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2027: Nigeria Forward Calls for Issue-Based Campaigns, Warns Against Personal Attacks

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Nigeria Forward, a national socio-political group, has urged politicians and political parties participating in the 2027 general elections to focus on issue-based campaigns and refrain from hate speech, personality attacks and dangerous rhetoric capable of threatening national unity and peaceful coexistence.

In a press release issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, the group called on political candidates, parties and other stakeholders to conduct their campaigns responsibly by prioritising policies, manifestoes and programmes that address the needs of Nigerians.

The group’s position was contained in a statement issued by its Directorate of Communications and Strategy in response to the commencement of public political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Nigeria Forward, the growing tendency among some political stakeholders to engage in personal attacks rather than discuss policies and governance issues could undermine peaceful coexistence and deepen divisions across the country.

The organisation expressed concern over what it described as campaigns of calumny, character assassination and other negative political practices, warning that such tendencies could turn the political environment into an arena for personality clashes rather than a platform for exchanging ideas.

Nigeria Forward maintained that election campaigns should provide voters with an opportunity to assess candidates based on their policies, proposed programmes, leadership priorities and capacity to address the country’s challenges.

The group also criticised the alleged abuse of the media space, particularly digital platforms, which it said some political actors and groups use to spread fake news, hate speech and misinformation in pursuit of political advantage.

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It called on politicians and their supporters to exercise restraint in their use of social media and other communication channels, stressing that the dissemination of misleading information could heighten tensions and weaken public trust during the electioneering period.

While acknowledging that the pursuit of political power is a legitimate feature of democracy, Nigeria Forward said political ambitions should be pursued with decency, decorum, mutual respect, responsibility and patriotism.

The organisation urged Nigerian politicians to draw lessons from established democracies where, according to the group, election campaigns focus on issues, manifestoes, policies and programmes intended to improve the welfare of the electorate.

“Our politicians must take a cue from their contemporaries in the advanced and developed democracies, where electioneering campaigns are based on issues, manifestoes, policies and programmes that are intended to be implemented for the benefit of the electorates,” the statement said.

Nigeria Forward further called on political leaders to demonstrate a sense of responsibility and patriotism in their conduct as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

The group said responsible political engagement would encourage voters to embrace patriotism and civic responsibility, while placing national unity, peace and development above partisan interests.

“Our politicians must show sense of responsibility and patriotism in their approach towards the 2027 electioneering campaign activities, thereby setting the pace and tune for a more responsive and patriotic electorates that are alive to their responsibility of being patriotic and committed citizens whose focus is national unity, peace and development,” the statement added.

The organisation also appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, civil society groups and other well-meaning Nigerians to hold politicians accountable for their public statements and actions, particularly where such conduct could promote division among citizens.

According to Nigeria Forward, sustained public scrutiny of political rhetoric and campaign activities would help promote responsible political participation and discourage conduct capable of threatening national cohesion ahead of the elections.

The group said all stakeholders had a responsibility to contribute to a peaceful electoral environment by encouraging issue-based debates and rejecting inflammatory statements that could undermine democratic engagement.

It further expressed the hope that greater accountability and responsible campaigning would contribute to the emergence of leaders committed to democratic principles, national unity and peaceful coexistence.

The statement was signed by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD, Co-Convener of Nigeria Forward.

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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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