By Aaron Ossai
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has demanded an apology from The Nation newspaper over an editorial accusing journalists of “failing journalism,” arguing that the publication reached its conclusion without considering key facts surrounding the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu.
In a statement signed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the Guild rejected the editorial published on Thursday, October 8, 2026, titled, “Journalists Failed Journalism.”
The Nation had questioned the decision of the Guild to allow Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Prof. Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the party, to address editors at the conference. It reportedly viewed their participation as evidence of partisanship by the NGE.
But the Guild said the conclusion ignored the wider structure and objectives of the conference, which provided a professional platform for discussions on democracy, elections, journalism, artificial intelligence, disinformation and the future of Nigeria.
According to the NGE, the programme included an Executive Session involving governors, political party chairmen, heads of government agencies and other major stakeholders.
It said Obi and Utomi participated within that broader framework and that providing them with an opportunity to speak did not amount to endorsing the NDC or any political candidate.
The Guild said it had formally invited major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and NDC, to participate in the political engagement.
It identified APC Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yelwatda; ADC Chairman, Senator David Mark; and NDC Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, as among those invited.
The NGE said its efforts extended beyond formal invitations, with Anaba personally engaging Yelwatda and ADC Vice-Presidential candidate, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, on their participation.
It added that Ukeh also followed up with Paul Ibe, media aide to ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to encourage the participation of the party and its leaders.
The Guild questioned why it should be blamed for the absence of invited political actors who eventually failed to attend the conference.
It argued that it would have been inappropriate to deny a willing participant access to the platform simply because other invited parties or candidates did not attend.
The NGE also pointed to the participation of senior government officials as evidence that the conference was not structured to favour any political party.
Tunde Rahman, Senior Media Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, addressed the gathering on the administration, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Alhaji Ali M. Ali.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also addressed the editors virtually from the United States.
The Guild therefore rejected The Nation’s description of Obi’s appearance as an “ambush,” saying he attended an open professional gathering involving editors, journalists and other stakeholders.
