2026 NUJ BAUCHI ELECTION: AHMAD AND MU’AZU CAMPAIGN COUNCIL RAISES CONSTITUTIONAL, ELECTORAL AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS
The National President
Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)
National Secretariat
Plot 131, Cadastral Zone, Sector Centre A,
Jahi District, Off Mabushi Ultra-Modern Market Road,
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
THE 2026 NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), BAUCHI STATE COUNCIL ELECTION: MATTERS ARISING
The 2026 Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council election has come and gone. While some stakeholders may regard the process as free, fair and credible, the Ahmad and Mu’azu Campaign Council, having actively participated in the election through candidates who contested the offices of State Chairman and State Secretary, believes that a number of fundamental issues arising from the conduct of the election require urgent attention by the appropriate organs of the Union.
As responsible and committed members of the NUJ family, we consider it our duty to raise these concerns—not out of bitterness, personal interest or unwillingness to accept the outcome of an election, but in defence of the NUJ Constitution, the principles of unionism, fairness, equality, transparency, justice and the collective rights of journalists.
The strength of any union lies not only in conducting elections, but also in ensuring that the rules governing those elections are consistently respected and applied. An electoral process can only command broad confidence when members are assured that constitutional provisions apply equally to everyone, irrespective of chapel, position, affiliation or candidate.
Following our review of the conduct of the 19 September 2026 Bauchi State Council election, the Ahmad and Mu’azu Campaign Council respectfully brings the following matters to the attention of the NUJ National Secretariat, relevant stakeholders and the wider journalism community.
1. ELECTORAL TIMETABLE AND NOTICE PERIOD
The Bauchi State Council election was organised within approximately ten days, with the process reportedly receiving approval from the National Secretariat.
We are concerned that this timeframe appears inconsistent with the period contemplated under Article 6, Election 1(a), pages 26–27 of the amended NUJ Constitution, which provides for a significantly longer period for the preparation and conduct of state council elections.
We therefore request the National Secretariat to review the circumstances under which the 2026 Bauchi election timetable was approved and determine whether the prescribed constitutional requirements were complied with.
2. DELAY IN THE RELEASE OF THE VOTERS’ REGISTER
The Credentials Committee’s approved electoral timetable reportedly scheduled the release of the list of eligible voters for 15 and 16 September 2026.
However, the register was reportedly released only on the evening of 17 September, shortly before the election.
The Campaign Council considers this delay significant because eligible members require reasonable time to examine the voters’ register, identify omissions or inaccuracies and submit claims or objections before polling.
We therefore request an independent review of the circumstances surrounding the delayed publication of the register and its implications for the claims-and-objections process.
3. ALLEGED EXCLUSION OF ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
Following the release of the voters’ register, concerns were raised over the alleged omission of bona fide and otherwise eligible NUJ members from several chapels.
Among the examples cited to the Campaign Council are:
- State Ministry of Information Chapel: approximately 23 members were reportedly eligible, while only eight were listed or cleared to vote.
- NTA Chapel: approximately 15 eligible members were reportedly identified, while only four or five were reportedly cleared to participate.
- BRC Chapel: out of approximately 33 eligible members, 17 were reportedly permitted to vote.
- Globe FM: complaints were reportedly raised concerning the exclusion of some members.
- Albarka Radio: allegations were raised that some NUJ members were omitted while persons whose membership status was questioned were included.
- Similar concerns were reportedly raised concerning BPPC and Wikki chapels.
The Campaign Council also alleges that names of some retired personnel appeared on certain voters’ lists.
We emphasise that these are matters requiring verification rather than conclusions. We therefore urge the National Secretariat to obtain the relevant membership records and independently reconcile them with the final voters’ register.
4. REQUESTS FOR INTERVENTION BY EXCLUDED MEMBERS
According to the Campaign Council, some affected stakeholders contacted the National President seeking intervention.
We understand that at least one person from the NTA Chapel was subsequently cleared, while complaints concerning other allegedly excluded members remained unresolved.
If established, such circumstances would raise legitimate questions regarding consistency in the application of eligibility requirements.
We therefore request the National Secretariat to review all complaints submitted before the election and determine how each was treated.
5. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION AND PRACTISING-FEE RECEIPTS
The Campaign Council has also raised concerns regarding the registration and issuance of NUJ receipts to certain individuals associated with the Correspondents Chapel, BRC Chapel, Albarka Radio Chapel, State Ministry of Information Chapel, BPPC Chapel, Wikki Chapel, Federal Ministry of Information Chapel and AIT Chapel.
There are allegations that some individuals were registered or issued receipts during the electoral period under circumstances in which their eligibility or membership status was disputed.
The Campaign Council does not ask the National Secretariat to accept these allegations as established facts. Rather, we request an independent verification of the records.
In particular, we request that the National Secretariat examine the relevant bank tellers, payment receipts, membership records and other financial documentation connected to practising fees.
This request is made with reference to Article 4 on Finance, pages 7–8, concerning the payment of applicable fees and the role of the National Secretariat.
Such verification would help establish whether the relevant fees were properly paid, whether the persons concerned were duly registered and whether the same eligibility standards were applied consistently across the various chapels.
6. CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS OVER THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
One of the Campaign Council’s principal concerns relates to the constitution and inauguration of the Credentials Committee.
Article 5(9)(a) of the NUJ Constitution, as cited by the Campaign Council, provides for the constitution of the Credentials Committee three months before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent State Working Committee.
According to the records available to us, the Bauchi State Council inaugurated its Credentials Committee on 7 September 2026, approximately 12 days before the expiration of the incumbent State Working Committee’s tenure on 19 September 2026.
We consider this matter sufficiently important to warrant constitutional review by the National Secretariat.
7. NOMINATION OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
The Campaign Council is equally concerned about the procedure reportedly adopted in selecting members of the Credentials Committee.
Article 5(9)(d) is understood to vest responsibility for the nomination of members of the Credentials Committee in Congress.
However, the Campaign Council alleges that the process adopted in Bauchi did not adequately reflect the procedure contemplated by the Constitution, and that the nomination process involved selected chapels and was conducted under circumstances in which the State Chairman allegedly influenced or restricted the nomination process.
We respectfully request the National Secretariat to examine the minutes, attendance records and other relevant documentation relating to the nomination and inauguration of the committee.
The objective should be to establish whether the constitutional procedure was followed.
8. CONSISTENCY IN THE APPLICATION OF MEMBERSHIP AND PRACTISING-FEE REQUIREMENTS
The Campaign Council is also concerned about what it considers possible inconsistencies in the application of membership and practising-fee requirements.
Our position is straightforward: where the Constitution establishes eligibility requirements, those requirements should be applied uniformly to all members.
Members should neither be excluded arbitrarily nor admitted selectively.
We therefore request a comprehensive audit of the eligibility process used for the 2026 election.
9. ₦5 MILLION STATE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR THE ELECTION
The Campaign Council has also raised questions concerning the reported ₦5 million financial support provided by the Bauchi State Government for the conduct of the election.
We believe that any public or institutional funds made available for an electoral process should be accounted for transparently.
Accordingly, we request that the appropriate authorities provide clarification on:
1. The exact amount received;
2. The date and account into which the funds were paid;
3. The purpose for which the funds were released;
4. How the money was expended;
5. Whether any portion was used to pay or regularise practising fees for individual members;
6. The criteria applied in making such payments; and
7. The supporting financial documentation for the expenditure.
If union resources were used to regularise the financial status of members during an electoral process, the circumstances and criteria should be clearly established to ensure that all members were treated equally.
This request is not intended to prejudge any individual or office holder. It is a request for financial transparency and institutional accountability.
THE CENTRAL ISSUE: THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNION
The concerns raised by the Ahmad and Mu’azu Campaign Council go beyond the interests of individual candidates.
They concern the integrity of the NUJ as a professional association and trade union, and the importance of ensuring that its Constitution remains the supreme guide for the conduct of its affairs.
Where constitutional provisions exist, they should apply equally to all members, irrespective of their chapel, position, preferred candidate or relationship with the leadership.
The reported exclusion of eligible members, alleged inclusion of persons whose eligibility was questioned, delayed publication of the voters’ register, questions concerning practising fees and concerns surrounding the constitution of the Credentials Committee therefore deserve transparent and impartial examination.
We believe that an independent review will not weaken the NUJ. On the contrary, it can strengthen confidence in the Union and help resolve outstanding questions through established constitutional mechanisms.
OUR DEMANDS
In view of the foregoing, the Ahmad and Mu’azu Campaign Council respectfully but firmly calls on the National President and appropriate organs of the Nigerian Union of Journalists to:
1. Review the constitution and inauguration of the Bauchi State Council 2026 Credentials Committee against the relevant provisions of the NUJ Constitution.
2. Examine the process through which members of the Credentials Committee were nominated, particularly in relation to Article 5(9)(d).
3. Review the electoral timetable and the circumstances surrounding the late release of the provisional voters’ and candidates’ lists.
4. Examine the claims-and-objections period and determine whether eligible members were given a reasonable opportunity to challenge omissions or irregularities.
5. Conduct an independent verification of the final voters’ register, including all additions, deletions and disputed names.
6. Review the reported exclusion of financial members, including members operating under the check-off system, and determine whether they were treated consistently with other members.
7. Investigate the reported payment or regularisation of practising fees during the electoral period, including the source of funds, beneficiaries and criteria applied.
8. Verify relevant payment records and financial documentation relating to members whose eligibility was disputed.
9. Provide appropriate accountability for the reported ₦5 million support from the Bauchi State Government, including details of receipt and expenditure.
10. Take any further constitutional or administrative steps deemed necessary after the completion of the review.
OUR POSITION
The Ahmad and Mu’azu Campaign Council is not asking for favour.
We are asking for justice.
We are not calling for the punishment of any individual without due process.
We are asking for accountability.
We are not seeking to undermine the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
We are seeking to protect the integrity of the Union and its Constitution.
Our position is that electoral disputes within a professional union should be resolved through evidence, due process and the established constitutional mechanisms of the organisation.
The NUJ belongs to all journalists—not to an individual, faction, candidate or administration.
Its Constitution must therefore protect all eligible journalists equally.
We remain committed to the ideals of unionism, professional journalism, democratic participation and institutional accountability. We will continue to pursue these concerns through lawful and constitutional channels.
Our struggle is not against any individual.
Our concern is the Constitution.
Our demand is justice, transparency and accountability.
Long live the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
Long live unionism.
Long live Nigerian journalists.
Yours sincerely,
Aminu Tahir Goggo
Chairman
Usman A. Shehu
Director-General
Abdulhadi Musa Kobi
Secretary
CC:
- Zonal Vice-President, NUJ, North-East
- Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Bauchi State
- Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Bauchi State Governor
- Chairman, NUJ Bauchi State Council
- Chairman, NUJ Gombe State Council
- Chairman, NUJ Plateau State Council
- Managing Director, BRC Bauchi
- Managing Director, BATV Bauchi
- Managing Director, Eagle Radio Bauchi
- General Manager, NTA Bauchi
- General Manager, Globe FM Bauchi
- General Manager, Albarka Radio Bauchi
- Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria
- Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Bauchi State