The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has strongly rejected allegations of political bias surrounding the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) held in Enugu, calling on The Nation newspaper to issue an unreserved apology over what it described as a “misleading and unprovoked” editorial.
​In a formal statement released on Thursday, October 8, in Enugu, the professional body of media executives addressed a recent editorial by The Nation titled “Journalists Failed Journalism.” The publication had accused the Guild of surrendering its prestigious annual conference to partisan interests and providing an unbalanced platform for opposition political figures during the multi-day gathering at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
​Rejecting the claims, NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh clarified that the conference was structured to provide a neutral, robust platform for national discourse.
The Guild noted that invitations were extended across the political spectrum, state executives, civil society organizations, and media leaders to deliberate on pressing national issues, digital transformation, and the economic challenges facing the Nigerian press.
​”The Guild’s attention has been drawn to the editorial by The Nation newspaper, which cast unwarranted aspersions on the integrity of the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference,” the statement read. “The assertion that the NGE provided a partisan launchpad for political interests is not only factually incorrect but a gross misrepresentation of the core ethos of professional journalism.”
​The NGE leadership stressed that hosting prominent public figures to discuss governance, tax policy, press freedom, and electoral integrity is standard practice, not an endorsement of any political party or candidate.
​”Providing an open forum for public figures to engage on critical issues of national interest is not partisanship; it is journalism. It is our constitutional duty to hold power accountable and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders across the political spectrum,” the Guild added.
​The Guild criticized The Nation’s Editorial Board for failing to verify the comprehensive list of attendees and panellists before publishing its piece. Asserting that the editorial tarnished the reputation of the Guild and its members, the NGE demanded a full retraction and a public apology from the newspaper’s management.
​The 22nd ANEC brought together over 500 editors, media executives, public officials, and civil society leaders, concluding with the adoption of a communiqué urging greater protection for journalists, sustainable media financing models, and enhanced ethical standards across Nigerian newsrooms.
