THE GUILD of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has issued a strong call for political actors to align their campaign promises with economic realities and for the media to champion ethical reporting to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
This resolution was the central outcome of the 9th Annual GOCOP Conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, under the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
The conference brought together over 100 online publishers, policymakers, journalists, academics, and civil society leaders to critically examine the persistent gap between electoral pledges and actual governance outcomes in Nigeria and across Africa.
The keynote address was delivered by Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State.
The event was chaired by Chief Olabode George, a former Military Governor of the old Ondo State and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a communiqué issued at the end of the deliberations, jointly signed by Danlami Nmodu, mni, Chairman of GOCOP Conference Committee, and Olumide Iyanda, Secretary of the Committee, the conference identified several key challenges undermining the fulfilment of campaign promises. These include fiscal constraints due to reliance on volatile oil revenues, the disruptive impact of unforeseen emergencies like pandemics and insecurity, and systemic weaknesses such as corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Delegates also highlighted the public misunderstanding of necessary but painful policy reforms, such as fuel subsidy removal. They noted that a lack of adequate communication from the government exacerbates public frustration and erodes trust.
The role of the media was a focal point of discussions. While acknowledging the press as a critical bridge between the government and citizens, the conference lamented that sensationalism and partisanship often undermine this function.
Based on these observations, the conference adopted a series of resolutions and recommendations:
For Political Actors: Campaign promises must be feasible, fiscally responsible, and grounded in reality. Parties and candidates should be held strictly accountable for their pledges.
For Government: There is an urgent need to strengthen public institutions to ensure policy continuity and transparency, irrespective of political transitions. Governments should also institutionalize long-term development plans that transcend electoral cycles.
For Public Communication: Leaders must engage citizens honestly and consistently, explaining the rationale, outcomes, and trade-offs involved in policy decisions.
For the Media: GOCOP members and other media practitioners were urged to recommit to professionalism and non-partisanship. They should deploy data-driven journalism, fact-checking, and “Promise Trackers” to monitor governance performance.
For Civic Awareness: A collaboration between civil society, educational institutions, and the media is essential to educate citizens on governance processes and fiscal realities.
The conference reaffirmed the critical role of digital journalism and called for stronger partnerships between online publishers and public institutions to advance transparent policy communication.
The communiqué emphasized that “transparency, accountability, ethical leadership, and a free yet responsible media are the cornerstones for bridging the chasm between citizen expectations and actual governance.”
GOCOP commended its members for combating misinformation and upholding high professional standards. The Guild also thanked the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for his support and urged him to collaborate with its new executive committee.
The conference expressed appreciation to the keynote speaker, chairman, panelists, participants, sponsors, and partners for the success of the event.
