Ahmed–Mu’azu Council Demands Probe of Bauchi NUJ Finances, Handover
Danladi Ayuba
The Ahmed–Mu’azu Campaign Council has called for an investigation into the financial management and administrative affairs of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, following allegations of incomplete handover by the immediate past leadership.
The council also demanded the recovery of the union’s official vehicle, an account of proceeds from the auction of union properties and clarification on the management of ₦5 million reportedly donated towards the September 19, 2026, state council election.
The demands were contained in a statement jointly signed by the campaign council’s Chairman, Aminu Tahir Goggo; Secretary, Abdulhadi; and Director-General, Usman A. Abbas.
The group alleged that the immediate past chairman, Umar Saeed, had yet to complete the formal handover of the council’s affairs and official vehicle to the newly inaugurated executives.
It urged the NUJ national and zonal leadership to intervene and ensure the transfer of all union property and relevant administrative records to the current leadership.
The campaign council also called for a comprehensive account of the ongoing construction of the new state secretariat being undertaken by the Bauchi State Government.
It recommended that the new executives establish a credible monitoring committee after the handover to supervise the project, document its progress and provide periodic reports to members.
On financial accountability, the group demanded details of funds realised from the auction of union properties during the previous administration, alongside records showing how the reported ₦5 million election donation was received, managed and spent.
It further called for the production of authentic bank payment tellers and other records relating to journalists’ practising and professional fees.
According to the statement, the amended NUJ Constitution requires such payments to be made into the union’s designated national account.
The group cited records involving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and Albarka Radio, insisting that the relevant constitutional provisions should be applied uniformly to all members.
“Justice must be for all. You cannot apply selective justice to a few members while denying others the same rights and protections,” the statement said.
The campaign council also alleged that its Director-General had been removed from the Bauchi State NUJ WhatsApp platform after raising concerns about the council’s affairs.
It urged the new leadership to promote reconciliation and avoid actions perceived as victimisation of members associated with opposing camps during the election.
The group said it had submitted a petition to the NUJ National Secretariat over alleged irregularities and constitutional violations during the September 19 election.
It expressed confidence that the national leadership, under President Alhassan Yahaya, would examine the petition and address the grievances in accordance with the union’s constitution.
The campaign council said it was awaiting the outcome of the national leadership’s intervention while urging the relevant authorities to resolve the outstanding administrative issues.
It maintained that its demands were aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and unity within the union.
However, the allegations against the former chairman and the new leadership could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report. Responses from Saeed and the current Bauchi NUJ executives were also not available.
