THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has demanded an apology from The Nation newspaper over an editorial accusing the union of “failing journalism” at the guild’s conference in Enugu.
News Point Nigeria reports that the guild, in a statement issued on Thursday, rejected the newspaper’s characterisation of the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), arguing that the editorial, titled “Journalists Failed Journalism”, fell short of professional standards because it reached a conclusion about the event without establishing what it described as the full facts surrounding the conference.
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The Nation’s editorial had criticised the NGE over the participation of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the party, at the conference.
The newspaper questioned why Obi, one of several presidential aspirants, was allowed to address editors when other candidates were not similarly represented. It argued that his appearance could create the impression that the guild was aligned with a political party, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.
The editorial also claimed that the appearance of Obi and Utomi was not listed in the programme, describing their participation as an “ambush”.
It further argued that allowing Obi to speak amounted to providing him with a campaign platform and criticised the conduct of some attendees who, according to the newspaper, “booed and shouted down” some journalists who posed questions to the presidential candidate.
The Nation described the event as an example of when “top journalists failed journalism” and said the NGE had not publicly explained or apologised for what it considered an inappropriate decision.
However, in the statement signed by Eze Anaba, NGE president, and Onuoha Ukeh, general secretary, the guild rejected the newspaper’s assessment and demanded an apology from its editorial board.
The NGE explained that the conference was designed as a professional forum for editors and stakeholders to discuss a range of issues, including democracy, elections, journalism, artificial intelligence (AI), disinformation and the future of Nigeria.
It said the programme provided for an “executive session” on the second day, involving governors, political party chairmen, heads of government agencies and other stakeholders in the political and public space.
The guild maintained that Obi’s participation should be viewed within the broader context of the conference rather than as evidence that it endorsed the NDC or any political candidate.
To support its position, the NGE said it had invited representatives of major political parties, including Nentawe Yelwatda, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); David Mark, chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, chairman of the NDC.
According to the guild, the invitations were followed up with reminders and personal engagements by its leadership to secure broader participation.
The NGE disclosed that Anaba spoke with Yelwatda and Chibuike Amaechi, ADC vice-presidential candidate, about participating in the conference.
It added that Ukeh also followed up with Paul Ibe, media aide to Atiku Abubakar, ADC presidential candidate, to encourage the participation of the party and its leaders.
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Against this background, the guild questioned why it should be blamed when invited political parties or their representatives failed to attend.
The NGE argued that it would have been inappropriate to prevent a political candidate who was available and willing to participate simply because other invited candidates or parties chose not to attend.
The guild also pointed to the participation of government officials and representatives at the conference as evidence of its broader engagement with political and public institutions.
It said Tunde Rahman, senior media assistant to President Bola Tinubu, addressed the editors on the administration, while Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, was represented by Ali M. Ali, managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The NGE added that Vice-President Kashim Shettima addressed the conference virtually from the United States.
According to the guild, the participation of the various political and government representatives demonstrated that the conference was intended as a broad platform for engagement rather than one designed to favour a particular party or candidate.
Consequently, the NGE rejected The Nation’s description of Obi’s appearance as an “ambush”, insisting that he attended an open professional gathering involving editors, journalists and other stakeholders.
The guild maintained that providing a platform for political engagement was different from endorsing a political position.
It also took exception to the editorial’s reference to an “impunity of silence”, describing the characterisation as unfortunate.
In a strong response to the newspaper, the NGE declared: “It is The Nation Newspaper’s Editorial Board that failed journalism.”
The guild accused the editorial board of reaching “a sweeping conclusion without establishing the full facts” concerning the invitations extended to political parties and the efforts made by the NGE to secure their participation.
Reaffirming its commitment to accuracy, fairness, balance, objectivity, independence and accountability, the guild described these principles as cardinal to the practice of journalism.
It said it would continue to provide platforms for engagement among political actors, public officials, civil society organisations, electoral institutions and other stakeholders “without fear or favour”.
“That is not partisanship. That is journalism,” the guild said.
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The NGE subsequently called on The Nation’s editorial board to acknowledge what it described as omissions in the editorial and apologise to the guild and its leadership.
“Now that the facts have been placed on record, the NGE expects The Nation newspaper’s Editorial Board, made up of responsible members of Nigeria’s media community, to acknowledge the omissions in its editorial and offer an apology to the guild and its leadership,” the guild said.