Bauchi NUJ Warns Against Unverified Reports On Imam

The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has cautioned journalists against publishing unverified reports alleging that an Imam in Bauchi State was removed from his position for campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Recall that there was a report alleging that one Dahiru Abubakar claimed he was removed as an Imam at a mosque in Madina Quarters, Bauchi, over his support for Tinubu’s campaign.

The council, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its chairman, Comrade Isah Garba Gadau, and secretary, Isiyaka Ismail Wunti, expressed concern over the circulation and amplification of the allegation on social media and other media platforms without adequate investigation or independent verification.

The NUJ said its preliminary inquiries revealed that there is no evidence that the individual at the centre of the controversy had ever been appointed or served as an Imam in any mosque within Bauchi metropolis or elsewhere in the state.

According to the council, its findings also suggested that the individual was primarily engaged in political activities, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his claim.

The council noted that the reports failed to identify the mosque where the alleged removal took place, its location, the authorities responsible for the purported decision or the reasons behind the action.

It stressed that journalists should have contacted the relevant mosque leadership or management committee to establish the facts before publishing the reports.

The NUJ described the incident as a reminder of the dangers of relying solely on an individual’s claims without seeking independent confirmation or obtaining responses from relevant parties.

It emphasised that issues involving religion and partisan politics require particular caution because of their potential to generate tension, fuel misunderstandings and undermine public peace.

The Council also expressed concern over what it described as inadequate scrutiny of the individual’s background and public statements before his claims were amplified.

It urged journalists to exercise sound editorial judgment and clearly distinguish between verified facts, allegations, personal opinions and political claims.

With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Council warned journalists against allowing political interests, personal considerations or the pursuit of public attention to compromise professional standards.

It reiterated that accuracy, fairness, objectivity, balance and accountability remain fundamental principles of responsible journalism.

While reaffirming its commitment to press freedom and the media’s constitutional responsibility to hold public officeholders and institutions accountable, the Council stressed that these responsibilities must be exercised in accordance with established professional and ethical standards.

The NUJ therefore urged journalists and media organisations in Bauchi State to strengthen their fact-checking procedures, verify information through credible sources, seek responses from affected parties and provide adequate context before publishing sensitive reports, particularly those involving religion, politics and security.

It further warned that persistent disregard for established journalistic standards would not be treated lightly, assuring the public that the Union would continue to promote professionalism and safeguard the integrity of the journalism profession.

The statement reaffirmed the Bauchi State NUJ Council’s commitment to responsible journalism, urging all media practitioners to prioritise truth, verification and the public interest in the discharge of their duties.