Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerian editors to intensify scrutiny of politicians and their records ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the call while speaking at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu, held under the theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.” 

The former Anambra State governor said editors had an important role to play in protecting democratic institutions by ensuring that citizens have access to credible information before making electoral decisions.

He urged media managers to interrogate the qualifications, previous records and public conduct of politicians seeking elective office, while also demanding accountability from those already in positions of authority.

“In my remarks, I called on our editors to continue to reinforce their role as bulwarks protecting our democracy,” Obi said in a statement on his participation at the conference.

He added that editors should use their privileged position to hold politicians accountable, investigate their records and demand excellence from candidates seeking to become public office holders.

Obi said the media should expose documented wrongdoing and provide Nigerians with the information required to assess those seeking their votes.

“Editors must continue to scrutinise the qualifications and past records of those seeking public office, expose past wrongdoings and ensure that the Nigerian people have access to the information they need to make informed decisions,” he said. 

He also called for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections to be centred on issues affecting Nigerians, including good governance, national unity, security and economic prosperity. 

Obi said politicians should be challenged to explain their records, policy proposals and campaign promises rather than relying on personal attacks or name-calling.

The conference organized by the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is Eze Anaba, the editor of Vanguard newspaper, also provided an opportunity for Obi to engage participants during a question-and-answer session and hear their views on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the media’s role in strengthening democratic processes.

The two-day conference brought together editors and other stakeholders in Enugu to deliberate on democracy, elections, press freedom and emerging challenges associated with artificial intelligence-driven disinformation. 

Obi thanked the Nigerian Guild of Editors for inviting him to participate in the conference and expressed his hope that the deliberations would contribute to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria.