The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, Oluwaseun Boye, has charged public relations practitioners to uphold professionalism, ethical standards, and strategic communication as political parties commence activities ahead of the next electoral season.
Boye made this known at the May Monthly Business Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, where public relations practitioners were charged to take the lead in shaping credible narratives and strengthening public trust as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle.
Mrs. Boye emphasized the critical role of public relations professionals in interpreting political processes and fostering public confidence through credible communication frameworks.
“As practitioners, it’s imperative to interpret the electoral process and define a credible communication framework. Let us re-commit ourselves to professional integrity, creativity, and the highest ethical standards. Truth must always be at the forefront as we work to sustain credibility and trust in public communication,” she stated.
The meeting featured a pep talk themed *“Political Party Primaries: Impacts and Lessons for Public Communication Practice ”* delivered by Dr. Olalekan Oketokun, of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic who examined the complexities of political party primaries and the communication responsibilities surrounding the process.
Dr. Oketokun explained that political aspirants emerge through direct primaries or consensus arrangements influenced by factors such as zoning, religion, gender considerations, and party caucuses. According to him, the process underscores the urgent need for robust public communication strategies capable of ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and stakeholder trust.
He noted that party primaries remain a defining stage in democratic governance, as they determine the candidates who eventually shape the future of leadership and governance in the country.
Also contributing to the discourse, Professor Goke Rauf, Rector of D. S Adegbenro Polytechnic urged public relations professionals to remain committed to excellence and continuous capacity development in order to effectively manage political communication in a rapidly evolving democratic environment.
Participants at the meeting stressed that public relations has become an indispensable tool for strategic communication, reputation management, and public engagement within the political space. They maintained that practitioners must leverage their expertise to guide political actors, manage public perception, and strengthen trust in the electoral process.
The dialogue further highlighted the increasing expectations placed on communication professionals as political activities intensify across the country. Speakers agreed that PR practitioners must position themselves as trusted advisers capable of delivering transparent messaging and credible stakeholder engagement throughout the electoral process.
The meeting concluded with a collective call for public relations professionals to rise to the challenge of sustaining transparency, fairness, and integrity in Nigeria’s democratic journey through strategic and ethical communication practices.
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