IBy smaila Ibrahim Dutse
The Jigawa State Government notes with deep concern a malicious and unfounded article published by two online platforms. The National Update and The Syndicate, on November 5, 2025. The said publication falsely alleges procurement irregularities in the recent donation of operational vehicles to the Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force. This mischievous report is clearly intended to mislead the public and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the present administration.
While we respect the constitutional right to freedom of information and expression, such rights must not be abused to promote falsehood or personal vendettas. Responsible journalism requires accuracy, fairness, and balance principles that are sadly absent in the said publication. Journalists, by the ethics of their professional calling, are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity which governs the working conduct of every member of the pen profession.
It is particularly regrettable that the author of the story, Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse, a permanent staff of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (Jigawa State Office), has been consistently associated with unprofessional conduct and has often been used by political detractors to attack the state or impugn on the personality of its officials. Reports available to us indicate that he writes under multiple aliases for various media outlets, a practice that violates the ethical standards of journalism. Accordingly, we hereby call on the Federal Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris to investigate this breach of civil service rules and take appropriate disciplinary action.
For the avoidance of doubt, the procurement process for the said vehicles strictly followed all due process requirements in line with the Public Procurement Act. The contract was duly advertised in Blueprint and People’s Daily newspapers on August 27, 2025. Furthermore, a Due Process “No Objection” certificate was issued, with referenced NO, DPPMB/SSD/PROJ/025/VOL.1/003, dated July 4, 2025, and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government before the award of the contract.
It should also be clearly understood that the approval captured in the Jigawa State Executive Council resolutions of November 3, 2025, refers to the second phase of the vehicle procurement, which is intended for other security agencies operating in the State. The contract was awarded only after a transparent and competitive selection process to the most qualified company, contrary to the baseless insinuation of a “verbal award” to a Council member.
In light of these clarifications, the Jigawa State Government hereby gives the publishers of the defamatory story 48 hours to retract the publication and issue a public apology, failing which appropriate legal action will be instituted to protect the integrity of the government and the public interest.
The Government urges all journalists and media organizations to uphold the noble ethics of their profession by verifying facts before publication. Freedom of the press must go hand in hand with responsibility, accuracy, and truth. The administration of Governor Malam Umar remains committed to transparency, accountability, and strengthening partnerships with credible media professionals for the collective progress of Jigawa State.
Dutse, Public Relations Officer, Office of the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State , writes in from Dutse