Place National Interest Above Personal Goals As We Approach 2027 Elections, Uzodimma To Editors.

By Lawrence Mpama

Ahead of 2027 general election in the country, editors as opinion moulder, who shape the way national discourse flows, have been advised to put the interest, unity and cohesion of the country over and above any personal or parochial gains. The advised has become necessary in view of the very important role they play in shaping and influencing people in opinion moulding and character development.

Gov Uzodinma made the assertion as the Keynote Speaker at the 2025, 21st All Nigerian Editors Conference ANEC, taking place at the banquet hall of the Presidential villa in Abuja.

Uzodimma, who is also the Chairman of the  All Progressives Congress (APC) – Progressives Governors’ Forum, stated that, “The plain truth as we head into 2027 is that elections are won and lost not only on policies or candidates, but on whether voters believe the outcome will be legitimate or not depending on what we editors says.

He asserted that, “The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine the outcome of 2027, either with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”

The Governor of Imo State, stated that the Nigerian media industry should be held accountable for what’s happening in the country and to its citizens, both positively and negatively. “Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect,” said Uzodimma.

The governor of Imo State went further to critique the  theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,’ and a sub-theme: ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027,’ explain, “I will not let you escape accountability for electoral integrity, trust deficit, and what Nigerians expect in 2027”.

Here is why.  If you have a role to play in “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion,’ then you also have a role to play in ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit.’  

Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy. Electoral integrity begets democracy, and democracy begets good governance, and good governance fast-tracks the exorcism of trust deficit.

In all of these, your role as facilitator, amplifier, or catalyst is key.

“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect.”

He emphasised that what editors actually do is akin to a pastoral duty.

“You decide what becomes urgent and what disappears.

You choose the lens through which millions of Nigerians see their country, their leaders, and each other.

“That is how the media is structured. A policy shift is either “Government U-Turn” or “Strategic Adaptation.”

A land border closure is either “Economic Protectionism Impoverishing the People” or “National Security Imperative.” Same facts, different frames. Entirely different public perception.,” he said.

He added: ” You are not not exempted from the inaction, error, mistakes or otherwise of the system. You cannot exonerate yourself.