NGE urges politicians to observe democratic ideals

Lagos – Worried by some untoward developments in the polity, the
Nigerian Guild of Editors on Sunday urged political leaders to conduct
themselves in a manner that would engender the highest democratic
ideals.
In a communiqué at the end of its Standing Committee meeting on Friday
in Lagos, the guild expressed concern on the recent conduct of
somepolitical leaders, saying it could derail the country's democracy.
"We note with dismay the recent conduct of some political leaders,
which has the tendency to derail the country's hard-earned democracy.
"We urge political leaders to conduct themselves in a manner that will
engender the highest democratic ideals,'' the guild said.
The communiqué, which was signed by NGE President, Femi Adesina, and
itsSecretary, Isaac Ighure
On the ongoing industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics
(ASUP), the editors urged all parties involved to return to the
negotiation table.
The statement added:"They should return to the negotiation table to
resolve all outstanding issues in the interest of the students, who
are future leaders of the nation.''
The NGE also noted the efforts by certain groups to revive some
provisions of the Nigerian Press Council, which a competent court of
law had voided.
It urged that the judgment of the courton the matter should be
respected by all concerned, saying "such efforts maybe tantamount to
an attempt to gag the media.''
The NGE recalled that the Federal Government had on May 4, on the
World Press Freedom Day, withdrawn acourt case against two journalists
of the Leadership Newspapers in Abuja.
"The guild notes with concern the recent re-arraignment of the two
journalists and is of the position that the considerations that made
the Federal Government to withdraw the case in the first instance
should subsist,'' it said.
It also expressed worry that the Nigerian media were operating under
difficult conditions, as most of their inputs were imported.
The editors, therefore, appealed to thegovernment to waive import
duties onall news media inputs, especially newsprint and broadcast
equipment.