Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has suspended his aide, Sa’idu Enagi, over the publication of an unauthorised political write-up linked to the 2027 Niger State governorship election.
The Minister also ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
According to the Ministry, the write-up titled ‘Malagi 2027’ explored possible political permutations ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Niger State and was circulated without the Minister’s approval. The Ministry stressed that the publication does not reflect Malagi’s position.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Rabiu Ibrahim, urged the public to ignore the publication.
“Please disregard the write-up as the Honourable Minister neither directed nor approved the publication,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the Minister had taken internal disciplinary action against the aide responsible for the publication.
“The Honourable Minister has directed an immediate investigation, and the aide has been issued a letter of suspension with immediate effect,” he stated.
The Ministry further clarified the Minister’s relationship with the Niger State Government, noting that speculations about the 2027 election were unnecessary.
“It is noteworthy that the Honourable Minister and his home state governor, His Excellency Mohammed Umaru Bago, enjoy a positive, mutual relationship for the greater good of Niger State, and therefore, speculations about the 2027 elections will appear inimical to these noble objectives,” the statement said.
The Ministry also emphasised that Malagi remains fully focused on his responsibilities at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Malagi was nominated and confirmed as Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023.
Before his appointment, he contested the 2023 Niger State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost the party’s primary to Umaru Bago, who later emerged as governor.
