The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has denied any intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Niger State and has suspended one of his aides over an article that suggested such political ambitions.
The suspension followed the publication of an article titled “Malagi 2027,” allegedly written by the aide, Sa’idu Enagi. The article discussed possible political permutations ahead of the 2027 Niger State governorship election and linked the minister to the contest.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim. The statement said the minister had no knowledge of, nor involvement in, the publication of the article.
According to the statement, Mohammed Idris urged Nigerians to completely disregard the write-up. He emphasized that the article did not emanate from him and did not reflect his views, intentions, or political plans.
The minister stated that his current focus remains on his official responsibilities as Minister of Information and National Orientation. He said he is committed to informing Nigerians about government policies, programmes, and activities and has no time for political distractions.
Idris stressed that he is not involved in any form of politicking concerning the 2027 elections. He added that speculations about his political ambition are unfounded and misleading.
The statement explained that the minister has ordered an immediate investigation into how the article was published. As part of the initial disciplinary action, Sa’idu Enagi has been issued a letter of suspension with immediate effect.
The minister said he neither directed nor approved the publication of the article. He described the contents of the write-up as inappropriate and inconsistent with his current role in government.
In the statement, the ministry formally disclaimed the article and all its contexts. It said the write-up was the personal action of the aide and did not represent the position of the Office of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Idris also addressed concerns about his relationship with the Niger State government. He said he enjoys a positive and cordial relationship with the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago.
According to him, this relationship is based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the development of Niger State. He noted that unfounded political speculations could undermine this cooperation and negatively affect development efforts in the state.
The statement described any discussion linking the minister to the 2027 governorship race as inimical to the collective objectives of advancing governance and development in Niger State.
It added that the minister’s priority is to support the administration’s communication strategy at the federal level. This includes ensuring that Nigerians are properly informed about government initiatives and reforms.
The Office of the Minister reiterated that Mohammed Idris remains fully engaged in his duties and has no plans to seek elective office at the state level. The statement appealed to the public and the media to rely only on official communications from the ministry.
The incident has drawn attention to the sensitivity surrounding early political speculations ahead of the 2027 general elections. It also highlights the federal government’s stance on maintaining focus on governance rather than premature political campaigns.
As of the time of reporting, no further details had been provided regarding the outcome of the investigation into the aide’s actions. The ministry said it would take appropriate steps based on the findings.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the minister’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and responsible communication in the discharge of his duties as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation.
