JNI, Alkalanci Train 85 Gombe Clerics, Imams on Fact-Checking Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI), Gombe State chapter, in partnership with Alkalanci, has trained 85 Islamic clerics, Imams and Tsangaya teachers on fact-checking, media and information literacy to curb the spread of misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The two-day step-down training, held in Gombe, convened religious leaders from all 11 local government areas of the state. The programme followed Alkalanci’s fact-checking and media literacy training conducted in Gombe in April 2026, where some JNI members participated.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary-General of JNI, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, represented by Ustaz Yusuf Sa’id, said religious leaders have a vital responsibility in protecting their communities from false information.

“Politicians often exploit clerics and religious platforms to spread disinformation for political gain. Religious leaders must be more discerning and use the knowledge gained from this training to protect their congregations from manipulation,” he said.

Also speaking, the Sarkin Bai of Gombe, Ambassador Yerima Abdullahi, urged clerics to ensure that only verified information is shared during sermons and public engagements.

“As custodians of public trust, clerics and Imams have a responsibility to verify information before disseminating it to their followers. We must avoid spreading propaganda or unverified claims,” he said.

The Editor of Alkalanci, Alhassan Bala, commended the Gombe chapter of JNI for organising the step-down training, describing it as a significant outcome of the organisation’s media literacy initiative.

“Gombe was one of the states where we conducted training this year, and I am happy to say you are now the first to organise a step-down training. This is another impact of what we have been doing,” Bala said.

He warned that misinformation is often deliberately created by individuals within and outside the country who exploit emotions and religious sentiments to manipulate the public.

The training featured practical sessions on identifying fake news, verifying sources, and understanding the dangers of sharing unverified information, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.

At the end of the programme, participants pledged to take the knowledge back to their communities and encourage the public to verify information before sharing it, stressing that truthfulness and avoiding falsehood are core teachings of Islam.