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News Analysis:Divergent Opinions As Nigeria’s Election Calendar Faces Overhaul

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11 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Under a new bill submitted to the National Assembly, Nigeria’s presidential, governorship, and legislative elections may be consolidated to hold in November 2026. The proposal, which aims to repeal the 2022 Electoral Act, makes this rescheduling its primary objective.

Following a one-day public hearing by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters chaired by Senator Simon Lalong, proposing to move Nigeria’s election dates forward, widespread skepticism and acceptance have been faced at a public hearing. Electoral experts, political parties, and civil society organizations questioned and gave credence to the plan’s propriety, feasibility, and logic.

The amendment proposal was contained in the Reviewed Highlights of the Amendment of the Electoral Act during a public hearing in Abuja. It stipulates that elections into the offices of the president and governors must be conducted “not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.”

According to the draft, the provision also extends to elections into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, which must now be held “not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the Houses stands dissolved.”

It adds that where a vacancy occurs in any of the Houses more than 90 days before the general elections, such vacancy must be filled within 30 days of its occurrence. The amendment also seeks to align the new electoral calendar with constitutional changes to Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178, which now delegate election timelines to the Electoral Act rather than the Constitution.

Before the public hearing, it was confirmed that politicians, especially those hoping to seek elective offices in 2027, had taken it for granted that the next general elections would follow a similar pattern as previous ones, to hold either in February or March in the year of inauguration.

In the last general polls, the governorship and presidential elections were conducted in February and March 2023 respectively.

Also, part of the bill is that amendments be made to allow security personnel, INEC officials, accredited journalists, observers, ad-hoc staff to vote up to 14 days before election day.

The bill also seeks the removal of election timelines from the Constitution and their inclusion in the Electoral Act to make future adjustments more flexible.

While some are happy about the development, saying the moving of election day to 2026 will give enough time for legal issues to be settled ahead of the inauguration of new administrations, some have kicked against it, saying it would only favour incumbents, adding that it is bound to have negative effects on governance.

Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, said the amendment would help prevent situations where court cases linger after winners assume office.

“We are proposing that all election litigations be concluded before the swearing-in of declared winners. To achieve this, we are recommending that the current 180 days allowed for tribunal judgments be reduced to 90 days, while appellate and Supreme Court decisions should each take no more than 60 days, all within 185 days before inauguration,” he said.

In what is suspected to be a reaction to the wide interest the bill has generated, the Senate on Thursday stepped down the bill, which had earlier been slated for consideration, saying the lawmakers needed more time for wider consultations and a deeper understanding of its provisions.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the Thursday session, said sufficient details on the general principles of the bill were not given and suggested an executive session to consider it.

There were also concerns earlier raised by Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe on the procedure, wondering why a bill which has yet to scale second reading went through a public hearing.

“I support the second reading of this bill. But people will wonder. The second reading is supposed to come before the public hearing that was done last Monday. Holding a public hearing before second reading is confusing,” he said.

Following similar observations by other senators, the bill was stepped down to allow the legislators to consult widely on it.

Before then, the proposal had elicited a wide range of reactions from the political class, election monitoring bodies, and the general public.

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In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that advancing the election date implies a perpetual campaign cycle, a short period for effective governance, and disruption in development planning, and further weakening of institutional focus.

“The president, ministers, governors, and other public officials vying for office or campaigning for others will shift their focus from performance to positioning. Policies will stall, projects will be abandoned, and the entire system will tilt towards 2026 instead of 2027,” part of the statement reads.

Similarly, the factions of the Labour Party differed on the proposal. While the faction led by Julius Abure said the party is fully prepared for the exercise if it holds next year, the Lamidi Apapa-led faction dismissed the idea as unconstitutional and premature.

National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led faction, Obiora Ifoh, said the party is “100 percent ready” for any election conducted within the timeframe allowed by law. “We are ready for any election, even if it comes in November 2026. But that is not even the problem. The real issue is for INEC to put its act together and address the lapses we witnessed during the 2023 elections,” he said.

However, the coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, faulted the proposal, saying it contradicts the constitutionally guaranteed four-year term of elected officeholders.

“Does it mean they will hold the election before the tenure of the current officeholders expires?” Tanko queried. “It’s confusing. What happens to the remaining months of their term? The constitution provides for four years, not three.”

Mr. Tanko argued that the proposal lacks its legal implications and it was “too sudden.”

Furthermore, at the time of filing this report, no reactions from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as regards this issue was reported.

However, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, also reacted to the proposal, describing it as “a good idea coming at the wrong time.”

The spokesperson of the party noted that while the intention behind the amendment could help resolve post-election litigations before the swearing-in of winners, the timing of the move would put opposition parties at a disadvantage.

The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, said the organisation is in support of the proposal because it has many advantages outside settling all disputes arising from elections.

“It provides clarity for INEC and for other institutions so that they don’t also get distracted, you know, with the whole business of settling down. It gives the institution the opportunity to conclude everything that it has to do with the post-election audit. And that can be done devoid of any sort of pressure or political interference,” he said.

Despite the interest, however, it appears that the bill will not receive an accelerated hearing now that it has been stepped down for further consultations. Added to that, a lot, Nigerian Tracker learnt, would depend on the outcome of the constitution review process which is currently ongoing.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, in an interview with the Daily Trust correspondent, said his committee is working together with the constitution review committee to ensure synergy.

“The Electoral Act is also dragging a bit because of the constitution review. We are waiting for that because we know some of those things are still subject to the provisions of the constitution. Had it been we were not subjected to it, we would have concluded our own probably since last month. Our own does not need to go to the states. After this, we can go for third reading in the next one week and pass it, but because of their own issues, we have to slow down.”

Professor Kamilu Sani Fage, a Kano-based political scientist, in an interview with the Daily Trust also warns that, though the proposal is logical, it could tilt the playing field in favour of the ruling party, undermine democratic fairness, and expose systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial institutions.

“The idea behind the proposal is to change the timetable election period from what it used to be by six months. I think the argument they put forward is logical, the idea is that they need sufficient time so that all electoral cases will be settled before swearing in of elected people or elected leaders. I think it is a logical argument, but a wrong one,” Prof. Fage analysed.

When asked what the implications are, the professor responded thus further:

“One, it will give unnecessary advantage to the ruling party because the party that is in office will use the incumbency factor to win the election. In other words, there will be no fair level playing ground for all contestants.

Secondly, it would be a dangerous thing for the country. Imagine a situation where a ruling party fails and it remains in office for six months. Wwithin that period, it will commit all sorts of atrocities.”

If the amendment sails through, there are fears that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may find it hard to cope, given that it has lots of off-cycle elections to conduct before 2027, some of which are the Anambra, Osun, and Ekiti governorship elections as well as the FCT council elections holding next year.

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UNGA81: Shettima Leads Nigeria’s Delegation to New York

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5 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.

Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The 81st UNGA general debate will be held from September 22 to 28.

The theme of the UNGA is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

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Mr Nkwocha said Mr Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the general debate.

He said the statement would outline Nigeria’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.

The presidential aide also said that Shettima would participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week.

Mr Nkwocha added that VP Shettima’s engagements would focus on the right to development, climate action, and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.

Similarly, he said Mr Shettima is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and participate in a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and international organisations, as well as development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

“The engagements will provide Nigeria an opportunity to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation,” he said.

Mr Nkwocha said VP Shettima will return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York.

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Former Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris Dies In UK At 77

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6 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has reportedly died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77.

Reliable sources broke the shocking news of Idris’s death on Sunday; further details of his reported death were still being awaited as of press time.

Idris served as governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2008 and again from 2008 to 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Captain Idris Wada, in January 2012.

Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris began his education in Onitsha, Anambra State, before moving to Kano, where he completed his primary education.

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He later attended King’s Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abuja.

Before venturing into politics, Idris was a businessman. He established Ibro Trading Company, with interests including construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.

He later established a furniture factory in Sokoto and the Ibro Hotel, described in available biographical records as the first three-star hotel in the old Sokoto State.

Idris emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State ahead of the 2003 election and defeated the incumbent governor, Prince Abubakar Audu.

He was sworn in as governor on May 29, 2003.

Idris was re-elected in 2007, but the election was later nullified following a legal challenge over the exclusion of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Abubakar Audu, from the poll.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election.

Idris subsequently contested the March 2008 re-run and was returned as governor. His victory was challenged by Audu, who alleged electoral irregularities.

Idris eventually completed his tenure in January 2012 and was succeeded by Wada.

The former governor also attracted national attention in 2006 when three of his daughters survived the ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash, which claimed numerous lives.

Following the incident, Idris described the survival of his daughters as a “superlative show of mercy” from God and called for thanksgiving.

In April 2024, Idris suffered the loss of his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala Federal Constituency of Kogi State. Mohammed died in Abuja shortly after observing Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

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Mahanga TV Launches in Nigeria to Take Hausa Storytelling, Northern Talent to Global Audiences

Published

10 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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Kano-based media platform combines broadcasting, original productions, current affairs, culture and digital media in a new chapter for Northern Nigerian storytelling

A new voice has entered Nigeria’s evolving media landscape with the launch of Mahanga TV, a Kano-based Hausa media and broadcasting platform established to bring together original storytelling, journalism, drama, film, culture and entertainment while giving Northern Nigerian stories a wider audience.

Operating under Mahanga Media and Productions Ltd., the platform is positioning itself at the intersection of television, digital media and modern content production, with an ambition to inform, entertain and connect audiences through professionally produced content.

Mahanga TV is available as a Free-to-Air television service on Amos 17 at a frequency of 11,882 MHz, providing viewers with access to its growing range of Hausa-language programming and original content.

The company describes its philosophy in a simple phrase: “Born in Kano. Built for the world.” Its stated mission is to deliver innovative media solutions that inform, inspire and connect audiences through storytelling and technology, while its broader vision is to build a media and broadcasting company recognised for excellence, creativity and impact in Nigeria and beyond.

For Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, the platform was created from a belief that Northern Nigeria possesses a wealth of stories, talent and cultural perspectives that deserve a larger platform.

“Mahanga TV was established from a deep conviction that Northern Nigeria has a wealth of stories, talent, culture and perspectives that deserve to be told with professionalism, creativity and global relevance. Our vision is to build a modern Hausa media platform that informs, entertains and connects audiences while creating opportunities for Northern talent and amplifying stories that reflect who we are and where we are going.

“At Mahanga TV, we are combining contemporary broadcast technology with original storytelling, current affairs, drama, film, music, culture and entertainment to create a platform that goes beyond traditional television. We are proud to be born in Kano, but our ambition is to take the stories and voices of Northern Nigeria to audiences across Nigeria and the world.”

— Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Mahanga TV

That vision is reflected in the platform’s programming structure, which spans talk shows, drama series, feature films, current affairs, music and culture, and family-friendly entertainment. Its published programming slate includes talk formats such as Labaran Yau, Sahel Circle, Kano After Dark and Arewa Dialogues, alongside drama productions, feature films, current-affairs programmes and music and cultural shows.

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Its drama offering focuses on stories grounded in Hausa-Fulani heritage, with the company highlighting writers, directors and actors from across Northern Nigeria. Its feature-film programming similarly seeks to showcase Northern Nigerian filmmaking and artistry, while its music and culture programming brings together traditional cultural expressions and contemporary Northern sounds.

The platform’s current-affairs offering is another important part of its identity, with programmes listed under the Mahanga Newshour, Northern Report, Frontline and Market Day brands. The programming is designed around issues and conversations relevant to audiences in Northern Nigeria, complementing the platform’s entertainment and cultural content.

Behind the programming is an investment in production infrastructure. Mahanga’s facility at Farm Centre, Tarauni, Kano, includes professional studios, editing and post-production suites, audio recording booths, a live-streaming control room, meeting rooms and high-speed internet. Its listed production equipment includes high-definition cameras, professional lighting, audio recording systems, live-streaming equipment, editing facilities and broadcast transmission gear.

The company’s production model covers the entire process from concept and scripting to filming, editing and distribution, allowing projects to be developed with a unified creative and production direction. Its delivery platforms include television, online broadcasting, social media and live streaming.

Beyond its programming, Mahanga Media and Productions also positions itself as a full-service media company serving brands, institutions and individuals. Its services include television and online broadcasting, video production, social-media campaigns, online media campaigns, event coverage and live streaming.

The company’s development has also been marked by a gradual expansion of its production and digital capabilities. According to its published corporate timeline, Mahanga TV was founded in Kano in 2025, expanded its studio and live-streaming infrastructure in 2026, moved into digital campaigns and online broadcasting in 2026 and produced its original Baya da Kura series in 2026. In 2026, the company describes itself as operating as a full-service media organisation covering broadcasting, production, events and live streaming.

The digital component of the platform is also being expanded. Mahanga says a dedicated mobile application for iOS and Android is currently in development, with plans to allow audiences to watch programmes, receive updates and access Mahanga TV content directly from their mobile devices.

For Northern Nigeria’s creative industry, the emergence of a platform built around local storytelling, production and talent creates another avenue through which filmmakers, journalists, actors, musicians, presenters and other creatives can reach audiences.

More broadly, Mahanga’s launch comes at a time when the distinction between television and digital media is becoming increasingly fluid. Audiences now consume news, entertainment and cultural content across television, social media, streaming platforms and mobile devices. Mahanga’s stated strategy reflects that changing media environment by combining conventional broadcasting with digital distribution and original content production.

At the centre of the platform, however, remains storytelling.

From current affairs and long-form conversations to drama, film, music and cultural programming, Mahanga is seeking to build a media identity that is distinctly Northern while remaining accessible to audiences beyond the region.

Its launch therefore represents more than the arrival of another television platform in Kano. It marks the beginning of an effort to create a modern Hausa media brand capable of bringing together Northern identity, professional production, contemporary broadcasting and digital storytelling.

And with its ambition captured in its own words — “Born in Kano. Built for the world.” — Mahanga TV is setting out to give the stories, voices and talent of Northern Nigeria a wider stage.

Mahanga TV — Free-to-Air Broadcast Information

Satellite: AMOS-17
Transponder: K7113
Frequency: 11,882 MHz
Polarization: V (Vertical)
Symbol Rate: 30 Msps
Modulation: QPSK
FEC: 2/3

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