The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, has called on political actors to focus their campaigns on policies and programmes capable of addressing the challenges facing citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union also urged journalists to remain politically neutral and professionally independent as political activities gather momentum.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s congress held on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre, Zuru Road, Sokoto.
The communiqué was signed by the council’s Chairman, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji, and Secretary, Muhammad Nasir Bello.
The council urged political actors to avoid inflammatory statements and personal attacks, saying, ‘Political actors should shun campaigns of calumny, character assassination and inflammatory rhetoric, and conduct issue-based campaigns centred on policies, programmes and solutions to the challenges facing citizens.’
It also charged journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy, fairness and independence in their coverage of political activities.
According to the communiqué, ‘The Congress directed journalists to maintain political neutrality, non-partisanship and professional independence, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.’
The union described journalism as a critical pillar of democracy and urged practitioners to use their platforms to promote accountability and report issues of public interest.
‘The Congress reaffirmed the pivotal role of journalism as a pillar of democracy and charged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, fairness and independence in promoting public accountability, exposing wrongdoing and reporting matters of public interest,’ it stated.
On the security of media practitioners, the council expressed concern over the continued insecurity in the country and called on governments at all levels to strengthen measures to protect lives and property.
It also urged journalists and media organisations to hold press conferences at the NUJ Press Centre whenever possible, except in compelling circumstances.
The council said the measure was aimed at ‘enhancing the safety and security of journalists’ amid the prevailing security challenges.
The congress further called for increased support for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups affected by insecurity.
It urged governments and relevant stakeholders to establish and expand skills acquisition centres for Almajiri children, IDPs and out-of-school children.
Such initiatives, it said, would help ‘equip them with sustainable livelihood skills and reduce their vulnerability.’
On public health, the NUJ expressed concern over reported cases of diphtheria and called for intensified public enlightenment campaigns.
It also reminded journalists of the need to verify health-related information before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The council said, ‘The Congress charged journalists to verify health information before publication and promote responsible health-seeking behaviour among the public.’
The union commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for the subsidised sale of rice, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to citizens, urging the state government to sustain the measures.
It said the interventions should be strengthened to support farmers, improve food access and enhance food security.
The congress also commended the governor’s wife, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, for providing humanitarian assistance to communities affected by banditry in Kebbe, Yabo, Bodinga, Shagari, Binji, Tangaza, Rabah and Wurno Local Government Areas.
The council called for the expansion of humanitarian support to vulnerable communities affected by insecurity.
The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, professional ethics, democratic accountability and peaceful coexistence, urging governments, security agencies, political actors, media organisations and citizens to support the media in promoting an informed and accountable society.