Amnesty International Nigeria has urged Nigerian media editors to put human rights at the heart of election coverage, warning against ethnic, religious and tribal incitement as the country approaches another crucial electoral cycle.
The organization made the call during an engagement forum and capacity-building workshop for editors in Lagos State, designed to strengthen human rights-centered journalism and promote more informed and responsible reporting.
Speaking with Senior News Editor Onuora Aninwobodo on the sidelines of the program, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director and Executive Director, Isa Sanusi, said editors were deliberately targeted because of their significant influence on newsroom decisions and the stories that ultimately reach the public.
“Editors have a responsibility, and that responsibility centers around paying attention to the right issues,” Sanusi said.
He explained that Amnesty International had spent much of the previous year engaging reporters and other journalists but decided to deepen the conversation by engaging editors who determine which issues receive priority in newsrooms.
Sanusi said the organization believes its human rights advocacy can have a greater impact when the media understands its priorities and incorporates human rights considerations into everyday reporting.
With elections approaching, he urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to focus on their records, policies and programs rather than exploiting ethnic, religious or tribal identities to mobilize voters.
He said the right to vote and the right to elect and be elected are fundamental human rights that must be protected throughout the electoral process.
“Unfortunately, previous elections in Nigeria were marred by ethnic incitement, religious incitement, tribal incitement and many other things,” Sanusi said.
He urged political actors to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and allow Nigerians to make electoral choices based on issues and the records of candidates.
“We believe that Nigeria should move beyond that level of sentiment. We should have people free and have an opportunity to fairly elect who they like,” he said.
Sanusi also challenged editors to give greater prominence to human rights violations when deciding which stories should lead the news.
He said while newsrooms face competing demands every day, reports involving violations of fundamental rights should not be pushed aside by routine political statements or campaign promises.
“There is no way we can have a peaceful and prosperous country without human rights integrated into every aspect of life,” he said.
According to him, human rights considerations should extend across elections, politics, health care, education and other areas of public life.
“If our humanity is not protected in the first place, there is no way we can enjoy whatever a politician is going to offer, either in terms of electricity or water or infrastructure,” Sanusi said.
On Amnesty International’s assessment of the human rights situation in Nigeria, Sanusi acknowledged that serious challenges remain but said the organization had also recorded areas of gradual progress.
He cited developments in democratic governance, institutional accountability and increased public engagement on issues of governance and human rights, while noting that progress had not been as fast as expected.
“Things are changing, but not at the speed we expected,” he said.
Sanusi said Amnesty International would continue to document human rights violations, engage stakeholders and work with the media to promote greater awareness and accountability.
He urged journalists to remain professional, courageous and committed to reporting issues that affect the rights and dignity of Nigerians, particularly as the country moves closer to another election cycle.
The Lagos engagement is part of Amnesty International Nigeria’s broader media outreach and capacity-building efforts aimed at strengthening human rights-focused reporting and improving public understanding of fundamental rights.
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