By Usman A Shehu
The controversy surrounding the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Bauchi State Council election has taken another turn, as the Ahmad and Mu’azu Campaign Council formally petitioned the NUJ National Secretariat, calling for an independent review of the electoral process.
The petition centres on the September 19, 2026 election and raises questions over the constitution of the Credentials Committee, preparation and publication of the voters’ register, membership verification, practising-fee requirements and the alleged exclusion of some journalists from voting.
According to the petitioners, their action is not aimed at declaring allegations as established facts, but at requesting the National Secretariat to examine the relevant records and determine whether the election complied with the NUJ Constitution.
A major issue raised is the timing and procedure for constituting the Credentials Committee. The petitioners want the National Secretariat to examine Congress minutes, attendance records, nomination resolutions and other documents to establish whether the committee was constituted in accordance with applicable constitutional provisions.
The petition also questions the handling of the voters’ register, alleging that some members from the Ministry of Information, NTA and other chapels were excluded from voting.
Particular attention was drawn to Article 3(1) of the NUJ Constitution, which states that a person shall not be a member of the Union unless recognised by the National Secretariat on the recommendation of the State Council.
On that basis, the campaign council is asking the National Secretariat to verify the membership status of disputed voters and determine whether the same eligibility requirements were applied consistently to those included and excluded from the register.
Another issue concerns practising and professional fees. The petition alleges that some journalists were denied voting rights over fee-related issues and asks the national body to determine the precise constitutional basis for such exclusions and whether the requirement was uniformly applied.
The petitioners are also demanding the preservation and production of relevant electoral records, including chapel membership lists, preliminary and final voters’ registers, accreditation records, fee-payment records, complaints and objections, ballot-account documents and result sheets.
They further called for an independent review panel comprising persons who were not directly involved in the disputed electoral process.
The campaign council maintained that its complaint goes beyond the fortunes of individual candidates, arguing that the central questions are whether established rules were followed, whether qualified journalists were treated consistently and whether the electoral register accurately reflected those entitled to participate.
While stressing its commitment to peace, professionalism and the unity of the NUJ, the council urged the National Secretariat to allow documentary evidence to determine the merits of the complaints and to take appropriate action under the Union’s Constitution should material violations be established.
The petition consequently places the matter before the national leadership of the journalists’ union, with attention now focused on how the Secretariat will respond to the request for an independent examination of the September 19 election.
Published by Alphapressmedia.com
