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NUJ-FCT Chair Advocates Stronger Media Involvement in Public Debt Oversight
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By Gloria Ikibah
The Chair of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has urged stronger cooperation between the media, civil society organisations, and parliament to improve the monitoring of public debt and promote greater accountability in Nigeria.
She made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC), organised by the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee.
Comrade Ike underscored the vital role the press plays in ensuring that public officials remain accountable. She noted that the efforts of parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would have little impact without the active involvement of journalists.
“The media serves as a bridge between parliament, government institutions and the public. Public awareness is critical, but it cannot be achieved without effective information sharing and capacity building,” she said.
She stressed the need for regular training and re-training of journalists to deepen their understanding of audit processes, public debt management, and the technical aspects of legislative oversight. Ike suggested workshops, roundtable discussions, and joint briefings with Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and civil society groups as practical steps to enhance the quality of reporting in these areas.
She commended the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, for maintaining a close working relationship with the media but added that further progress could still be made. Ike proposed that, before the close of the 10th Assembly, a comprehensive training programme be introduced for parliamentary correspondents, particularly on debt and oversight issues.
The NUJ Chair also highlighted the growing importance of investigative and undercover journalism, pointing out that reporters require adequate resources and specialist training to expose corruption and the mismanagement of public funds.
“Investigative journalism is resource-intensive. It demands time, funding, and considerable skill. Journalists must be well equipped to carry out undercover work on public accounts and debt management, to provide credible information rather than allowing misinformation to thrive, particularly in this age of social media,” she stressed.
Comrade Ike further appealed to SAIs and parliamentary committees to make audit reports and related documents more accessible. She explained that simplified, timely and publicly available data would significantly advance transparency and accountability.
She also called for joint campaigns by the media and civil society to raise public awareness of Nigeria’s debt profile and its implications, as well as to remind citizens of their right to demand accountability from government officials.
“Many citizens do not fully realise they have the right to demand accountability. It is the responsibility of the media to keep this in focus and to ensure office holders are held to their commitments,” she added.
Beyond training and access to information, Ike also pressed for legislative and policy reforms to strengthen the role of parliamentary committees in overseeing public debt. She observed that balanced reporting—highlighting both achievements and shortcomings—would stimulate civic engagement and pressure for reform.
She furthermore emphasised that effective debt oversight is a shared duty among parliament, civil society, and the media.
“Writing reports and passing resolutions is one step; implementing them is another. As the gatekeepers of information, the media is prepared to work with all stakeholders to empower citizens, protect public resources, and support sustainable development,” she said.
The NUJ FCT Chair expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the Public Accounts Committee and the press would not only improve transparency but also ensure Nigerians are better informed about how the nation’s debt is being managed.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has slashed its fuel pump price for the second time within four days.
A market survey on Saturday by DAILY POST showed that NNPCL retail outlets around Airport Junction and Wuse Zone 6 (Berger) in Abuja have reduced their petrol price to N1210 per litre, down from N1260.
This means that the state-owned oil firm slashed the petrol price by N50 per litre.
This comes barely two days after Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by N50 to N1,125 per litre.
Recall that four days ago, NNPCL had adjusted its fuel price pump by N75 per litre to N1260.
With the latest drop by NNPCL retail outlets, petrol prices stand between N1210 per litre and N1305 per litre in Abuja and its environs.
The reduction in domestic fuel comes amid falling crude oil prices, which stand at $69 per barrel and $71 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively, following the easing of the conflict in the Middle East.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has kept mum amid the clamour by Nigerians for a commensurate drop in domestic fuel pump prices due to the significant reduction in crude oil prices.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.
INEC revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
According to the commission, although it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on June 26, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified copy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.
INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.
“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.
Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.
The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.
The ruling has also attracted reactions from opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels.
INEC, however, maintained that it would reserve its position on the judgment until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy.
A joint police operation rescued five victims abducted near Ogbere Forest in Ogun state on Wednesday.
They were rescued within 25 hours by the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands, which were part of a joint operation codenamed KOSAYE, meaning “No Space” in Yoruba.
The woman was among the victims who were shot in the incident. Her daughter and sister were among those rescued by the police on Thursday.
NNPC slashes petrol price twice within four days
Lokoja Court order: INEC speaks on NDC, says it’s yet to receive CTC
Just in: Police rescue five abductees in Ogun
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