Bauchi NUJ Election: Ahmed Mohammed Promises Transparent Leadership

From Paul Orude  Bauchi 

Chairmanship candidate of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council in the September 19 election, Ahmed Mohammed, has expressed appreciation to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel for their confidence and support for his candidacy.

Mohammed spoke when he led his campaign team to the chapel to solicit members’ support ahead of the NUJ election.

Receiving the campaign team on behalf of the Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Auwal Hassan, the chapel’s Secretary, Samuel Luka, described Mohammed as “Mr Transparent”, saying he demonstrated accountability, unity and commitment to the welfare of members during his tenure as chairman.

Luka said Mohammed’s leadership ensured that journalists in the chapel remained productive while also promoting unity among members.

“Throughout your leadership, you ensured that every journalist in the chapel was productive and that unity was maintained at all cost. We really appreciate you for coming home out of your respect and love for members of the chapel,” he said.

He described Mohammed’s visit as a homecoming, recalling the contributions he made during his six-year tenure as chairman.

“You left an indelible mark throughout your six years in office, and this call to service that you have accepted despite your resolve to rest is an honour. We pray that God will see you through your vision,” Luka said.

The chapel secretary also appealed to all contestants and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and with mutual respect.

“We are grateful that the last time the other team came, we made an appeal that there should be issue-based campaigns and respect for one another so that, as one family, the election will be peaceful,” he said.

Responding, Mohammed said his decision to contest the chairmanship was largely driven by calls from members who wanted him to provide leadership that would promote justice, transparency and the welfare of journalists across the state.

He said he initially had no intention of seeking another leadership position after serving two terms as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, but was persuaded by members who approached him and even purchased his nomination form.

“I sought their advice and initially declined, but they convinced me and even bought the form for me. Even going round for the campaign, it is the members that are doing it. This love has shocked me and has become a challenge for me.

“If given the opportunity, we will do our best to justify the confidence reposed in us,” he said.

Mohammed said the experience had convinced him that members were looking for leadership that would protect their interests and ensure justice within the union.

According to him, the Correspondents’ Chapel is currently the only one among the 11 NUJ chapels in the state actively engaged in regular activities, stressing that his vision was to strengthen all the chapels.

“My vision is to strengthen all the chapels so that they can begin to think of what to do to improve the welfare of their members,” he said.

Mohammed also promised to run a transparent administration, particularly in the management of union funds.

“What people need is justice, and anytime we get money, we must be transparent. We cannot collect millions of naira and allow a few people to spend the money,” he said.

He said his administration at the Correspondents’ Chapel prioritised members’ welfare and regular meetings, adding that transparency and accountability remained central to his leadership philosophy.

He urged journalists seeking leadership positions to regard public office as a responsibility rather than an opportunity to enrich themselves.

“We must not touch people’s money. When you serve people, God will bless you. That is my life story,” he said.

Mohammed said he would not accept a situation where millions of naira belonging to the union would be spent without the involvement of a committee.

“I cannot collect ₦10 million without a committee being involved. 

Throughout my chairmanship of the chapel, I only became a member of a committee once, and we are the only chapel that calls regular meetings,” he said.

He thanked members of the Correspondents’ Chapel for their encouragement and support and appealed for their continued backing, promising that an Ahmed Mohammed-led council would operate an accountable and transparent administration.

Earlier, the Campaign Director, Abass Usman Gugura, said the decision to support Ahmed Mohammed was based on the belief that effective leadership should begin from the top.

He said the campaign team had also fielded candidates for other positions and intended to align their initiatives with Mohammed’s vision if elected.

“Why we are supporting Ahmed Mohammed is to build on what the outgoing executive has done. After wide consultations, we believe Ahmed Mohammed, who has done well as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel by bringing peace and development, can extend the same gesture as Council Chairman of the NUJ,” Gugura said.

He claimed that during Mohammed’s tenure as Correspondents’ Chapel chairman, more than ₦50 million had been mobilised to support members facing health challenges.

Gugura also credited Mohammed with introducing initiatives that enabled members to benefit from farming opportunities, industrial training funds and other welfare programmes.

He expressed confidence that similar initiatives would benefit journalists across the state if Mohammed became council chairman.

Gugura also spoke about the candidacy of Muazu Hassan, who is contesting for Secretary, saying Hassan had served as Chairman of the NTA Chapel and had contributed significantly to the development of his members.

Gugura further alleged that several breaches of the NUJ Constitution had occurred and that some members had remained silent because of fear of confrontation.

He alleged that the council had received funds from the state government without adequately explaining to members how the money was utilised.

He also questioned the removal of the names of 15 members from the voters’ list less than 24 hours before the election, describing the development as unfair to those affected.

“Those whose names were removed, and who paid their check-up dues from source, will they complain? If the NUJ registered people in July, those who want to register should be allowed to do so in the name of justice,” he said.

He also criticised the election guidelines, alleging that they were produced within 10 days of the election and arguing that members should have been given equal opportunity to participate.

Gugura, however, said the campaign would respect the outcome of a genuinely free and fair election.

“If a free and fair contest is conducted and my co-contestant wins, I will congratulate him. But we cannot support this kind of arrangement,” he said.

He appealed to journalists to come out and vote, saying the campaign was seeking to restore confidence in the union and ensure adherence to the NUJ Constitution.

In his remarks, Muazu Hassan said the campaign was not about seeking leadership positions for their own sake but about contributing to a stronger and more vibrant NUJ.

He said some journalists had become discouraged from participating in union activities because of what he described as intimidation.

Hassan recalled his experience as Chairman of the NTA Chapel, alleging that although he was unanimously re-elected, the state council refused to inaugurate him because he did not support its preferred candidate.

According to him, such action was contrary to the NUJ Constitution.

He said the State Executive Council, as an important decision-making body of the union, had a responsibility to uphold justice, due process and the provisions of the Constitution.

Hassan appealed to members to set sentiments aside and consider Ahmed Mohammed based on his record at the Correspondents’ Chapel.

He also pleaded with anyone who might have been offended by Mohammed during his tenure as chapel chairman to forgive him.

He urged members to support the candidates if they believed they had something meaningful to offer the union.