Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has said for multi-party democracy to thrive, the media must keep watch on the ruling party and prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling opposition.
He added that the media should not allow itself to be cowed or silenced at this trying period.
Makinde stated this in his address at the opening ceremony of a 3-Day Retreat by the Press Corps of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Headquarters, with the theme: Role of the Media in Fostering Transparency and Development in a Multi-party Democracy.
Represented by his chief press secretary, Dr. Sulaimon Olarewaju, the governor said the media is not just the fourth estate of the realm, but the fulcrum of the society, adding that if the media is taken away, the world would be thrown back to the Stone Age.
Let me also add this, in line with your theme and the roles you play as PDP Press Corps; it is imperative that the media must stand up to those in power and put them in check in the interest of democracy and democratisation.
“For a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media owes the society the responsibility of keeping watch on the ruling party to prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling opposition.
“Remember French Judge, Baron De Montesquieu, warned that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is, therefore, a key function of the media and a task that must be done, that you prevent the absolutism of the ruling party or the majority party.
“In this regard, you have been doing well. But you must strive to do better. Do not allow yourselves to be cowed or silenced at this trying period. I encourage you to speak truth to power and to project our great party, the PDP, as its partners in progress.”
He said PDP is the only platform that can bring genuine development in our nation.
He said Oyo State has a regularly monitored feedback system that enables the citizens to ask questions on all activities of the government which helps in decision making.
Makinde said his administration established the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), which has the mandate to investigate cases of corruption and mismanagement of public funds as well as the Project Monitoring Agency, which ensures the state gets value for its money.
“On his part, chairman of the PDP Press Corps, Samuel Ogidan, in his welcome address, said the fast pace of political events, the complexity of governance, and the shifting nature of public opinion demands that journalists must stay sharp, informed, and adaptable.
“This retreat provides the much-needed pause from our daily grind, giving us the space to reflect on our craft, sharpen our skills, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of journalism in Nigeria.
“We all know that investigative journalism remains a cornerstone of political reporting. It is our responsibility to dig deeper and uncover the truth that is often buried beneath layers of bureaucracy and deception. However, the resources and time needed for thorough investigations are often scarce.
“During this retreat, we will focus on sharpening our skills in investigative reporting, learning new techniques, and how best to utilize available tools,” he said.
