- Dismisses viral video claims, cautions against fake social media contents
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Bauchi State Government has officially dismissed widespread rumors regarding regulated marriage costs, clarifying that no mandatory or legally fixed dowry rate exists for women across the state.
Pointedly, the government said marriage bride prices remain completely unregulated in the North-East state, declaring that at no time did it approved any specific amount of money as the so-called dowry.
Accordingly, it dismissed as completely ‘false and misleading’, a viral video currently circulating on social media platforms, particularly Facebook and TikTok with contrary claims
The trending recording claimed that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has approved a fixed dowry of ₦1,500 for divorced women who are approached by suitors for marriage.
Allegedly circulated by individuals the government described as mischief-makers, the widely shared clip also alleged that the traditional ruler of Zar (Gum Zar) has ordered residents in his community to immediately comply with the purported government policy.
Interestingly too, a social media user identified as Boroh James Hussaini alleged that the dowry for a single woman, who had given birth outside marriage, would be ₦3,000, while unmarried women who remained at home for a long time without giving birth would be married off to drivers free of charge.
But addressing journalists in Bauchi, the State capital, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation, Engineer Muhammad Binni Abdulkadir, described the claims as entirely “false, baseless, and fabricated.”
He said the Bauchi State Government has never issued any such directive or policy concerning the dowry of divorced or single women, emphasizing that the information circulating on social media was fake and intended to mislead the public.
Urging residents to disregard the widely shared footage and also refrain from sharing unverified information capable of causing unnecessary tension and confusion, the Commissioner said Governor Bala Mohammed has consistently respected the religious beliefs, cultural values, and traditions of the people of Bauchi State since assuming office.
According to him, it is important for members of the public to act responsibly by verifying information before sharing it and to avoid spreading falsehoods capable of undermining the peace, unity, and reputation of Bauchi State and its diverse religious and cultural heritage.
