…Denies Niger governorship ambition
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has suspended one of his aides, Sa’idu Enagi, over an unauthorised opinion article titled “Malagi 2027”, which speculated on permutations ahead of the 2027 Niger State governorship election.
In a firm disclaimer issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister’s office disowned the write-up, describing it as misleading and unauthorised, and stressing that it neither reflected the views nor the intentions of the Minister. “The write-up and all its contents are hereby vehemently disclaimed. The Honourable Minister neither directed nor approved the publication”, the statement said, urging members of the public to completely disregard the article.
According to the statement, signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Mohammed Idris remains fully focused on his responsibilities at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and has no interest in, nor tolerance for, political distractions or premature electioneering activities related to the 2027 polls.
As a consequence of the publication, the Minister ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the article, while the aide involved has been issued a letter of suspension with immediate effect.
The Minister’s office also emphasised his cordial and mutually respectful relationship with the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, noting that both leaders are committed to working together in the collective interest of the state’s development and stability. “Any speculation or insinuation about the 2027 governorship election is inimical to the shared goal of good governance and sustainable development in Niger State”, the statement added.
The disclaimer followed the circulation of the “Malagi 2027” article online and within political circles, where it sparked speculation about early alignments and possible ambitions ahead of the next governorship election in Niger State.
Some observers had interpreted the article as suggesting political calculations linked to the Minister, raising concerns about internal manoeuvring within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
However, the Minister’s office moved swiftly to distance him from the publication, underscoring his commitment to his national assignment and to the articulation of government policies and programmes.
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 analysts note that while conversations around the 2027 elections are beginning to surface nationwide, senior federal officials have repeatedly been urged by the Presidency to remain focused on governance and service delivery rather than premature political positioning.
