REC urges media to drive voter registration ahead of 2027
By Ernest Udoh-Robert
As Nigeria intensifies efforts to strengthen its electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, has sounded an alarm over the lack of internal democracy within the country’s political parties.
Prof. Onuoha made this disclosure on Thursday, June 11, 2026, while speaking at an event marking the first anniversary of Orange Newspaper, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Uyo.
Expressing deep concern over voter apathy in Akwa Ibom, the REC described the current registration turnout as critically low. He urged the media to ramp up public sensitization, noting that the 164,000 registrants recorded across the first two phases are insufficient given the state’s population and number of local government areas.
“In Udung Uko yesterday, not a single person registered, and in Nsit Ubium, only one person showed up,” the Commissioner lamented. “I am not happy.”
To restore public trust and boost participation, Prof. Onuoha argued that the electioneering process must be transparent and characterized by robust citizen engagement.
He also challenged the objectivity of the media, alleging that over 70 per cent of journalists are “politicised,” which hampers their ability to report neutrally.
Responding to the allegation, panelist and former NUJ State Chairman, Mr. Patrick Albert, pushed back against the generalization. While acknowledging that some journalists may hold political interests, he maintained that the profession remains largely objective.
He urged INEC to foster closer collaboration with the media to effectively drive public participation in future elections.
The anniversary event, themed ‘The Print Media, Security, and Citizens’ Engagement in the 2027 Polls”, was chaired by Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok, Clerk of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
The keynote was delivered by Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, with the event convened by Harrison Ndifreke, Chairman of the Orange Newspaper Editorial Board.
