Editors Conference in Enugu Addresses Nigeria's Democracy

On September 24, 2026, the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference commenced in Enugu, focusing on the challenges facing Nigeria's democracy, including elections, political impunity, and the role of the media. The conference was themed “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.” Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, delivered the first major paper titled “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts,” which analyzed the relationship between technology, election disputes, and judicial intervention.

Osigwe's assessment included the roles of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the judiciary, and the electorate in maintaining election credibility. The conference featured remarks from a participant who expressed concern over the diminishing democratic promise in Nigeria, echoing sentiments from Chief Obafemi Awolowo's past reflections on the implications of electoral outcomes for the country's democratic order.

The discussions underscored the ongoing struggle for democracy in Nigeria, which has faced numerous interruptions since independence.