By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, has described all the registered political parties in Nigeria as the babies of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

She made the assertion during a one-day training workshop for journalists, which took place at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Awka on April 10, 2025.

The One-Day Workshop, which had this this theme, “Ethical Journalism And Safety in An Evolving Democracy”, was organized by The Patriots For Soludo in partnership with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State chapter.

In her presentation, Dr. Agwu, who was one of the keynote speakers, affirmed that INEC plays an impartial role in the conduct of elections for political parties.

She further stated that the national electoral umpire maintains neutrality in political parties’ pre-election and post-election matters.

“Political parties belong to INEC; they are INEC babies. And INEC gives them level playing field and provide platform for the election of political leaders,” Agwu said.

Dr. Agwu praised the practising journalists in Anambra for having aversion for corrupt deeds and their display of professionalism.

“Journalists in Anambra state know their onions. They know their responsibilities, too.

“The Anambra journalists, whom I know, don’t accept bribe so as to give their stories biased bent.

“So the misbehaviour of one journalist should not make us describe all journalists in Anambra state as corrupt and unprofessional,” she said.

Earlier, one of the speakers at the workshop event, Barr. Moses Ugwo, had given a lecture on the roles of media in election reportage.

His lecture listed accurate and timely dissemination of information, maintenance of fairness and balance in election reportage, and fact-checking of information before its dissemination to the public as pivotal to carrying out effective election reportage.

The attendees includeed, but not limited to, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Chairman of NUJ, Anambra state chapter; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Pius Omachonu, Secretary of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council; Mr. Chris Molokwu, Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Radio/TV; Chief Damian Ejiamatu, Chairman, Anambra Patriots For Soludo, among others.

•Okoye is on the staff of the Anambra Ministry of Information, Awka.

PHOTO CAPTION: •Damian Ejiamatu, Chairman, Anambra Patriots For Soludo, giving certificates of participation to the workshop participants