From Idris Khalid, Bauchi
Isah Garba Gadau of the Bauchi State Television (BATV) has emerged chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, while Khalid Idris Doya of LEADERSHIP Newspapers was elected Financial Secretary.
The duo emerged alongside other members of the new executive council during the 2026 NUJ Bauchi State Council election held on Saturday in Bauchi.
Gadau polled 83 votes to defeat his challenger, Ahmed Muhammad of the Correspondents’ Chapel, who secured 47 votes in the keenly contested chairmanship election.
In the secretaryship race, Isiyaka Ismail Wunti of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) emerged victorious with 94 votes, defeating Mu’azu Hassan of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who polled 47 votes.
Other elected executive members include Danjuma Sarki Sale of the Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC), who emerged vice chairman; Aliyu M. Sambo of BATV, assistant secretary; Adama Ibrahim of the State Information Chapel, Treasurer; Khalid Idris Doya of the Correspondents’ Chapel, financial secretary; and Ibrahim Abubakar of Radio Nigeria, auditor.
Inaugurating the new executive council, the national President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, charged the newly elected leaders to uphold integrity, trust and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The NUJ national president, who was represented by the Zonal Vice President, Mr. Zare Baba, said the primary responsibility before the new leadership was to advance journalism practice and improve the quality of journalism in the state.
He also commended the immediate past chairman, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, for his contributions to the development of the union and urged the new executives to conduct their affairs with honesty, fairness and accountability.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman-elect, Comrade Isah Garba Gadau, pledged that his administration would prioritise the welfare of journalists, professional training and development, as well as the safety and security of media practitioners in the state.
He said the new executive would work to ensure that journalists were adequately supported, better equipped and able to perform their duties without fear.
“I accept this mandate with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to all members of our great union,” he said.
Gadau also pledged strict adherence to the NUJ Constitution and Code of Ethics, noting that the credibility of journalism and the respect accorded the profession depended on commitment to professional standards.
He said his administration would consolidate the achievements of previous administrations rather than discard existing initiatives that had yielded positive results.
“We will not discard what has worked; rather, we will strengthen it, improve it and introduce new initiatives where necessary,” he said.
The chairman-elect further promised to run an administration based on unity, inclusiveness, accountability and mutual respect, adding that he would work with all chapels, members and stakeholders for the progress of the NUJ in Bauchi State.
He congratulated all contestants and appealed to members who supported other candidates to join hands with the new leadership for the advancement of the union.
“The election is over; we are now one union, with one purpose and one responsibility, to advance the interests of journalists and strengthen our profession,” he said.
Gadau also commended the Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for the remodelling of the NUJ Secretariat, saying the project had given the premises a new look.
He expressed hope that the project would be completed and commissioned soon.
Meanwhile, the IGG Campaign Council, under the leadership of Mr. Ishola Michael Adeyemi, congratulated Gadau, Isiyaka Ismail and all other successful candidates on their emergence.
The council also commended members of the NUJ for their participation in the election and urged the new leadership to remain committed to unity, professionalism, journalists’ welfare and the continued development of the union.
