NUJ Sokoto Urges Political Neutrality, Journalist Safety Ahead of 2027 Elections
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, has called on journalists to maintain political neutrality, professionalism and independence as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union made the call in a communiqué jointly signed by the NUJ Sokoto State Council Chairman, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji, and Secretary, Muhammad Nasir Bello at the end of its congress held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the NUJ Press Centre, Zuru Road, Sokoto.
The Congress reaffirmed journalism’s role as a pillar of democracy, urging practitioners to uphold accuracy, fairness and professional ethics while promoting accountability and reporting matters of public interest.
It also called on political actors to shun campaigns of calumny, character assassination and inflammatory rhetoric, urging them to focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and solutions to the challenges confronting citizens.
On security, the NUJ expressed concern over persistent insecurity and urged governments at all levels to strengthen measures to protect lives and property and address the root causes of insecurity.
The Congress further urged journalists and media organisations to restrict press conferences to the NUJ Press Centre, except where compelling circumstances require otherwise, as part of efforts to enhance journalists’ safety.
On internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups, the union called for stronger interventions and urged governments and stakeholders to establish and expand skills acquisition centres for Almajiri children, IDPs and out-of-school children.
The NUJ also expressed concern over reported cases of diphtheria in the state, calling for intensified public enlightenment campaigns and urging journalists to verify health information before publication.
On food security, the Congress commended Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for the subsidised sale of rice, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs to citizens, urging the government to sustain and strengthen the interventions.
The union also commended the wife of the governor, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, for her humanitarian interventions, particularly the distribution of food items to communities affected by banditry in Kebbe, Yabo, Bodinga, Shagari, Binji, Tangaza, Rabah and Wurno Local Government Areas.
The Congress called for the expansion and sustenance of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities affected by insecurity.
The NUJ Sokoto State Council reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom, upholding professional ethics, promoting democratic accountability and peaceful coexistence, while calling on governments, political actors, security agencies, media organisations and citizens to support the media in building a peaceful and informed society.
