WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based online investigative and data journalism platform has been selected among other 18 media outlets to monitor Nigeria’s general elections starting tomorrow with presidential and parliamentary polls.
Deputy Director of the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Mboho Eno, stated in a press release that the partnership is designed to support the media with credible real-time information that could improve the quality of information available on electoral activities.
This, the centre believes, would help deepen democratic engagement and strengthen institutions through civic and media strategies during the elections.
CJID noted that the partnership is a loose coalition that includes Premium Times newsroom, Media Trust Group, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Blaze 91.5 FM, Theinformat 247, TwentyTen Daily, WikkiTimes, Sobi FM , Dataphyte Nigeria Limited, BOnews Service, Africa Tech Radio, Lens Africa TV , Rapid FM, Just Event Online, Oyo News, Insight Multi-links Media, Roundoffnews and Platform Times media.
“It is basically a resource-sharing initiative to help deepen the nation’s democratic gains through ensuring the accountability of the electoral process,” Eno said, adding that the partnership is at no cost to the media houses.
CJID’s Executive Director, Dr. Tobi Oluwatola, stressed the importance of collaboration in the media, particularly around what he called “high-value issues like elections”, adding: “when we collaborate and meaningfully, we can contribute in promoting transparency and accountability around elections in Nigeria, which are the sure paths to democratic consolidation”.
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Dr. Tobi thanked all collaborating partners and called on all stakeholders and citizens alike to join in the movement and play their part in all goodwill to lead the country’s democracy to greater heights.
The CJID will deploy 60 observers/ reporters across 33 states to give a situation analysis of proceedings which the media houses will use to aid their coverage.
