind the publication, Ojumu said:
“This book is a necessary shift in focus. For too long, the spotlight has been on the umpire and the politicians. This work finally tells the story of the frontline correspondents—those who ensure electoral outcomes remain transparent and verifiable, often at great personal risk.”
Structured around the themes of ensuring transparency and building public trust, the book emphasizes how robust media reporting acts as a safeguard against electoral malpractice and misinformation.
“The core of our democracy is trust,” Ojumu added. “Our work as journalists is fundamental to legitimizing election results. Unbiased media presence is the public’s primary tool for filtering misinformation and strengthening confidence in the ballot box. This book serves as a roadmap for a more accountable electoral future for Nigeria.”
The launch is expected to attract a distinguished audience of democratic stakeholders, including:
Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Anthony Orianran, Secretary to the Commission
INEC National Commissioners
Aminu Idris, FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner
Also expected are political and civil society leaders such as:
Yusuf Dantalle, Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)
Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Secretary, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN)
Jake Epelle, Founder, TAF Africa
Dickson Akoh, National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria
Isah Ismaila, Special Adviser on Media to the Kogi State Governor
The new publication is positioned as a key reference material for academics, political leaders, journalists, and democracy advocates seeking deeper insight into the complexities and significance of election reporting across West Africa.
E-SIGNED
Segun Ojumu
Author
