Politics
Fake News, Misinformation Threaten Credible Polls – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again decried the rising cases of fake news and misinformation.
The electoral umpire ‘opened the book of lamentation’ on Monday at a two-day capacity-building workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
Ahead of the November 11 governorship in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States, INEC declared that fake news was capable of having a negative impact on the management of elections and thus should be done away with.
National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, stated the umpire’s position at the workshop themed, “Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Governorship Elections”.
The workshop held with sponsorship considerations from a not-for-profit organisation, the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI).
Prof Ayai maintained that the INEC’s stance against hate speech and misinformation stems from its experience from previous elections, especially the 2023 general elections.
He said, “I would like at this juncture, to draw the attention of the media to a crucial issue that poses a serious threat to the election process in Nigeria. That is the issue of fake news.
“The Commission’s distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 General Elections has shown that, if not nipped in the bud, fake news can become the bane of election management in Nigeria.
“The alarming prevalence of misinformation, ‘fake news’, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the Commission.”
According to the National Commissioner, elections-related disinformation has become a major strategy in the hands of nefarious individuals and groups within Nigeria’s political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.
He highlighted that “Disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as ours, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
“Election-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.”
Team Lead, DAI, Rudolf Elbling described the media as an essential part of any democracy, adding that a democratic election without the media is impossible, because they are the crucial watchdog to democratic elections, safeguarding the transparency of the process.
Elbling stated, “Election without the media is not complete. The reportage of the media must be correct and factual. Free media is the oxygen for democracy. Journalists must maintain a high level of professionalism.”
The Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) has thrust upon Nigeria’s political scene the youngest candidate for the office of Senator of the Federal Republic in the person of Kevin Eneojo Akoje, who aspires to represent Kogi East Senatorial District.
Akoje is a Brand Engagement Consultant, Public Speaker, Security Commentator, Social analyst and a serial Media Entrepreneur.
He is the CEO of PhotoBar Nigeria a New Media/Multimedia content service provider (www.photosbarng.com)
A native Igala from Ibaji Local Government Area in Kogi State was born on 2nd December, 1983 in Kaduna.
He attended Federal Government College, Jos (1994-1999) for his secondary education before heading to Study Political Science at the University of Abuja (2000-2004).
During his undergraduate days, he rose to various positions in the Executive committees of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students, University Choir and also in the Student Union Government 2003 (as a representative).
These formative years held his new enlightenment into martial arts.
He went on in 2008 to pursue a post graduate Masters’ degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Nigeria’s premier military institution, the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna.
He has since completed several courses which include:
- Training and proficiency in Alternative Dispute Resolution-Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration and Hybrid processes: Abuja, Nigeria (2006)
- Effective Risk Management and Corporate Governance Practice: West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Lagos, Nigeria (October 7, 2013 – October 11, 2013).
- Centre De Langue Francaise: Ministry of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria (2005)
- UNITAR E-Learning Course on Introduction to Environment, Natural Resources and UN Peace Keeping Operations – March 2014
- UNITAR E-Learning Course on Introduction to Security Sector Reform – March 2014
Corporate Background
Upon graduation from University of Abuja Kevin Went on to work as follows:
- Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria: Workshop Assistant 2005
- Legal Defense and Assistance Project (UNODC) research on the Justice Sector as the Field Research Supervisor for Kaduna State
- Zenith Bank Plc.
Political Career
Armed with an undergraduate degree in Political Science, an MSC in Defence and Strategic Studies it was only natural that he sought to put to action all the theories learnt.
This led him to vie for the Student Union Government position of representative for Units 7,8 & 9 in the 2003 Unibuja SUG elections which he won in a landslide victory over two other candidates.
Being a member of the Justice Development and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church he and many other persons volunteered as Election Observers for General Elections of 2015 & 2019 where in both cases he was assigned to PU 06/002, Igabi Local Government, Kaduna.
His compulsory National Youth Service Corp Deployment to Ogun State saw him serve Nigeria in the Bills Department of the Ogun State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Titi Oseni in 2005.
Upon resignation of his duties in the corporate sector in 2016- after 9 years of service, Kevin was introduced to a team of Technocrats by Dr. Jay Osi Samuels and together registered a political party named Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) where he emerged the pioneer Director of Media and Publicity amongst other roles which included, Deputy National Youth Leader (A role which officially made him the youngest Nigerian serving on a National Executive Council) and Publicity Secretary, ANN, FCT Chapter.
Nurturing the basic tenets of politics and a renewed vigour to serve he has presented himself in the race for the exalted upper legislative house of Senate in the 2019 General Elections in Kogi East Senatorial District.
Sports:
His love for sports introduced him to the world of Martial Arts in his early years. A training which he developed over the years and now is a member of the Black Belt College – National Association of Shotokan Karate and also the founder of Karate-In-Nigeria (See www.facebook.com/karateinnigeria) which seeks to promote and showcase the culture and rich practice of Karate in Nigeria and a maiden National Karate Tourney in 2019 for the different schools of Karate in Nigeria.
Environment:
Following his earlier training on Environment and Natural Resources, Kevin founded in 2017 @climateactionng (see www.climateactionng.org, www.facebook.com/climateactionng) based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with a mission to “Strengthen Youth Leadership (Climate Action) to ensure resilient and sustainable societies.
Family and Personal Life:
Kevin was born to a family of 4 siblings in total, a Catholic and married with a Son.
He is a founding member of the International Community of St. Egidio (See www.santegidio.org), Nigeria Community.
He is a Black Belt degree holder in Karate, a lawn-tennis player, swimmer, member, Lekki Bird Club, and member, Nigeria Shooting Federation.
He is also an honorary reporter for the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism under her “Korea Clickers” program for 2018.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has responded to the appeal of Ijesa Muslim Community on the ongoing Ilesa road dualisation, reassuring the Muslim faithful that there is no plan to demolish the Ilesa Central Mosque.
Gov Adeleke gave the assurance through his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, noting that the word given during the ‘Ipade Imole’ remains.
“Governor Adeleke has received the plea of the Ijesa Muslim leaders and has directed that fresh assurance be given that the mosque is not billed for demolition in the ongoing road dualisation.
“The Muslim ummah should not entertain any fear as the mosque remains intact. Only the extended canopies will be affected, not the main building as earlier indicated.
“The Governor has also directed officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to interface with the Muslim leaders on the subject matter”, the Spokesperson noted.
While commending stakeholders for actively supporting the ongoing dualisation at Ilesa, the Spokesperson explained that his principal was committed to the implementation of the multi-billion-naira Infrastructure upgrade with an eye on deep local content and active community engagement and collaboration.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) national transition committee called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, citing the expiration of his tenure.
Led by Acting Chairman Aduwaheed Omar, the group marched to the party’s headquarters in Abuja, chanting solidarity songs and demanding that Abure should step down.
Upon their arrival, security personnel quickly shut the gates to prevent entry.
In an attempt to force their way in, the protesters were met with teargas from the Police. Despite this, they continued to demand that the gates be opened.
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