The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged journalists in the state to ensure a peaceful and inclusive reporting of the 2023 general elections, warning the media not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to fan embers of hate and disunity through hate speeches and derogatory comments.

Obaseki said this when he received members and executives of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State, who were on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.

The governor said, “As media men and women, we have a role to play in helping, elevating, and lifting the conversation by focusing on the issues and stop trading abuses, and harassing people. When people who are not supposed to talk speak, we should step up and condemn them. When someone who has managed a State as a governor goes out and begins to preach violence, there is no justification or excuse for that.

“We must lend our voices as this election will come and go. There will be winners and losers and Nigeria will continue. The will of the people will prevail in this election, as INEC is working hard to get it right. We pray for a free, fair, credible, and well-conducted election. We will all agree with the outcome when the result is announced.”

He added, “The election season is here and we are concerned because it's about ensuring there is peace as this is the seventh election in this Republic and many more elections will come. People have to moderate what they say; what they do and how they act.

“We all must be involved in obeying political culture as the kind of language used is not in the spirit of democracy as they want the Country to burn down.”

On his part, the Chairman of Edo NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe commended the governor for his developmental strides in the State, reassuring the support of the media in ensuring all-round development in the state.