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The contentious editorial had criticized the NGE for allowing Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Prof. Pat Utomi, a party chieftain, to address the conference, portraying their appearance as evidence of institutional partisanship.
The NGE maintained that the conference was structured as an open professional forum for editors, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on pressing national themes, including democracy, elections, journalism, artificial intelligence, and disinformation. According to the Guild, the programme explicitly featured an “Executive Session” on its second day designed to host governors, political party leaders, and key actors across the political spectrum.
Providing a detailed rebuttal, the Guild revealed that it had extended official invitations and follow-up reminders to the leadership of major political parties. These included the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yelwatda; the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark; and the Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
Furthermore, the NGE leadership engaged in direct outreach. President Eze Anaba personally consulted with APC Chairman Yelwatda and ADC Vice-Presidential candidate Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, while General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh coordinated directly with Mr. Paul Ibe, media aide to ADC presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to secure their participation.
The Guild questioned why it should be held accountable when invited political actors ultimately chose not to attend, asserting that it would have been professionally remiss to bar a willing political candidate simply because opposing figures opted out.
Highlighting the diverse lineup of speakers, the NGE noted that the federal government and ruling party were prominently represented. Tunde Rahman, Senior Media Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, addressed the gathering, while Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris was represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Ali M. Ali. Additionally, Vice President Kashim Shettima addressed the editors virtually from the United States.
The Guild argued that this cross-section of speakers completely disproves allegations that the platform was engineered to favor any specific political party or candidate.
The NGE took particular exception to the editorial's characterization of Mr. Peter Obi's presence as an “ambush” and rejected the reference to an “impunity of silence” as deeply unfortunate. The Guild emphasized that there is a fundamental difference between providing an independent platform for multi-party engagement and endorsing a political candidate.
Inverting the editorial's core accusation, the Guild declared that The Nation’s Editorial Board failed journalism by omitting material facts about the extensive outreach conducted to ensure balanced political representation. Reaffirming its dedication to accuracy, fairness, balance, independence, and accountability, the NGE vowed to continue hosting independent engagements for political actors and public stakeholders without fear or favor.
Concluding its position, the NGE demanded that The Nation acknowledge its omissions and issue a formal retraction and apology to the Guild and its leadership.
The NGE maintained that the conference was structured as an open professional forum for editors, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on pressing national themes, including democracy, elections, journalism, artificial intelligence, and disinformation. According to the Guild, the programme explicitly featured an “Executive Session” on its second day designed to host governors, political party leaders, and key actors across the political spectrum.
Providing a detailed rebuttal, the Guild revealed that it had extended official invitations and follow-up reminders to the leadership of major political parties. These included the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yelwatda; the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark; and the Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
Furthermore, the NGE leadership engaged in direct outreach. President Eze Anaba personally consulted with APC Chairman Yelwatda and ADC Vice-Presidential candidate Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, while General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh coordinated directly with Mr. Paul Ibe, media aide to ADC presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to secure their participation.
The Guild questioned why it should be held accountable when invited political actors ultimately chose not to attend, asserting that it would have been professionally remiss to bar a willing political candidate simply because opposing figures opted out.
Highlighting the diverse lineup of speakers, the NGE noted that the federal government and ruling party were prominently represented. Tunde Rahman, Senior Media Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, addressed the gathering, while Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris was represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Ali M. Ali. Additionally, Vice President Kashim Shettima addressed the editors virtually from the United States.
The Guild argued that this cross-section of speakers completely disproves allegations that the platform was engineered to favor any specific political party or candidate.
The NGE took particular exception to the editorial's characterization of Mr. Peter Obi's presence as an “ambush” and rejected the reference to an “impunity of silence” as deeply unfortunate. The Guild emphasized that there is a fundamental difference between providing an independent platform for multi-party engagement and endorsing a political candidate.
Inverting the editorial's core accusation, the Guild declared that The Nation’s Editorial Board failed journalism by omitting material facts about the extensive outreach conducted to ensure balanced political representation. Reaffirming its dedication to accuracy, fairness, balance, independence, and accountability, the NGE vowed to continue hosting independent engagements for political actors and public stakeholders without fear or favor.
Concluding its position, the NGE demanded that The Nation acknowledge its omissions and issue a formal retraction and apology to the Guild and its leadership.
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