Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has cautioned Nigerian editors against the dangers of sensational and divisive reporting, saying such practices could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, November 12, Uzodimma said that the media’s power to shape public opinion carries an ethical responsibility that must be exercised with care.
“The pen is mightier than the sword,” he said, quoting English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton. “But if your pen becomes careless, it can destroy trust and weaken democracy.”
Uzodimma said editors must not underestimate their influence over national cohesion and public faith in the electoral system.
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“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect,” he said.
He described the 2023 elections as a missed opportunity for the media to demonstrate responsibility, lamenting what he called “a decline in ethical journalism” and “a rise in divisive narratives.”
He added, “If your newsrooms allow misinformation, rumour, and tribalism to masquerade as journalism, electoral integrity is already compromised even before a single vote is cast.”
The governor urged media leaders to see their work as a tool for national renewal, not conflict. “I am not asking you to be propagandists for the state,” he said. “I am asking you to be custodians of information integrity.”