The Federal Government has warned hotel owners and managers across Nigeria against allowing their facilities to be used for illegal activities, including the movement of illicit funds, as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, issued the warning while addressing the second edition of the JAGZ Hospitality Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Fagbemi, who was represented by Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology, said the hospitality industry had an important role to play in promoting security and peaceful elections.

The conference, themed “The Hotel at the Centre: Money, Elections, Security,” brought together government officials, security personnel, financial crime regulators and hospitality industry stakeholders to examine the responsibilities of hotel operators as the country approaches another election cycle.

Fagbemi urged hotel managers to strengthen their security arrangements, maintain accurate records of guests and cooperate with relevant authorities when legally required to provide information concerning individuals or groups using their facilities.

He stressed that hotels must not become channels for illicit financial transactions or provide cover for activities capable of undermining public security during the election period.

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The Attorney-General’s warning comes as political parties, campaign organisations and political interest groups increase their activities ahead of the 2027 polls. Hotels and event centres are expected to host political meetings, campaign teams, journalists, business representatives and security personnel.

The government therefore wants hospitality operators to ensure that their businesses comply with relevant laws and financial regulations while maintaining professional standards and political neutrality.

Fagbemi’s warning also reflects growing concerns about the possible use of commercial establishments to facilitate suspicious financial transactions during election campaigns.

At the conference, stakeholders emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between hotel operators, law enforcement agencies and financial regulators to identify and address suspicious activities without disrupting legitimate hospitality services.

The convener of the conference and Group Managing Director of Charis Ultimo Hotels Limited, Lugard Agbomoagan, said the hospitality sector had evolved beyond providing accommodation to become an important part of international tourism, foreign investment, cross-border business and financial transactions.

He argued that hotel operators needed a clearer understanding of their legal obligations when dealing with customers, political organisations and transactions involving substantial sums of money.

Agbomoagan stressed that the objective was not to portray hotels as centres of criminal activity but to encourage preparedness, professionalism and compliance.

He also urged hotel managers to review their security arrangements ahead of the election period rather than wait until incidents occurred.

As an example of security preparedness, Agbomoagan said The JAGZ Hotel operated a dedicated surveillance unit that monitored closed-circuit television footage around the clock to observe activities within the premises and respond to potential security concerns.

The conference also highlighted the importance of maintaining reliable guest records and ensuring that suspicious transactions are handled in accordance with applicable anti-money laundering requirements.

The warning follows an earlier directive by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) cautioning hotel and event-centre owners in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by political organisations or factions whose leadership was not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The FCTA had directed operators to verify the status of political groups seeking to use their facilities and maintain proper records of transactions. It warned that non-compliance could attract severe consequences, including the revocation of property title documents.

Although the FCTA directive applies specifically to the Federal Capital Territory, the latest comments by the Attorney-General underline the Federal Government’s broader concerns about election security, financial transparency and the responsibilities of businesses during the political season.

However, the warning does not mean that hotels are prohibited from accommodating politicians or hosting lawful political meetings. Rather, operators are being urged to ensure that their facilities are not used to facilitate criminal activities and that they comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

With the 2027 elections approaching, hotel owners and managers face increased pressure to strengthen internal controls, protect guests and employees, maintain accurate records and cooperate appropriately with law enforcement agencies.

The Federal Government’s message is that the hospitality industry must remain professional and politically neutral while ensuring that its facilities are not exploited for illegal financial activities or other offences during the electioneering period.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has reacted to the exclusion of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, urging supporters to remain calm as his political camp works to resolve the issue.

Pantami’s name was missing from the list released by INEC on Saturday, October 10, 2026, despite his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate following a fresh primary election conducted on September 29.

In a statement shared on Pantami’s verified Facebook page, the Pantamiyya Movement’s spokesperson, Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe, described the development as a temporary setback and assured supporters that efforts were underway to address the omission.

“This is a temporary challenge and a normal part of the electoral process, not a final determination,” the statement said.

Mohammed disclosed that the movement’s legal and liaison teams were engaging with relevant PDP organs and INEC to secure what they described as a correction within the period permitted by law.

He also alleged that political opponents were working behind the scenes to frustrate Pantami’s governorship ambition, although the statement did not provide evidence identifying those allegedly involved.

The statement urged members of the PDP and the Pantamiyya Movement to remain united, continue their mobilisation and avoid being distracted by the development.

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“We urge our supporters to continue their mobilisation and to remain focused on our collective ideology of service to humanity,” Mohammed said.

INEC’s published list contains 16 governorship candidates for Gombe State, but it does not include Pantami or a PDP candidate. Among those listed are Jamilu Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bala Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Babayo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The omission comes after a series of legal disputes over the PDP’s nomination process in Gombe State.

Pantami initially emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in May 2026 after leaving the APC, where he had sought the party’s ticket. His initial nomination was subsequently challenged by fellow aspirants, including Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry.

On September 24, the Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the original nomination and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days. The court found that the earlier process did not comply with the party’s procedures and applicable electoral laws, including the exclusion of some aspirants who had been screened and cleared to participate.

The court did not grant a separate request seeking Pantami’s removal from the PDP.

Following the ruling, the PDP conducted a fresh primary on September 29, in which Pantami again emerged as the party’s candidate. However, the outcome continued to face objections from rival aspirants.

Mailantarki reportedly challenged Pantami’s eligibility, arguing that he had joined the PDP after the relevant party-register deadline. The dispute has added another layer of uncertainty to the party’s efforts to secure representation in the 2027 Gombe governorship election.

INEC has not publicly explained in the reports reviewed why Pantami’s name and the PDP’s nomination were absent from the final list.

The omission does not, on its own, establish the precise legal or administrative reason for the decision. The outcome will depend on the applicable electoral requirements and any further action by the commission, the party or the courts.

The 2027 Gombe governorship election is scheduled for February 6, 2027. With Pantami’s camp saying it is engaging the relevant institutions, attention will now focus on whether the omission can be resolved within the legally permitted period.

For the PDP, the development presents a challenge as it seeks to participate in the Gombe contest. For Pantami and his supporters, the immediate priority is to establish the reason for the omission and determine the available legal options.