Category: PM News

A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has affirmed Mr Toyin Okoro as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 in the 2027 general election.

The court affirmed the candidacy of Okoro after dismissing a suit challenging the nomination filed by Mr Babalotin Bayo and three others, for want of locus standi and jurisdiction.

Bayo had approached the court to void the outcome of the APC primary election that produced Okoro as the party’s flag bearer for the Ikere, Ise-Orun and Ekiti South-West federal constituency 1.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the suit was incompetent and described the plaintiff as a ‘meddlesome interloper’ and a ‘busybody’ with no legal standing to challenge the primary.

The judge stressed that, under Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, only an aspirant, who participated in a party’s primary election has the statutory right to challenge its conduct or outcome in court.

Kuewumi also held that a state chapter of a political party has no independent legal status to be sued separately from its national body, and consequently struck out the name of the APC Ekiti State chapter from the suit.

Okoro, an indigene of Ise-Ekiti, emerged candidate after defeating the incumbent lawmaker, retired AVM Rufus Ojuawo, in the May 2026 APC primary and subsequently confirmed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Reacting to the judgment, Okoro’s lead counsel, Dr Femi Ogunlade, who appeared with Dr K.O. Francis, described it as a victory for the rule of law and internal party democracy.

‘The court has come out clearly to re-affirm that no individual can confer constitutional rights upon themselves where none exists. The substratum of the plaintiff’s case was defective from the onset because he was never an aspirant in the primary election,’ Ogunlade said.

Also speaking, Adebayo Adeji, a lawyer and community leader from Ise-Ekiti, said the judgment has ended the legal distractions surrounding Okoro’s candidacy.

‘Okoro enjoys overwhelming support across the federal constituency, comprising Ise-Orun, Ikere and Ekiti South-West Local Government Areas.

‘The court has validated the choice of the people, and the decision shows that no individual can stand in the way of a moving political train,’ Adeji said.

With the legal challenge cleared, Okoro remains the APC’s confirmed candidate for the federal constituency ahead of the 2027 polls.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified its mobilisation in Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and former Edo State Governor, Chief John Oyegun, calling for political change and economic reforms in Nigeria.

They spoke at an ADC town hall meeting in Edo State attended by party leaders, candidates, supporters and other dignitaries, where the party presented its vision for Edo State and Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor, criticised the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had worsened inflation and increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians.

He said energy remained fundamental to economic production, stressing that ‘without it, you cannot produce.’

According to Amaechi, the subsidy removal was undertaken without sufficient consideration of its effect on inflation and the cost of living.

He argued that lower fuel prices would reduce the cost of goods and services and could also contribute to a reduction in crime.

Amaechi said an ADC-led government would introduce production subsidies and implement policies designed to make production easier, while also promising tax cuts and improved salaries.

He further pledged that an ADC government would ensure the construction of all seaports in the country.

On the electoral process, Amaechi urged Nigerians to protect their votes, insisting that elections should be won at the polling units rather than through court battles.

‘You will defend your votes. If you don’t fight for your right, they will take it,’ he said, referring to developments in Osun State.

The ADC vice-presidential candidate also promised greater participation of women in government, saying the country could not be effectively governed without women.

He pledged that an ADC government would increase women’s participation in governance and provide schools in primary communities across villages.

Amaechi also promised to reduce the cost of school fees and make education more accessible to Nigerians.

Speaking on his experience as Rivers State governor, he recalled walking the streets and interacting directly with residents, saying such engagement enabled leaders to understand the realities facing the people.

Earlier, Edo State ADC Chairman, Chief Anthony Alile, said the town hall meeting demonstrated that the party was fully preparing for the 2027 elections.

Alile said Nigeria was at a critical crossroads, adding that the ADC was seeking power to restore effective governance.

He said the people of Edo wanted jobs, security and leadership they could trust, stressing that the party’s message of change was resonating across the state.

ADC leader in Edo Central, Barr. Kenneth Imansuagbon, urged voters to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to effect political change.

He said, ‘APC have AK-47 and we have PVC,’ while accusing the ruling party of leaving the state with bad roads and insecurity.

Imansuagbon said the people of Edo were not cowards and would support the ADC at the polls.

In Edo South, ADC leader Senator Ehigie Usamere condemned the display of weapons in political activities, describing it as a sign of weakness.

He urged Benin people to take a leading role in politics and said the ADC would receive strong support from the area.

The ADC National Woman Leader, Naomi Lasara, also urged voters to go beyond casting their ballots by ensuring that their votes were protected.

The event featured the official commissioning of ADC campaign songs under the theme, ‘Entertainer for Good Governance.’

In his remarks, Chief John Oyegun, a former executive governor of Edo State, said Nigerians made ‘terrible mistakes’ three years ago and were now paying for them.

Oyegun expressed concern over political intimidation in Edo State, particularly alleged threats involving AK-47s, and questioned whether such a political environment was what the people wanted.

He said he had closely observed Amaechi during his tenure as Rivers State governor and argued that Nigeria needed courageous leadership and experience to address its current challenges.

Oyegun said the 2027 election should provide an opportunity to correct what he described as the mistakes of 2023 and ‘rescue the nation.’

The town hall also featured the presentation of ADC candidates and members of the party’s state working committee, including Edo North senatorial candidate Haruna Abubakar, Edo Central senatorial candidate, Edo South senatorial candidate Senator Matthew Erohide, and the party’s nine House of Representatives candidates.

Other dignitaries at the event included ADC campaign adviser Senator Osamere, Barr. Kenneth Imasogbon, Senator Nurudeen Usman, Pastor Oseni, National Woman Leader Naomi Lasara, the South-South Woman Leader, Senator Ayo Akinyolore from Ondo State, Jubril Sabi Kiyana from Nasarawa State, former Attorney-General Barr. Mohamed Hassan Abdullahi, Nasarawa State gubernatorial candidate Hon. Asita Hon, and Niger Delta politician Nancy Stephens from Rivers State.

The town hall meeting is part of the ADC’s grassroots mobilisation and engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dar es Salaam. Academic excellence has opened a pathway to career opportunities for 13 Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) students, after the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) recognised their achievements and encouraged them to apply their knowledge to challenges facing the agricultural sector.

The students received the awards at a ceremony held at SUA on October 7, 2026, as part of TADB’s support for young people pursuing agriculture-related studies.

Speaking on behalf of TADB, Chief Human Resources Officer Edna Nyatta said the awards were part of the bank’s partnership with SUA to identify and support students excelling in agriculture-related fields.

She urged the students to continue learning, embrace innovation and apply their academic knowledge to address challenges facing the country, particularly in agriculture.

‘Your academic achievement is an important milestone, but the knowledge you have gained should ultimately be used to solve real challenges facing our country,’ she said.

Ms Nyatta said TADB also provides practical training opportunities through its Learn with Us programme, under which about 10 SUA students have secured internships, with six later obtaining permanent employment.

She said the initiative was in line with recent guidance from the Vice President on strengthening internship programmes to help young people gain practical experience and improve their prospects in the labour market.

SUA Vice Chancellor Professor Raphael Chibunda thanked TADB for supporting the awards and called on the bank to extend internship opportunities to the 13 students.

He said practical training would help students bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace demands, while better preparing them for employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture.

Nollywood actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur Femi Adebayo has reacted with surprise to the viral claims that his newly opened Euphoria 360 Hub is valued at ?40 billion.

Claims about the valuation of the facility located in Oregun, Lagos has been circulating online since it was commissioned on October 6, 2026, by Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

The opening ceremony of the film hub was attended by prominent Nollywood figures including Odunlade Adekola, Kunle Afolayan and Ramsey Nouah.

Adebayo’s father, veteran actor Adebayo Salami (popularly known as Oga Bello), was visibly emotional during the ceremony, struggling to hold back tears as he spoke about his son’s achievement.

The massive complex was established as the headquarters of Adebayo’s Euphoria360 Media Limited.

It also included cinema-grade production studios, post-production suites for editing and colour grading, music video and event facilities, equipment rental, and the Euphoria360 Film Academy aimed at training emerging talent.

While Adebayo has not spoken about what it cost him to establish the facility, some netizens have estimated the cost of the massive studio which was commissioned with glitz and glamour at N40 billon.

Repeating this claim, an X post by one @Usmanashafe declared: ‘The studio is valued at 40billion naira ?? What a great investment by Femi Adebayo ???? Femi is BIG!!!!’Adebayo

However, Adebayo seemed not amused by the valuation as he questioned the basis for arriving at the humungous amount.

‘Valued at what?? What?? How? When, where? Wow!’ Adebayo responded, with a string of pointed questions that quickly went viral, quoting the post by the X user.

The actor’s puzzled response triggered a wave of reactions on X with some use treating the claim with humour and practical concern.

@hakmax posted an image alongside the comment: ‘FIRS and LIRS people already calculating how much tax to charge you. ??’

@adeyemijedediah wrote: ‘Potential investors don help you value your company. Nah you no know the value wetin you get. Tell them to bring 4 billion for a 10% stake.’

@IyegereS offered a more protective note: ‘Baba mi, dem wan put you for talk.’

Another user, @DejiAcre, jokingly asked: ‘Billionaire Femi Adebayo, please, when are you selling the IPO of your NGN 40 billion studio? ?? We the Nigerian investors, are waiting. ??’

One user noted that ‘Nigerians have problem with numbers,’ while others simply laughed at Adebayo’s evident shock, with posts such as ‘egbon shock’ and ‘Even you yourself shock ??????.’

For now, Femi Adebayo has left the valuation debate of the hub which had already hosted high-profile work, including the shoot for Davido’s ‘B4 B4’ music video, before its formal opening open

While several media reports and social media posts have described the project as a ?40 billion facility, Adebayo himself has not confirmed any such valuation.

Relatives of the rescued National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have voiced their grievances following the state operation, asserting that they were forced to pay multi-million naira ransoms to the kidnappers prior to the release.

P.M.NEWS recalls that abducted Corp members and another hostage were rescued by security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services, DSS, on Wednesday.

The families, however, while speaking with News Central Television, explained that they had sent up to 6million Naira to the abductors as ransom.

‘I paid as much as N3 million as ransom while I was hoping that nothing happened to my child. I ran helter-skelter to raise the money. I eventually got the money and sent someone to Imo State to deliver the ransom,’ a mother of one of the corps members told News Central Television.

‘We had to converge somewhere in Ibadan, Oyo State to put the money together. Some of us even changed the money to dollars and sent it to Imo State to meet whoever was coming to pick it,’ A father said, explaining that he paid N6 million for the release of his abducted son.

‘I am excited that my son is coming back. However, how do I repay the N6 million I borrowed? I’m just a farmer,’ he cried out.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the then governor of Rivers State offered the late Chief Daniel Orbih inducements to withdraw support for his governorship ambition, but the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain refused.

Wike spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during a night of tributes for Orbih, whom he credited with helping him become Rivers governor in 2015.

He traced their bond to the political struggles of 2013 and 2014, saying Orbih stood firm despite pressure from opponents seeking to derail his ambition.

‘There was nothing in this world that was not done to induce him. My governor then sent people to Dan, offered him everything in this world, but Dan stood firm and said, ‘No, I will not accept, I will not agree.”

Wike did not name the governor in his remarks.

Orbih, the PDP National Vice-Chairman, South South, hailed from Etsako in Edo State. He died on August 31 at the age of 64.

The minister described Orbih as the instrument God used to pave the way for his emergence as governor.

‘Today I am a Minister of the FCT; yesterday I was a governor. Who did God use for me to become governor? It was Dan,’ he said.

Wike said Orbih donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses to strengthen his security during the campaign and mobilised political support across the South South.

Despite those contributions, he said Orbih never sought contracts or personal favours throughout his eight years as governor.

‘Dan is not a typical Nigerian politician. Throughout my eight years as governor, he never came for one day-either by phone or coming to my house to say, ‘I need this contract.’ Never,’ he said.

The minister said Orbih’s conduct demonstrated the loyalty and commitment that defined their friendship.

‘The only way I can identify a politician that is reliable is when that politician has stood in times of crisis. Loyalty, commitment to friendship, and being a brother’s keeper run in Dan’s family,’ he said.

Wike added that many serving national and state lawmakers would not have attained their positions without Orbih’s support and protection of the region’s interests.

He also credited Orbih with laying the foundation for cooperation across party lines in Edo State, saying the late politician supported several people without benefiting personally from their success.

The minister called for a state burial in recognition of Orbih’s contributions to Edo’s political development and urged stakeholders to act.

‘I will continue to keep my relationship with Dan’s family. I think I will also discuss with the family on how to keep the legacies of Dan,’ he said.

Also speaking, Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, said Orbih introduced him to politics.

Abe recalled serving as Director-General of Orbih’s first governorship campaign under the United Nigeria Congress Party and travelling across Edo with him.

‘Dan was indeed a bridge builder par excellence. We are gathered here today not because Dan is dead. We are gathered because of the life that he lived and that life impacted all of us in so many different ways,’ he said.

Former Edo governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, said Orbih’s scrutiny as an opposition leader made him a better governor.

He said he often considered how Orbih would assess his decisions, prompting him to prepare more thoroughly before taking action.

‘So my happiness today is that Dan and I, whatever our political differences we might have had, the truth is, Dan made me a better governor,’ Oshiomhole said.

He urged the family to take consolation in Orbih’s contributions to unity, progress and the development of Ogbona kingdom.

Oshiomhole also thanked Wike for reconciling him with Orbih after a prolonged political disagreement.

‘It was right at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt that Dan and I started hugging,’ he said.

In his tribute, Senator Sandy Onor described Orbih as a public intellectual, a defender of Edo heritage and a Nigerian patriot.

‘Dan was a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father,’ Onor said.

…Says Port, LNG Projects to Transform Ogun Waterside into Energy, Maritime Hub

Governor Dapo Abiodun said approval has been granted for the construction of the J4-Gao Road in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State as part of measures to open up the axis and provide critical infrastructure to support the emerging investments in the area.

Abiodun disclosed this on Wednesday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Ibiade, headquarters of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

The Governor, who lamented the prolonged neglect of the area by successive administrations, said the decision to construct the J4-Gao Road was informed by the strategic importance of Ogun Waterside to the State’s emerging economic and industrial landscape.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the construction of a four-kilometre bridge that would connect the local government to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the development as a major infrastructure intervention that would facilitate access to the area and support the take-off of major investments planned for the axis.

According to him, the proposed infrastructure would complement the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project, both of which are expected to significantly alter the economic profile of Ogun Waterside and strengthen the State’s position in the maritime, energy and logistics sectors.

Abiodun expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the development of the Deep Sea Port and other strategic projects in the area, saying the projects would position Ogun State as a major energy, maritime and international trade hub.

He announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Deep Sea Port had been scheduled for November, with construction expected to commence before the end of the year and be completed by 2030.

The Governor said the development of the port was the culmination of sustained efforts by his administration to create an enabling environment for large-scale investments, stressing that the administration had consistently pursued infrastructure and policy interventions designed to make Ogun more attractive to investors.

He noted that the Deep Sea Port and associated investments would create significant employment and business opportunities, particularly for young people and residents of Ogun Waterside.

The Governor therefore urged youths in the area to acquire the skills and competencies required to take advantage of the opportunities that would emerge from the projects.

‘These projects will change the economic fortunes of Ogun Waterside. Our young people must begin to prepare themselves now to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with these investments,’ he said.

Abiodun noted that the strategic investments in the area were expected to generate more than 50,000 direct employment opportunities, while also creating extensive opportunities across logistics, transportation, construction, hospitality, services, manufacturing and other sectors.

The Governor said the development of the Deep Sea Port would also complement Ogun’s growing industrial base and strategic location within the Lagos-Ogun economic corridor, further strengthening the State’s reputation as Nigeria’s industrial capital.

He described Ogun Waterside as strategically important to the State, noting that the local government has 126 polling units and about 62,000 registered voters.

Abiodun urged residents and APC members in the area to remain united and sustain their support for the party, saying continued political stability and support would help consolidate the gains recorded by the APC-led administrations at the State and Federal levels.

He called on party members to intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections and urged voters to support APC candidates across the ballot, from the presidential election to the State House of Assembly.

The Governor assured the people that continued support for the party would strengthen the prospects for sustained development and effective representation.

Speaking at the event, the APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Director-General, Senator Lekan Mustapha, urged residents to protect the development gains recorded in the area under the APC-led government.

Mustapha cautioned against taking political decisions that could jeopardise the ongoing transformation, urging the people to remain committed to the party and its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Segun Awonusi, commended Abiodun for what he described as his role in driving the development taking place in Ogun Waterside.

Awonusi expressed confidence that the people of the area would reciprocate the administration’s interventions with massive support for the APC in the 2027 elections.

The Chief of Air Staff CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has assured the families of the Nigeria Air force (NAF) personnel who lost their lives in the NAF-931 aircraft that the cause of the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

The NAF-931 carrying 25 personnel on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos on Monday, crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Aneke, who led NAF Search Recovery Team to the crash site in Igbokoda on Thursday, assured families of the victims that NAF would ‘take necessary care of their welfare.’

The CAS who expressed sadness over the incident, said NAF has lost some of its most brilliant, intelligent and professional officers to the crash.

He commiserated with families of the personnel who lost their lives in the course of their service to the nation.

‘My job here is basically for two reasons, first, for the welfare of my people, to look at what is happening in recovery and then accountability.

‘On behalf of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and also officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, I want to first express our deep sorrow and condolence to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.

‘I basically knew everyone on that flight. I had flown on the aeroplane, my family has flown on it too, I know each of the crew personally, they are highly trained, professional, and intelligent officers.

‘The best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have put forward by those on board aircraft and I want to assure the families of our loved ones that NAF will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the crash is properly investigated,’ Aneke said.

He said NAF would come up with a high-level delegation comprising both military and civilian safety experts, the National Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), other relevant agencies, retired senior officers, experienced NAF officers among others to get to the root of the crash.

‘If you know the aviation environment, you will understand that the more activities we have, the more likelihood you have of incidents like this.

‘The best we can do for them is to be a little bit patient and let those who are the specialists get to the bottom of what has happened.

‘This is not the time to start speculating, and I plead with the general public, we have lost people who are fighting for the nation, they had put in their best and the best we can do is to be patient for specialists to get to the bottom, of the cause.

‘We at NAF, will leave no stone unturned, when it comes to safety, we ensure everything is safe before we get on board.

‘It is a very big loss, and no amount of words we put can bring succour or understanding to those who have lost their loved ones.

‘NAF will be putting everything possible to ensure that the families get the necessary support they need,’ Aneke said.

He noted that he has inspected the crash site (Ground Zero), giving assurance that the swamp buggies and other high level machines would help remove the wreckage of the crashed aircraft from the swamp.

He thanked residents of Igbokoda who were the first responders to the incident, for their efforts and quick responses, and also Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for all the resources and machinery put in place in order to recover the wreckage of the aircraft.

Aneke also thanked the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Fire Fighters, Federal Road Safety Corps, other security agencies, rescue teams and other emergency authorities for all their efforts.

Meanwhile, Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ebiowe, the Superintendent of Safety and Standards said that frantic efforts had been made to recover the aircraft components and human parts from the swamp.

Ebiowe, who is also the Head of Investigation Team, said efforts were ongoing to recover ‘recoverable parts’ which would give preliminary investigation to the crash.

‘The preliminary investigation is not conclusive, it will only generate what has happened, the amount of factors like maintenance issue, weather, pilot error or other auxiliary reasons that were responsible for the crash.

‘The wreckage and other recovery are preserved and documented until we recover the critical components the aircraft.

‘We have deplored swam buggies to the crash site because it is a difficult terrain and we hope to find the critical components like ‘Black Box (Flight Data) and the ‘Cockpit Voice Recorder’ which will give proper insight to the crash.

‘We are making efforts to get to the root of the cause in order to forestall future occurrence,’ he said.

Following brewing political infighting between Kano State Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, the Kano state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, has cautioned party members and loyalists of the two party chieftains against actions capable of sabotaging the interest of the party in the 2027 election.

Garo and Jibrin, who both hail from Kano North Senatorial District, have been locked in serious power play which many believe can affect the fortunes of APC in Kano North Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.

Supporters of the two political heavyweights in the zone have, in recent times, engaged in show of strength, a display that is gradually dwindling the limelight of APC in Kano North Senatorial District.

However, the state Chairman of the ruling party, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, has threatened to take disciplinary action against party members and supporters who continue to perpetrate actions capable of undermining the fortunes and interest of the party in Kano North Senatorial District, and across the state ahead the 2027 general elections.

Doguwa advised the warring factions to, immediately, sheathe their swords, resolve their differences, and work together for the victory of APC at all levels in the 2027 election circle.

Doguwa vowed that APC would accomplish the mandate of delivering all her candidates from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other party flag-bearers in 2027 polls.

The Kano APC Chairman issued the warning during engagement with party leaders in Kano North.

Doguwa, represented by Zonal Chairman, Kano North Senatorial District, Hon. Abdullahi Magaji Lamba Bichi, noted that commitment of the leadership in the zone must remain absolute and unshakeable.

He further stressed that the party would continue to uphold the principles of loyalty and unity among stakeholders, leaders, members and supporters.

According to him, the party expected its members to uphold discipline, unity, loyalty and respect for constituted authority, warning against activities capable of undermining the party’s cohesion, interest, peace and harmony.

Doguwa further warned that individuals found engaging in anti-party activities, factionalism or attempts to undermine the party and its candidates would face disciplinary measures in accordance with the provisions of the APC Constitution.

He said such measures could include suspension or expulsion where warranted.

Bichi further described Senator Barau I. Jibrin, as the leader of the APC in Kano North Senatorial District, stressing that the party remains united under his leadership.

He called on party leaders, stakeholders and members across the Senatorial District to mobilise and vote for Tinubu as President, Governor Abba Yusuf and Senator Jibrin in the 2027 elections.

Arusha. Tanzania has renewed its push for Kiswahili to be recognised as an official working language of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), arguing that language is central to making parliamentary institutions more inclusive and accessible.

The call was made on October 6, 2026, by The Chairperson of the Tanzania IPU Parliamentary Group at the 153rd IPU Assembly, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, during the ongoing assembly in Arusha, which has brought together more than 2,000 delegates from 184 countries.

Tanzania made the call at a time when English and French are the IPU’s official languages, while Arabic and Spanish are also used as working languages at its major meetings.

Dr Ndumbaro said Kiswahili, which he described as the only indigenous African language with international status and spoken by more than 200 million people, deserved greater recognition in international institutions.

‘Inclusivity begins with the language of the people. Tanzania renews its call for Kiswahili to be recognised as an official working language of the IPU,’ he said.

Dr Ndumbaro made the remarks while addressing delegates on governance, inclusion and the role of parliaments in responding to challenges facing citizens.

He said good governance should not be viewed as an abstract principle but measured by whether citizens could access services, participate in decision-making and trust public institutions.

‘Good governance is not just an abstract ideal. It is the daily reality of whether citizens can access services, participate in decisions, and trust the institutions which prevail,’ he said.

He said good governance should be transparent, accountable, inclusive, capable, responsive and effective, with decisions informed by reliable data, research and public consultations.

Dr Ndumbaro cited Tanzania’s ‘Parliament of Proximity’ approach, including Constituent Weeks, Mobile Committees and live Kiswahili broadcasts, as initiatives intended to bring Parliament closer to citizens.

‘These ensure that governance is not distanced but proximate and participatory,’ he said.

He also said women, young people, people with disabilities and marginalised groups should not merely be represented but meaningfully involved in decision-making.

‘Representation matters, but so does the quality of participation,’ he said.

Dr Ndumbaro said technology could widen access to information, improve service delivery and strengthen accountability when used responsibly, but warned that misuse could deepen exclusion, spread misinformation and undermine rights.

He called for parliamentary legislation on digital sovereignty to ensure innovation remained transparent, inclusive, secure and subject to democratic oversight.

The Tanzanian lawmaker also stressed the importance of civic education in preparing young people to participate in democratic processes and resist misinformation and polarisation.

‘Civic education equips young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand democratic institutions, exercise their rights, and resist misinformation and polarisation,’ he said.

On climate change, Dr Ndumbaro called for stronger parliamentary oversight of climate finance, saying commitments made at global climate meetings needed to translate into projects that benefited communities.

‘Climate justice without parliamentary scrutiny is a theatre,’ he said.

He proposed an IPU standing mechanism pairing donor-country parliaments with recipient-country parliaments to jointly oversee climate finance from the initial pledge to the completion of projects.

Dr Ndumbaro urged delegates to remain connected to the challenges facing constituents beyond parliamentary chambers, including access to electricity, clean water and employment.

‘The true test of governance is what delivers to people’s lives,’ he said.

He concluded by stressing the importance of cooperation among parliaments and nations.

‘No parliament prospers alone, no nation thrives in isolation,’ he said.