Ahmed–Mu’azu Campaign Council Questions Continued Possession of Union Vehicle, Seeks Probe of Secretariat Project, Auction Proceeds and ₦5m Election Fund
…Accuses New Leadership of Inaction, Alleged Victimisation as Election Petition Awaits National Secretariat’s Intervention
BAUCHI, October 20, 2026 — Barely one month after the inauguration of a new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, fresh controversy has erupted within the union following allegations that its immediate past Chairman, Umar Saeed, has yet to formally hand over the council’s affairs and official vehicle to his successor.
The development has triggered concerns over accountability, constitutional compliance and leadership responsibility, with the Ahmed–Mu’azu Campaign Council, which participated in the September 19, 2026 council election, demanding urgent intervention by the national and zonal leadership of the union to prevent further deterioration of confidence among members.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Aminu Tahir Goggo; its Secretary, Abdulhadi; and Director-General, Usman A. Abbas, the group expressed disappointment over what it described as the failure of the former leadership to complete a proper handover despite the expiration of its tenure and the inauguration of new executives.
The Campaign Council maintained that the alleged failure to transfer the union’s official vehicle and other responsibilities raises serious questions about institutional discipline and respect for the NUJ constitution.
It equally criticised what it described as the apparent inability of the newly inaugurated state executives to assert their authority and safeguard the collective interests of journalists in Bauchi State.
According to the statement, the situation has created unnecessary tension within the union at a time when members expect the new leadership to promote reconciliation, transparency and constitutional order.
The group demanded the immediate recovery of the council’s official vehicle from the former Chairman, insisting that union property must remain under the custody and control of duly constituted leadership.
Beyond the handover controversy, the Campaign Council called for a comprehensive explanation of the financial and administrative arrangements surrounding the ongoing construction of the new NUJ State Secretariat by the Bauchi State Government.
It urged the national leadership, the relevant zonal authorities and the current state executives to compel the former Chairman to provide a detailed account of the project’s implementation, including its present status and outstanding obligations.
The group further recommended that, following a formal handover, the new leadership should constitute a credible monitoring committee to oversee the completion of the secretariat project and submit periodic reports to the council.
It argued that the construction project represents a major institutional investment that must be protected through proper documentation, transparency and effective supervision.
In another development, the Campaign Council demanded a full accounting of funds allegedly realised from the auction of union properties during the tenure of the immediate past administration.
It also sought clarification on the management and expenditure of the ₦5 million reportedly donated to the union towards the conduct of its recent general election.
According to the statement, members deserve to know how the funds were received, administered and utilised, with relevant financial records made available for scrutiny.
The group insisted that such demands should not be interpreted as personal attacks but as legitimate calls for accountability in the management of a professional organisation.
The Campaign Council also raised concerns over the collection and remittance of journalists’ practising and professional fees, calling for the production of authentic bank payment tellers, dates of payment and identifiable records of individual members.
It maintained that the amended NUJ Constitution requires payments to be made into the union’s designated national account and urged the leadership to ensure uniform application of the relevant provisions.
The group specifically referenced payment records involving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and Albarka Radio, arguing that all members should be subjected to the same constitutional requirements without preferential treatment.
“Justice must be for all. You cannot apply selective justice to a few members while denying others the same rights and protections,” the statement declared.
The Campaign Council further expressed concern over the alleged removal of its Director-General, Usman A. Abbas, from the Bauchi State NUJ WhatsApp platform after he reportedly circulated concerns relating to the affairs of the council.
It described the action, allegedly taken by the new State Chairman, as unnecessary and capable of deepening divisions among journalists.
According to the group, the new leadership should concentrate on securing a comprehensive handover, recovering union property and strengthening internal accountability rather than engaging in actions perceived as targeting individuals associated with opposing camps during the election.
The statement maintained that differences arising from the last election should not become grounds for discrimination or exclusion from legitimate union activities.
It called on the new executives to demonstrate fairness, tolerance and respect for members’ constitutional rights, irrespective of their political alignment within the union.
The Campaign Council warned that the unresolved handover controversy, continued possession of the official vehicle by the former Chairman and allegations of selective treatment of members were contributing to growing unease within the Bauchi journalism community.
It stressed that the NUJ, as a professional body entrusted with defending press freedom, justice, transparency and accountability, must uphold those same principles in its internal administration.
The group also confirmed that it had already submitted a formal petition to the National Secretariat of the NUJ concerning alleged irregularities and constitutional violations during the September 19, 2026 State Council election.
It expressed confidence that the national leadership, under NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, would carefully examine the petition and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the union’s constitution.
The Campaign Council disclosed that it was awaiting the outcome of the national leadership’s intervention before considering further lawful steps to pursue its grievances.
It nevertheless appealed to the national and zonal leadership of the union to intervene immediately in the emerging administrative controversy and ensure that all outstanding handover obligations are resolved.
The group maintained that its demands were motivated by the need to protect the integrity of the union, preserve members’ confidence and prevent the concentration of collective assets and privileges in the hands of individuals no longer constitutionally entitled to exercise control over them.
It urged the newly elected state executives to rise above electoral divisions and demonstrate that their leadership represents all journalists in Bauchi State, rather than any particular faction or interest group.
The Campaign Council concluded by reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, fairness and the peaceful resolution of disputes within the union.
The allegations concerning the former Chairman, the council’s finances, the official vehicle and the actions of the new leadership remain claims made by the Campaign Council. Responses from Umar Saeed and the current Bauchi NUJ leadership were not available at the time of preparing this report.
Published by Alphapressmedia.comTENSION ROCKS BAUCHI NUJ AS EX-CHAIRMAN FACES HANDOVER CONTROVERSY, DEMANDS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
…Ahmed–Mu’azu Campaign Council Questions Continued Possession of Union Vehicle, Seeks Probe of Secretariat Project, Auction Proceeds and ₦5m Election Fund
…Accuses New Leadership of Inaction, Alleged Victimisation as Election Petition Awaits National Secretariat’s Intervention
BAUCHI, October 20, 2026 — Barely one month after the inauguration of a new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, fresh controversy has erupted within the union following allegations that its immediate past Chairman, Umar Saeed, has yet to formally hand over the council’s affairs and official vehicle to his successor.
The development has triggered concerns over accountability, constitutional compliance and leadership responsibility, with the Ahmed–Mu’azu Campaign Council, which participated in the September 19, 2026 council election, demanding urgent intervention by the national and zonal leadership of the union to prevent further deterioration of confidence among members.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Aminu Tahir Goggo; its Secretary, Abdulhadi; and Director-General, Usman A. Abbas, the group expressed disappointment over what it described as the failure of the former leadership to complete a proper handover despite the expiration of its tenure and the inauguration of new executives.
The Campaign Council maintained that the alleged failure to transfer the union’s official vehicle and other responsibilities raises serious questions about institutional discipline and respect for the NUJ constitution.
It equally criticised what it described as the apparent inability of the newly inaugurated state executives to assert their authority and safeguard the collective interests of journalists in Bauchi State.
According to the statement, the situation has created unnecessary tension within the union at a time when members expect the new leadership to promote reconciliation, transparency and constitutional order.
The group demanded the immediate recovery of the council’s official vehicle from the former Chairman, insisting that union property must remain under the custody and control of duly constituted leadership.
Beyond the handover controversy, the Campaign Council called for a comprehensive explanation of the financial and administrative arrangements surrounding the ongoing construction of the new NUJ State Secretariat by the Bauchi State Government.
It urged the national leadership, the relevant zonal authorities and the current state executives to compel the former Chairman to provide a detailed account of the project’s implementation, including its present status and outstanding obligations.
The group further recommended that, following a formal handover, the new leadership should constitute a credible monitoring committee to oversee the completion of the secretariat project and submit periodic reports to the council.
It argued that the construction project represents a major institutional investment that must be protected through proper documentation, transparency and effective supervision.
In another development, the Campaign Council demanded a full accounting of funds allegedly realised from the auction of union properties during the tenure of the immediate past administration.
It also sought clarification on the management and expenditure of the ₦5 million reportedly donated to the union towards the conduct of its recent general election.
According to the statement, members deserve to know how the funds were received, administered and utilised, with relevant financial records made available for scrutiny.
The group insisted that such demands should not be interpreted as personal attacks but as legitimate calls for accountability in the management of a professional organisation.
The Campaign Council also raised concerns over the collection and remittance of journalists’ practising and professional fees, calling for the production of authentic bank payment tellers, dates of payment and identifiable records of individual members.
It maintained that the amended NUJ Constitution requires payments to be made into the union’s designated national account and urged the leadership to ensure uniform application of the relevant provisions.
The group specifically referenced payment records involving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and Albarka Radio, arguing that all members should be subjected to the same constitutional requirements without preferential treatment.
“Justice must be for all. You cannot apply selective justice to a few members while denying others the same rights and protections,” the statement declared.
The Campaign Council further expressed concern over the alleged removal of its Director-General, Usman A. Abbas, from the Bauchi State NUJ WhatsApp platform after he reportedly circulated concerns relating to the affairs of the council.
It described the action, allegedly taken by the new State Chairman, as unnecessary and capable of deepening divisions among journalists.
According to the group, the new leadership should concentrate on securing a comprehensive handover, recovering union property and strengthening internal accountability rather than engaging in actions perceived as targeting individuals associated with opposing camps during the election.
The statement maintained that differences arising from the last election should not become grounds for discrimination or exclusion from legitimate union activities.
It called on the new executives to demonstrate fairness, tolerance and respect for members’ constitutional rights, irrespective of their political alignment within the union.
The Campaign Council warned that the unresolved handover controversy, continued possession of the official vehicle by the former Chairman and allegations of selective treatment of members were contributing to growing unease within the Bauchi journalism community.
It stressed that the NUJ, as a professional body entrusted with defending press freedom, justice, transparency and accountability, must uphold those same principles in its internal administration.
The group also confirmed that it had already submitted a formal petition to the National Secretariat of the NUJ concerning alleged irregularities and constitutional violations during the September 19, 2026 State Council election.
It expressed confidence that the national leadership, under NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, would carefully examine the petition and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the union’s constitution.
The Campaign Council disclosed that it was awaiting the outcome of the national leadership’s intervention before considering further lawful steps to pursue its grievances.
It nevertheless appealed to the national and zonal leadership of the union to intervene immediately in the emerging administrative controversy and ensure that all outstanding handover obligations are resolved.
The group maintained that its demands were motivated by the need to protect the integrity of the union, preserve members’ confidence and prevent the concentration of collective assets and privileges in the hands of individuals no longer constitutionally entitled to exercise control over them.
It urged the newly elected state executives to rise above electoral divisions and demonstrate that their leadership represents all journalists in Bauchi State, rather than any particular faction or interest group.
The Campaign Council concluded by reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, fairness and the peaceful resolution of disputes within the union.
The allegations concerning the former Chairman, the council’s finances, the official vehicle and the actions of the new leadership remain claims made by the Campaign Council. Responses from Umar Saeed and the current Bauchi NUJ leadership were not available at the time of preparing this report.
Published by Alphapressmedia.com
