A senior official at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has broken his silence, alleging a sustained and well-funded campaign of "mercenary journalism" aimed at destabilizing the commission's leadership. Ahmad Muazu, the Technical Assistant in Media at NAHCON, detailed how a pattern of hostile reporting has created false narratives around the commission, particularly targeting its Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
The Anatomy of a Coordinated Media Attack
Muazu, writing from his perspective as an insider, stated that a predictable storm of negative headlines began shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 Hajj. He described the coverage not as legitimate scrutiny but as a "spectacle" driven by intent rather than inquiry. According to him, the public has been fed a relentless march of stories orchestrated by journalists-for-hire, designed to erode confidence and unsettle the commission's apex leadership.
The objective, he claims, is surgical character assassination disguised as accountability journalism. The narratives are reportedly built to apply pressure, extract concessions, or force access, with public interest serving merely as a costume for what he termed "ransom journalism." Muazu emphasized that these campaigns are already being seeded in preparation for the 2026 Hajj, calling it premeditation rather than foresight.
Questionable Methods and Hollow Substance
Muazu critically analyzed the methods employed in these reports. He pointed out a consistent pattern where stories cite anonymous, faceless insiders and reference unidentifiable senior officials. They often quote experts who display little understanding of the operational, legal, and diplomatic complexities of Hajj administration.
He accused the writers of bypassing the fundamental journalistic principles of verification and fair hearing. A common tactic, he noted, is the use of a ritual disclaimer—a single line stating that attempts to reach the Commission were unsuccessful—to excuse the absence of balance and the other side of the story. "This is not diligence, but a self-serving hatchet job," Muazu asserted.
Notably, he observed that established media institutions with reputations to protect have largely avoided these claims because the allegations collapse when editors demand documentation and solid facts. The rumours, he said, migrate to platforms with flexible standards where they can survive.
NAHCON's Resilience and a Call to the Public
In response to the attacks, Muazu clarified that NAHCON is a statutory body established by the NAHCON Act of 2006, not an organization fragile enough to be shaken by sensational headlines. He stated that the Commission, with its mandate to serve Nigerian pilgrims, has endured pressure before and will continue its work grounded in law and purpose.
His final appeal was directed at the Nigerian public. He urged people to pay attention to patterns and to question stories that are heavy on accusation but light on verifiable proof. "The public deserves clarity, not confusion," he wrote, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between genuine watchdog journalism and coordinated pressure disguised as concern.
Muazu concluded by affirming that the Chairman and the board would continue to discharge their mandate, supported by the legal framework of the commission and its service-oriented purpose.
