Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has urged the government and media to meet at the point of truth.
Mbah made the call while welcoming editors to the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu. He urged journalists to move beyond headlines and political narratives when reporting public affairs.
The governor spoke on Thursday during the conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors. More than 300 editors attended the event, which focused on the media, elections and democracy.
The conference was held under the theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.”
Its sub-theme was, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Misinformation Before, During and After Elections.”
Mbah Calls for Evidence-Based Journalism
Mbah said government and the media have different responsibilities. However, he said both institutions share an obligation to serve Nigerians.
According to him, government must remain transparent about its actions. He added that authorities must also accept accountability for their results.
The governor said the media, in turn, must independently scrutinise government activities. He urged journalists to establish facts before reporting developments to the public.
“Government must be transparent about what it is doing and be accountable for the results. The press must establish the facts and report the truth,” Mbah said.
He noted that truthful reporting could expose failures within government. However, he said it could also reveal progress when evidence supports such findings.
Mbah said the media should therefore approach government activities with independent scrutiny. He added that reporting should not be shaped by political narratives.
His comments come as debates continue over the role of journalism in Nigeria’s democracy. Relatedly, Afam Osigwe recently criticised the growing reliance on courts in electoral disputes during the same editors conference.
Governor Warns About AI-Generated Misinformation
Mbah also challenged journalists to strengthen investigative reporting. He said the need had become more urgent because of rapid advances in artificial intelligence.
According to the governor, AI tools can create fabricated photographs and clone human voices. He also said the technology can manipulate videos and make false claims appear credible.
Mbah said these developments have increased the responsibility of professional journalists. He urged editors to ensure that evidence and verification remain central to their work.
“My challenge to you, therefore, is simple – go deeper, beyond the surface,” he told the editors.
The governor said investigative journalism should not begin with a predetermined conclusion. Instead, journalists should examine available evidence before reaching conclusions.
He said journalists should test competing claims and establish what actually happened. He also urged newsrooms to provide sufficient context when reporting complex issues.
The concerns about AI misinformation featured prominently at the conference. The INEC chairman has also urged editors to strengthen fact-checking against AI-driven deepfakes ahead of future elections.
Mbah Says Scrutiny Should Apply to Government and Critics
Mbah said the same journalistic standards should apply to government and its critics.
He argued that government achievements should not be ignored because they conflict with a political narrative. At the same time, he said shortcomings should receive scrutiny when evidence establishes them.
“We have tried to build an Enugu government that is open about what it is doing and clear about what it is trying to achieve,” he said.
The governor added that areas where his administration fell short should be examined and reported. He also said evidence of progress should receive the same attention.
Mbah has previously highlighted the scale of projects carried out under his administration. His latest remarks again placed those projects before editors for independent assessment.
The governor has also promoted an economic expansion agenda for Enugu. NACCIMA recently backed Enugu’s ₦30 billion economic ambition.
Governor Highlights Enugu Development Projects
Mbah used the conference to outline some projects undertaken by his administration.
He said more than 1,500 kilometres of roads had been constructed or reconstructed. He also said the government had delivered more than 7,000 classrooms across the state.
The governor listed Smart Green Schools among the education projects. He also cited Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across Enugu’s 260 electoral wards.
Other projects mentioned included water infrastructure and new transport terminals. He also highlighted CNG buses, Enugu Air and the revival of dormant industries.
Mbah further mentioned the development of a new city as part of his administration’s plans. The governor previously unveiled a list of projects under his administration.
He said the projects formed part of a broader plan to reposition Enugu. According to him, the state is being developed as an economic gateway to the South-East.
Mbah said his administration wants Enugu to become one of Nigeria’s leading economies. He also linked the ambition to improvements in human development and quality of life.
The governor’s infrastructure claims have featured in several recent discussions about the state. A report on grassroots development also highlighted projects under the Mbah administration.
Mbah Acknowledges Federal Government Support
The governor also acknowledged support from President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government. He said the collaboration had benefited areas including roads, aviation and energy. Mbah also mentioned regional development as another area of federal-state cooperation.
The governor said such collaboration could support Enugu’s broader economic plans. He also cited developments linked to aviation and other infrastructure.
Mbah has previously discussed Enugu’s plans to strengthen its position within the South-East. RMAFC’s push for Chinese investment has also focused on expanding investment opportunities in Nigeria.
He said Enugu should increasingly serve as a gateway for business and economic activity. The governor also pointed to the development of Enugu Smart City as part of that agenda.
Governor Challenges Editors to Examine Enugu
Mbah urged the visiting editors to assess the developments they had heard about.
He asked them to move beyond official presentations and engage directly with residents. He said journalists should speak with people who live and work in Enugu.
“Take some time to explore the city, speak to the people who live and work here, and get a sense of the direction in which Enugu is moving,” he said.
The governor said independent observation would allow the editors to assess the government’s claims. He maintained that evidence should ultimately determine how developments are reported.
The call comes amid increased attention to political reporting ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Recent discussions at the conference have also focused on electoral credibility and public confidence.
Enugu has also been preparing for its September 26 local government elections.
The state government has separately outlined security and movement arrangements for the polls. Security agencies recently assured residents of a peaceful Enugu local government election.
Editors Conference Focuses on Democracy and Media
The 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference brought together editors and other stakeholders in Enugu.
The conference examined the relationship between the media, elections and democratic governance. It also addressed the growing challenge posed by artificial intelligence and digital misinformation.
Cardinal John Onaiyekan called for a democracy that serves Nigerians during his keynote address at the conference.
Other speakers also discussed challenges affecting Nigeria’s electoral system. These included public confidence, institutions and the role of the media.
The conference therefore provided a platform for discussions about journalism and democratic accountability. Mbah’s address focused specifically on the relationship between government transparency and independent reporting.
Mbah Receives Good Governance Plaque
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of a plaque to Mbah.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors presented the governor with the plaque for good governance. The recognition formed part of the activities surrounding the editors conference.
Mbah had used the occasion to outline his administration’s projects and development plans. He also invited journalists to independently examine the government’s claims.
The governor’s remarks centred on the need for evidence-based reporting. He maintained that government and the media should ultimately meet at the point of truth.
His position also comes as Enugu continues to receive attention for infrastructure and development initiatives. The state has also promoted community-level development through its PRA exercise.
Meanwhile, Enugu’s agro-mechanisation project is expected to target 50,000 hectares.
The governor said the media should continue to scrutinise government activities. He added that the same evidence-based approach should apply when reporting both challenges and progress.
For Enugu’s political landscape, APC campaigns in Enugu East have also focused on the Mbah administration’s development record.
Mbah’s address ultimately placed truth, verification and accountability at the centre of the government-media relationship. He urged editors to look closely, establish the facts and report their findings independently.
