Info Minister Suspends Aide Over Article On 2027 Niger Governorship Poll

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclaimed a write-up titled “Malagi 2027,” authored by one of his aides, Sa’idu Enagi, which discussed permutations for the 2027 Niger State governorship election.

In a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister’s office described the publication and all its contents as unauthorised and misleading, stressing that the Minister neither directed nor approved the write-up.

According to the statement, the Minister was fully focused on his responsibilities at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and has no interest in, or time for, political distractions or speculations relating to the 2027 elections.

“The public is therefore urged to completely disregard the write-up, as it does not reflect the views or position of the Honourable Minister,” the statement said.

It further disclosed that the Minister has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the publication, while the aide involved has been issued a letter of suspension with immediate effect.

The statement also clarified that the Minister maintained a cordial and mutually respectful relationship with the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in the collective interest of the state’s development, adding that any speculation about the 2027 elections could undermine these objectives.

The office of the Minister emphasised that discussions or insinuations relating to the 2027 governorship race were inimical to the shared goal of good governance and sustainable development in Niger State.

The disclaimer followed the circulation of an opinion article titled “Malagi 2027,” which surfaced online and in some political circles, sparking speculation about early alignments and ambitions ahead of the 2027 Niger State governorship election.

The article, attributed to Sa’idu Enagi, an aide to the Minister, was perceived by some observers as suggesting political calculations linked to the Minister, thereby raising concerns about possible internal political manoeuvring within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State.

However, the Minister’s office moved swiftly to distance him from the publication, underscoring his commitment to his ministerial duties and to the communication of government policies and programmes at the national level.

Mohammed Idris, a newspaper publisher and media executive, was appointed Minister of Information and National Orientation in 2023 and has since been a key voice of the Federal Government, particularly in articulating policy reforms and national orientation programmes.

Political watchers noted that while discussions about the 2027 elections have begun to emerge across the country, senior federal officials have been repeatedly urged by the Presidency to remain focused on governance and service delivery rather than premature political positioning.

The suspension of the aide and the ongoing investigation signalled the Minister’s resolve to maintain professional discipline within his office and to avoid actions that could be interpreted as partisan or distracting from his official mandate.