A monitoring team from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), led by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Dr. Susan Obi, was in Osogbo, Osun State, to assess broadcast coverage of the 2026 Osun State off-cycle gubernatorial election, according to the Commission.
The 2026 gubernatorial election to elect a governor for the State was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on August 15, 2026.
The NBC explained that its monitoring exercise in the State was aimed at ensuring compliance with the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and the Commission’s Political Broadcast Guidelines.
It said the team monitored election-related programmes, news reports, political advertisements, interviews, and commentaries across broadcast stations, with particular attention to fairness, balance, accuracy, responsible journalism, and equitable access for all political parties and candidates.
In addition to the monitoring activities, the NBC said its team visited selected broadcast stations across Osogbo to engage with management and editorial teams, during which the Commission reiterated the need for broadcasters to maintain clean and responsible airwaves throughout the electioneering period.
It said broadcasters were reminded of their critical role in the electoral process and urged to provide credible and accurate information while avoiding content capable of inciting violence, promoting hate speech, misleading the public, or escalating political tensions.
The Commission stated that its team also emphasised the need for professionalism and impartiality in political broadcasts, particularly live programmes, phone-in segments, and debates where unverified or inflammatory statements could be disseminated.
It said it encouraged broadcasters to continue working with relevant stakeholders to promote a peaceful, credible, and responsible electoral environment in Osun State.
Besides Dr. Obi, other members of the team who participated in the exercise, according to the NBC, included the Director of Ibadan Zone, Mr. Jude Ajayi, and the Acting Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mrs. Stella-Maris Odetah; and the Technical Adviser to the Director-General, Mr. Moses Jolayemi, as well as other staff of the Commission.
