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Why Former Plateau Governor Lalong didn’t make President Tinubu’s Ministerial List

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Tinubu Lalong

President Bola Tinubu’s recent release of ministerial names has sparked curiosity and raised eyebrows as some political heavyweights, including former Plateau State Governor, HE Simon Bako Lalong, were conspicuously absent from the list.

Being the campaign Director-General and playing a crucial role in securing a resounding victory at the polls during the nationwide campaign, Governor Lalong was widely expected to be among the top contenders for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and now a ministerial position in Nigeria’s government, along with other former Governors mentioned in the list.

Surprisingly, while some former Governors, even those who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), made it onto the ministerial list, Governor Lalong’s omission has left many shocked and speculating about the reasons behind it.

Speculations have arisen, suggesting that Governor Simon Lalong’s exclusion might be linked to recent crises in the States Party Structure. Reports indicate that some party stakeholders and leaders, such as Senator Nora Daddut, CJ Dakas, and Hon. Komsol Alphonsus Longgap, the immediate past Federal House of Representatives Member representing Mikang, Qua’an-Pan Shendam Federal, have expressed interest in the Ministerial Slot.

Other factors like loyalty to the ruling platform and recommendations from ex-governors and state chapters might also have influenced the selection process with, Governor Lalong holding a high level State APC meeting days before the announcement of the list in an effort to straighten out issues.

Some have speculated that the party’s decision focused on rewarding most of the states where the APC secured their presidential votes, potentially leaving out states that faced challenges in delivering results or dealing with internal party struggles.

States like Adamawa, Bayelsa, Gombe, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Osun, Plateau, Yobe, and Zamfara are yet to receive ministerial nominations. Prominent figures missing from the list have further fueled speculation, leading to discussions about the possibility of a second list being submitted later.

As the nominees prepare to undergo Senate screening, their past affiliations and actions, particularly those like Nyesome Wike, who were perceived to have worked against their party during crucial elections, may come under scrutiny.

While the Tinubu Ministerial List has been commended for its commitment to gender representation, evident with the inclusion of seven women, many Nigerians have raised questions about the list, suspecting that some politicians may have been selected solely to receive rewards from the President.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, delivered the letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, emphasizing that Tinubu’s list aims to establish a government of inclusion and competence, prioritizing quality, inclusivity, professionalism, and geo-political balance.

As the nation eagerly awaits the unfolding of events, the speculations surrounding the ministerial list continue to fuel discussions in political circles and among citizens alike.

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Lagos 2027 gets hot as Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour make INEC final list [FULL LIST]

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has unveiled the final list of Lagos State governorship candidate.

The list is contained in a document released by INEC on Saturday in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

According to the document, the Lagos State deputy governor, Femi Hamzat is listed at the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Also on the list is Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate.

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Find attach below document containing the full list.

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Pantami’s Name Missing As INEC Releases Final List Of Gombe Gov Candidates

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, from its final list of governorship candidates for Gombe State ahead of the February 6, 2027 election.

Politics Nigeria reports that the commission released a list of 16 cleared candidates for the election, but Pantami’s name was missing despite his earlier inclusion in the provisional list published on August 29.

Among the candidates on the final list are Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Others include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party (LP), Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Pantami’s exclusion comes amid a series of legal disputes over his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.

The former minister had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but left the party after it settled for Gwamna as its consensus candidate. He subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s flag bearer through voice affirmation at its governorship primary.

However, a Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified his initial emergence on May 26, following a challenge to the primary process.

The court ordered a fresh primary election, which Pantami won on September 29 with 2,054 votes, defeating Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry.

Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence, arguing that the required primary election was not properly conducted before the former minister was declared the party’s candidate.

Despite winning the court-ordered rerun, Pantami’s eligibility remained in doubt following the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political party membership registers and candidate eligibility.

The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.

The provisions bar political parties from fielding candidates whose names were not included in the membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated period.

INEC has maintained that parties found to have violated the requirements will not be permitted to participate in the elections through candidates whose nominations breach the law.

Mohammed Haruna, an INEC national commissioner in charge of information and voter education, said the commission would not allow parties to replace candidates affected by the provisions.

Haruna made the clarification during an appearance on Trust TV’s programme on Wednesday evening, explaining that allowing substitutions would enable political parties to benefit from their own violations.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan

He cited previous disputes involving Zamfara and Plateau states to illustrate the consequences of parties failing to comply with electoral requirements.

“It’s like you committed an offence. And then, you come and benefit from it,” Haruna said.

He added that allowing parties to substitute candidates in such circumstances would amount to permitting them to benefit from an offence they had committed.

Haruna also indicated that the commission expected to make a definite pronouncement on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment by the following Tuesday.

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