Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has urged members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to take the lead in tackling fake news and unprofessional practices in journalism.
George gave the charge at the 9th Annual GOCOP Conference held on Thursday at Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. The theme of the conference was “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
The 79-year-old politician expressed concern over the rising number of untrained individuals posing as journalists. He commended GOCOP for promoting professionalism and integrity in digital journalism despite the challenges.
“I am extremely happy that GOCOP continues to grow stronger despite the odds. I have followed your activities since inception, and I am proud to be associated with a body of credible professionals,” he said.
George, a former governor of Ondo State, also called on the government to improve the lives of young Nigerians, whom he described as victims of poor governance.
He said Nigeria’s vast resources and human potential should be used responsibly for national development.
“There is no part of Nigeria that is not endowed. True democracy means utilising resources for the benefit of the people. Leaders must remember that power is transient and that posterity will judge their actions,” he said.
Bode George cautioned against any calls for military intervention, saying such moves would derail the nation’s democratic progress.
He stressed that while the civilian system is not perfect, it allows checks and balances through the three arms of government, unlike the military, which concentrates power.
The PDP chieftain also called for a thorough review of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and rebuild public trust in elections.
He concluded by urging journalists to uphold truth, ethics, and patriotism, noting that credible journalism remains vital to democracy and national growth.
