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Ibadan Summit:Opposition Coalition Issues Nine Resolves, Vows to Resist APC’s ‘One-Party State’

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A coalition of opposition political parties gathered in Ibadan today issued a sweeping nine-point declaration vowing to resist what they called the “oppressive and anti-democratic” grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Nigeria’s democracy.

The Ibadan Declaration, read at the conclusion of the Opposition Political Parties National Summit, represents a rare show of unity among rival parties facing what they described as “existential challenges” under the current administration.

Here are the nine resolves from the  summit:

1. RESISTANCE TO ONE-PARTY STATE
The coalition vowed to “resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria” and pledged to fight for the survival of multi-party democracy.

2. CONTESTING 2027 ELECTIONS
Despite alleged “onslaughts and manoeuvrings” by the ruling party to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, the opposition declared it shall field candidates and contest the presidential and other elections.

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3. SINGLE JOINT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
In a significant move toward unity, the parties agreed to work toward fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections — to be agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties to “rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.”

4. REMOVAL OF INEC CHAIRMAN
The coalition declared that INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan “should not conduct the 2027 general elections,” accusing him of bias and partisanship in favour of the APC. The statement warned that his continued stay in office is “vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis.”

5. REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ACT
The National Assembly was called upon to “immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026” and remove all sections that threaten electoral integrity or contradict constitutional provisions.

6. RELEASE OF DETAINED POLITICIANS
The coalition demanded the immediate release of “all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offences,” calling for them to be allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of political participation.

7. EXTENSION OF PRIMARY DEADLINE
Describing recent INEC guidelines as “obstacles deliberately engineered” against opposition parties, the coalition demanded that the commission extend the deadline for primaries until the end of July 2026.

8. COMMENDATION OF NIGERIANS
The summit commended Nigerians for their “resilience and readiness to work with Opposition Parties to free our nation from State capture.”

9. THANKS TO OYO STATE GOVERNOR
The opposition parties formally thanked Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting “this epochal event.”

The communiqué was signed by the Chairmen of all participating opposition parties. The summit comes 9 months ahead of the 2027 general elections and signals an aggressive push toward a united front against the ruling APC.

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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