The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have reaffirmed their commitment to real-time monitoring of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election through the Anambra Election Observation Hub, aimed at safeguarding journalists, verifying electoral information, and promoting transparent and credible polling.
With over 2.8 million registered voters expected to vote across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas on November 8, 2025, the organisations said their intervention is crucial to ensuring media freedom and integrity during the election. Supported by the European Union under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU–SDGN) Programme Phase II, the Hub will enhance collaboration between media, civil society, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the build-up to the polls, IPC and CEMESO have featured on several radio and television programmes, urging INEC and security agencies to strengthen protections for journalists. They stressed that journalists’ safety, operational freedom, and access to information are critical to credible and independent election reporting.
The Hub will host press briefings, coordinate field monitoring, conduct live media assessments, and track safety risks faced by journalists. It will also fact-check electoral information to counter misinformation and provide real-time analysis via broadcast platforms. A rapid response mechanism has been designed to quickly identify and address incidents such as threats to journalists, voter suppression, and disinformation.
Pre-election analysis conducted from June 2024 to October 2025 had revealed that 18 journalists were detained by vigilante operatives in Nnewi during the August 16 Anambra South senatorial by-election, with other cases of assault and misinformation recorded in Aguata, Ihiala, and Orumba South. These findings, the groups said, highlight the urgency of creating a safe reporting environment.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, said the election faces both traditional and digital threats, including targeted misinformation campaigns. “Through the IPC Safety and Projection of Journalists (SPJ) and Election Observation Hub, we are using real-time risk analytics to map threat hotspots, verify information, and protect both reporters and the integrity of the information ecosystem,” he said, announcing helplines 08132776441 and 07069451562.
Similarly, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, said the Hub’s data-driven observation would strengthen media accountability and ensure voters access trustworthy information through platforms like Halt Fake and the Nigerian Democratic Report.
Both organisations have also produced resource guides for journalists, including Broadcast Media Coverage of Elections-Related Politics in Nigeria, Guidelines on Fact-Checking Electoral Misinformation and Disinformation, and the Media Guidelines for Disability-Inclusive Coverage of Elections in Nigeria.
The Anambra Election Observation Hub is a coalition under the EU-SDGN II Programme, involving Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, ElectHER, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and TAF Africa. The EU-SDGN II initiative supports INEC, civil society, and the media to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure inclusive, credible elections.
