The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, has cautioned journalists practising in Kogi State to be wary of political stage actors who will hide under the canopy of sentiments to mislead the public with unfounded allegations that can heat up the polity.
He said discerning journalists would be able to separate this set of politicians from genuine ones, adding that most of those in this category were pretenders and not contenders in the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in the state.
Isiguzo gave the warning while delivering his speech at the Grand Finale of the 2023 Press Week/Book Launch of the Kogi State NUJ, in Lokoja, on Wednesday.
According to him, it is partinent for Journalists to understand the constitutional responsibility of the media in ensuring accountability, transparency and good governance.
He urged newsmen in Kogi State not to promote primordial sentiments or heed to the whims and caprices of those he described as political stage actors.
“At this time, as Journalists, you will see all manners of political actors who are only actors on stage and when you see actors like that, their aim is not to contest but to mislead the public.
“We must not bend rules because somebody is your friend or from your area who wants to enthrone a system that will not continue to sustain the peace, unity and progress that the outgoing administration has put in place, especially in the areas of security and infrastructure development.
“We must ensure that in our reportage, we promote the culture and aspiration of the people of Kogi State by promoting issues that will pave the room for the development of the state. You should bear in mind that, at the end of the election, whoever emerges, will govern the entire state and not a section of the state,” he said.
The NUJ President, however, commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his effort and commitment towards the development of the state.
