From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names of 15 governorship candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 Niger State governorship election.

The list, released in line with the commission’s timetable for the 2027 general elections, has incumbent Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) among the candidates.

Other candidates on the published list are Ibrahim Aliyu Alhaji of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Suleiman Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Mohammed Adamu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Sani Alfa of the National Democratic Party (NDP); and Francis Aliyu of the Labour Party.

Also listed are Kolo Mohammed Aminu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Bello Isah Mohammed of the Action Peoples Party (APP); Umar Larat Aliyu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Usman Alhaji Abdullahi of the Accord Party; and Mohammed Kpautagi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Others are Adamu Ibrahim of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Tanko Haliru Musa Minna of the Action Peoples Movement (APM); Yerima Yakubu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); and Audu Mohammed of the African Action Congress (AAC).

The list brings the number of governorship candidates currently published by INEC to 15.

However, Mohammed Mamman Nami is not among the 15 names on the published list.

Nami was recently endorsed by the Niger State chapter of the PDP to replace Suleiman Abubakar, who reportedly withdrew from the governorship race to pick a house of representative seat, for Edati, Lavun and Mokwa federal constituency.

His name is therefore not included in the INEC list currently being referenced, pending the completion and formal recognition of the substitution process by the electoral commission.

The development has generated interest in the political landscape ahead of the 2027 election, particularly with the APC’s Bago seeking another term and the PDP preparing to field Nami following Suleiman’s withdrawal.

The other political parties are also expected to intensify their mobilisation as the election approaches.

The 2027 Niger governorship election is expected to be closely contested, with issues including security, infrastructure, agriculture, employment, education, healthcare.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin has called on the youths to key into the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, awarding scholarships to two members of the Hausa community in Ghana to study Hausa Language at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in any Nigerian universities offering the course.

Speaking as a Guest of Honour at the World Hausa Day 2026 celebration organized by the Hausa Youths of Ghana at the Forecourt of the State House, Accra, at the weekend, he commended the organizers for promoting Hausa language, culture and heritage, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to strengthening the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.

In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau however pointed out that the World Hausa Day was an important platform for celebrating the rich heritage, language, culture and identity of the Hausa people, while promoting friendship, unity and mutual understanding among communities.

Accompanied by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army and Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua; Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, the Kano north senator emphasized that Hausa language was much more than a means of communication, stressing that it has, for centuries, served as a bridge among people across West Africa and played significant roles in commerce, scholarship, diplomacy, literature, traditional institutions and social interaction.

According to him, the widespread use of Hausa across national borders reflects the deep historical, cultural and social connections that exist among Africans.

“Ghana and Nigeria share a long history of interaction in trade, education, migration, culture and diplomacy. The Hausa community in Ghana has also continued to make meaningful contributions to the social and economic development of the country while preserving its cultural heritage,” he said.

While challenging the Hausa youths in Ghana and across Africa to take pride in their heritage and channel it towards building a better future, Senator Barau maintained that the continued survival of the Hausa language depends largely on its transmission from one generation to another, urging young people to take the lead in preserving, promoting and modernizing the language.

He also appealed to the youths to pursue quality education, acquire modern skills, embrace innovation, establish businesses, create opportunities for others and contribute positively to the communities in which they live while reaffirming the importance of the enduring friendship and strong relations between Ghana and Nigeria.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries and violence reported at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.

The Executive Order, which took effect on August 31st, 2026, empowers the panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, determine the identities and number of victims, establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and examine whether criminal responsibility is connected to the deaths.

Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola has been appointed Chairman of the Coroner Inquest/Panel, with Abiodun Badiora as Secretary. Other members include Dr. Aderanti Kayode (Rtd), Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wale Balogun representing Civil Society Organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr. Babatunde Afolabi as Medical/Forensic Representative.

The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards.

It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident.

The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.

The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation.

Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms, ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.

The Executive Order further calls for appropriate measures to protect witnesses and victims’ families, obtain medical and forensic documentation, and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry.

The Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission and Osun State Commissioner of Police are formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command may prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence.

The panel is expected to commence sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days from the date of its first sitting, subject to any necessary extension approved by the Governor.

The government has invited victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organisations, political parties, community leaders, human rights activists and other concerned persons to submit memoranda and evidence to the panel.

The Governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.

The Executive Order states that no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation, while stressing that all allegations remain allegations until established by credible evidence before the Coroner Inquest/Panel.