Why Anambra Indigenes Must Shun Sit-At-Home Order – Gov. Soludo

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January 30, 2026

Charles Soludo - Governor of Anambra State

By Ayodele Oni

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has met with various market leaders in the state, and urged them to contribute meaningfully to the economy of the State by opening for business, specifically, on Mondays and all viable days.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Soludo gave the directive on Thursday in Awka during an interactive session with market and line leaders from across the state.

“We will deploy stronger measures to enforce compliance, as many of those enforcing the sit-at-home are not indigenes of Anambra.”

The governor told traders that his government was considering a “renovate or rebuild” option for the market facility.

He said the project would either a redevelopment of the market into a modern trading hub or a comprehensive modernisation of the existing structures.

He said regardless of the option adopted, Monday market closures will no longer be tolerated.

Soludo said, “The sit-at-home practice has evolved from a political protest into a criminal activity and it is not in anyway linked to Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

“I do not support the sit-at-home order and it is not even observed in Umuahia, his hometown.

He also appealed for improved security presence in markets to ensure the safety of traders and customers.

He further called for the full operation of motor parks to enable the inflow of buyers from within and outside the state, as well as action against those who benefitted from or facilitated the enforcement of the sit-at-home.

Soludo assured traders that the state government would overhaul the security architecture around markets to prevent harassment and guarantee the safety of lives and property.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring normal commercial activities across the state.

Responding, the market leaders expressed readiness to comply with the directive, but raised concerns about security and logistics.

The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Mr Chijioke Okpalugo, said traders would commence Monday trading in line with the governor’s vision.

According to NAN, the meeting was convened against the backdrop of the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and the lingering Monday sit-at-home practice in parts of the South-East.

One Trillion Naira Kano Metro Rail Line Project Is A Scam – Activist Mahdi Shehu

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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January 30, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Renowned social critic and activist, Muhammad Mahdi Shehu, has dismissed the purported Federal Government’s approval of a Metro Rail line project worth about a Ntrillion for Kano State as a huge deception, and completely lacking in credibility and substance.

The Source reports that Governor Abba Yusuf had, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at a ceremony to receive the State’s contingent to the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition hosted by Borno State, informed that the project, which has been graciously approved by President Bola Tinubu, when completed, will serve to stimulate the economy, and fast-track development in Kano State.

“The project aims to provide a modern, effecient, and affordable mass transit system connecting key districts and enhancing mobility for the residents.

“It is expected to stimulate trade and investment, improve quality of life and position Kano as a major transportation hub in Northern Nigeria”, Governor Yusuf stated.

The announcement of the mega project came just days after the defection of Governor Yusuf to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The defection, however, came amidst heightened tension and disagreements between the camps of Governor Yusuf and his eirstwhile political godfather and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The move has also expectedly raised the political temperature of the commercial nerve centre of the Northern region, with not a few perceiving it as a dangerous political gambit by the Governor.

But reacting on his official site, Shehu, in a statement entitled “Emotional Rail Project for Kano State: another political deception”, described the announcement of the so-called metro rail line as an ingenious way to deceive the unsuspecting people of Kano in the face of the Governor’s decision to join what he described as “gorilla and reptiles club where venoms flow.”

According to him, the deceptive nature of the project is underscored by the fact that there is no provision for same in the 2026 Federal Government budgetary estimates.

He noted that no memo in relation to the said project has been received and deliberated on by the Federal Executive Council.

“This is pure deception. There is no provision for such a project in the 2026 budget proposal.

“No such memo has been presented to the Federal Executive Council FEC for deliberation.

“There is no design on the ground, no contractor, and no consultants.

“Just to deceive Kano State people because Governor Abba has joined the gorillas and reptiles club where venoms flow”, Shehu stated.

Edo Gov. Okpebholo Appoints New CoS In Cabinet Reshuffle

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Ayodele Oni

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January 30, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The Edo State Government has announced a minor reshuffle in which the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gani Audu becomes a commissioner.

Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa commissioner for Lands and Housing is now new Chief of Staff to the Governor.

This was contained in an official letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Umar Musa Ikhilor.

It explained that the reshuffle of the State Executive Council is part of efforts to strengthen governance, improve service delivery, and enhance administrative efficiency.

According to the letter, Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae moves from Commissioner for Oil and Gas Resources to the Ministry of Lands and Housing as Commissioner.

Hon. Gani Audu, former Chief of Staff, is nominated as Commissioner for Oil and Gas Resources, subject to confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The reshuffle takes effect from January 30, 2026.

Government says the changes are strategic steps to improve coordination, strengthen policy implementation, and ensure more effective governance for the people of Edo State.

Anthony Joshua Fights Back Tears, Recounts Vehicle Accident That Claimed Lives Of His Friends

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 30, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Weeks after the tragic incident that claimed the lives of Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele And Sina Ghami, friends of former World Boxing Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua, the pugilist couldn’t hold back tears as he spoke publicly about their demise for the first time.

The two lost their lives in a ghastly Motor on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on the 29th December, 2025, in which the Nigeria-British Boxer sustained injuries and was hospitalised. He was discharged two days later.

In an emotional video on his YouTube channel, Thursday, the 36-year-old thanked fans across the world for their support during what he described as a “tragic, traumatic time.”

He said: “The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami. We had so many plans to wrap up 2025.

“We went home to see our families, and everything just flipped on its head. That was such an unforeseen circumstance that was out of all of our control.”

The Boxer said the loss of Ayodele and Ghami had left a deep void in his life.

“We lost two great men. People we really cared about, major players in all of our lives. It’s tough. It’s really tough,” he added.

‘I was walking with giants’.

He described the duo as more than just members of his team.

“They were my brothers, my friends first and foremost. Then we became business partners, hustlers, generals — everything. We even lived together,” he said.

“I know people think I’m the big guy, but I was walking with giants. Protected.”

He further stressed that he was choosing not to publicly display all his emotions but acknowledged the pain of the loss.

The pugilist said support from fans kept him strong, expressing his gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans worldwide, noting that the messages of condolence had been received and appreciated by the families of the deceased.

“We saw the messages, the tweets, the social media posts, the prayers. It’s all been acknowledged,” he said.

He also pledged to stand by the families of Ayodele and Ghami.

“We know what we’re going to do. Mumma Latz, Mumma Sina, Pappa Latz, Pappa Sina — one love,” he said.

“President Tinubu Surrounds Himself With People Who Don’t Know Politics” – Ndume

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Ayodele Oni

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January 30, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The President surrounds himself only with those who know Ikoyi and Victoria Island and fly abroad

President Bola Tinubu has been accused of surrounding himself with political neophytes bereft of fresh ideas on how to move Nigeria forward.

Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, said that President Tinubu surrounds himself with people “who only know Ikoyi and Victoria Island and then fly abroad to meet their families,” stressing that they don’t know anything about politics.

Ndume spoke when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’, which is monitored by Urban Express News.

According to him, Tinubu succeeded as governor of Lagos state because he had good people around him, adding that most of those people have been sidelined.

“The President had good people around him when he was the governor of Lagos. That was why he succeeded. But a lot of those same people, most of them are not there again. They have been sidelined.

“Now he just picks people who only know Ikoyi and Victoria Island and fly to London or America, where their families are living. People are not even fully Nigerians like you. These people don’t know politics.

“The president has a lot of people that he knows politically. The first candidate he supported was from the North, it didn’t work.

“The second candidate he supported was from the north, it didn’t work. The third one was the one that worked. So now he said, it’s my turn. That is why the terminology ’emilokan’ came out.

“And now, instead of him bringing in the team that will look him in the face and tell him the truth, he decided to surround himself by people who don’t know politics.”

Military Arrests Nollywood Actor, Stanley Amandi Over Alleged Coup To Topple Tinubu’s Government

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 30, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Stanley Amandi, Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, has been arrested by the Military for, allegedly, being part of a Coup Plot to topple the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Though, the plot was aborted, but the Army has arrested those involved, including Amandi.

He was a former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Enugu State Chapter.

The Actor, it is reported, has been in detention since September 2025 alongside, allegedly, 35 military officers and a Policeman accused of planning a violent overthrow of the Tinubu Government which allegedly, could have included assassination of top officials.

It was reported that the coup plotters planned a wholesale assassination of top government officials including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.

The actor, it is alleged was hired to serve as a propagandist for the alleged coup plotters.

A few days ago, the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, confirmed the plan to oust the Tinubu administration and said the indicted officers will be arraigned before military judicial panels.

The statement said that investigation has been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”

According to the military, the investigation was “comprehensive” and conducted in line with established procedures, examining “all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.”

It, however, disclosed that the findings identified “a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such conduct as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

Military Officers among the suspects will first face Court Martials before possible Civil Proceedings, while Civilians implicated in the alleged plot, including Amandi, will be tried in Civil Courts.

The Actor has featured in many Nollywood movies and is known for his work as an actor, production manager and director.

His notable works include “The Album,” where he served as director; “Tiger King,” where he also served as director and produced in 2008; “Cornerstone,” produced in 2019; and “Once Upon a Dream,” in which he appeared as an actor in 2024.

His last Instagram post was on 19 September 2025, shortly before his arrest, and he had not been seen anywhere in public since then.

Legal Expert Dismisses Fresh Judgement On PDP National Convention

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Ayodele Oni

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January 30, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

In what is being described as the latest twist in the protracted crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has nullified the National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025.

The court barred members of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP.

The court also ruled that the Caretaker Committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu is the only recognised NWC of the PDP, pending the conduct of a valid National Convention.

Reacting to the judgement, Yakubu Pwajok, a Law Lecturer in Jos, Plateau State, stated that “The recent judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, or any related Federal High Court proceedings interpreted in connection with the party’s affairs, purporting to affect the leadership, convention, or internal processes of our great party, is a nullity and of no legal effect.

“This position is firmly grounded in established principles of Nigerian jurisprudence: once an appeal has been duly filed and the Court of Appeal is seized of jurisdiction over the subject matter, lower courts are divested of the competence to further entertain, vary, or deliver judgments that interfere with or prejudice the appellate process.

“Any such action by a court of coordinate or lower jurisdiction amounts to an improper interference and renders the purported decision a nullity ab initio.

Key Legal Observations:

“Judicial Overreach: The matter before the judge had no bearing on the purported Abdulrahman caretaker committee. It is, therefore, a clear violation of judicial ethics and an overreach of authority for a judge to grant reliefs not sought by the defendants.

” Pendency of Appeal: The appellate court is now actively seized of the appeals, including those challenging the validity and implications of prior rulings on PDP internal affairs, the convention processes held in Ibadan on November 15–16, 2025, and related executive leadership matters.

“Preservation of the Res: In line with precedents from superior courts, including the Supreme Court, no lower court can lawfully pronounce on or enforce decisions on the identical res (subject matter) while an appeal is pending.

“The doctrine against the multiplicity of actions and the necessity of preserving the res during an appeal strictly prohibits such overreach.

“Consequently, any judgment emerging from the Federal High Court in Ibadan, or any misapplication of prior rulings to ongoing matters, is incompetent, null, void, and of no consequence whatsoever.

“All party faithful, stakeholders, and the general public should disregard any pronouncements or actions predicated on this impugned judgment. They lack legal foundation and will not be recognized by the party.”

Senator Ndume Says Only Senate Committee Can Authenticate Genuineness Of New Tax Bill

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Ayodele Oni

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January 30, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

As the authenticity of the new tax law as signed by President Bola Tinubu continues, the Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has advised the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to constitute a committee to look into alleged discrepancies in the new tax law passed by the red chamber.

Ndume declared: “I’m surprised that the Senate President said there’s no adulteration. He’s not supposed to do that. He’s supposed to say, okay, we’ll find out. Set up a committee, because the House of Representatives has done that too, to find out.

“I will talk to him on that. This is not something that they can just bury. You know why? You cannot build on nothing, or you cannot build on disputed grounds

Godswill Akpabio - Senate President — Godswill Akpabio, Senate President.

Recall that Akpabio, during Wednesday’s plenary said the new tax law is not adulterated as the public has perceived it.

However, Ndume, during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme, Ndume slammed Akpabio, insisting that the new tax is fundamentally flawed.

According to Ndume, there are at least two versions of the Gazette for the new tax law, stressing that he was among those who identified the differences between what was passed and what President Bola Tinubu signed.

The Senator stated that Akpabio ought to set up a committee to find out the discrepancies rather than saying there is no adulteration.

He said, “We called the leadership to let them know that what we passed is not what the president signed. I don’t know why Sen. Akpabio is saying there are no discrepancies when he should set up a committee to find out.

“You will agree with me that even the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on tax reform, Taiwo Oyedele, admitted that they are differentials, two versions, or at least two versions of the tax law, and that if something has to be done, it has to be the National Assembly.

“My problem is not whether there are discrepancies or not. I’m worried about doing things behind closed doors.

“This is government of the people, for the people and by the people. And for God’s sake, why would you hide anything, even if it is personal?

“What if somebody now goes to court? You think the court will not listen to them? The way they are going about it up initial is full of contradiction and controversy.”

Recall that last week, the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde also raised concerns about the new tax laws, saying neither state governors nor Nigerians know what was eventually passed by the National Assembly or signed into law.

Makinde spoke while addressing former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a public event, where he openly expressed regret over Osinbajo’s exit from office, citing what he described as a decline in openness and consultative governance under the President Tinubu’s administration.

Heroic Welcome For Bauchi Commissioner Following Bail By Abuja Court

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Ayodele Oni

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January 30, 2026

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Yakubu Adamu — Heroic Welcome For Bauchi Commissioner Following Bail By Abuja Court

By Ayodele Oni

After being granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on alleged terrorism financing case, Bauchi State Commissioner of finance, Dr Yakubu Adamu arrived Bauchi into the waiting hands of crowd that came to welcome him.

A mammoth crowd besieged the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to receive the Commissioner and his entourage.

The supporters, who converged from different parts of Bauchi State, received the commissioner with prayers and chants, expressing confidence in his innocence and solidarity as the legal proceedings continue.

Due to the large crowd that received him, the commissioner’s convoy moved at a snail pace from the airport to the city.

The enthusiastic crowd sang and danced as they joined the Adamu’s convoy to the city.

Some of the supporters, who spoke to newsmen, described the court’s decision to grant bail as a positive development and urged the public to remain calm and allow the judicial process to take its course.

Addressing the gathering later at his family residence, Dr. Yakubu Adamu expressed appreciation to the people of Bauchi State and others for their prayers and support throughout the period of the trial.

He called on his supporters to remain law-abiding and to continue to respect constituted authorities.

The commissioner also urged residents of the state to continue to support the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in its efforts to fast-track development across the state.

A federal high court in Abuja among the bail conditions, ordered the Bauchi State commissioner for finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants to report weekly to the Department of State Services (DSS) until the conclusion of their ongoing trial on charges of terrorism financing and money laundering.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the directive as part of stringent conditions attached to the N100m bail granted to the defendants.

In his ruling, the judge said the accused had placed sufficient materials before the court to justify the exercise of judicial discretion in their favour.

Each defendant was ordered to produce two sureties, who must be a permanent secretary and a director in the civil service, and to deposit their international passports with the court registry.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter until 26 February for the commencement of trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants on 10 counts bordering on terrorism financing and money laundering.

Standing trial alongside Adamu are Balarabe Ilelah, Aminu Bose and Kabiru Mohammed, all described by the prosecution as senior civil servants in Bauchi State.

The defendants had earlier been denied bail in December by Justice Emeka Nwite, who was sitting as a vacation judge.

At the time, Nwite ruled that the allegations against them were too serious to warrant their release, citing concerns over national security and public safety.

Following the reassignment of the case after the court’s vacation, the defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Umar on 16 January and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Arguments on their renewed bail application were heard and reserved for ruling on 21 January.

In urging the court to grant bail, defence counsel, Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria, told the court that new and additional facts had emerged since the earlier refusal.

He argued that Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and named in nine of the 10 counts, had never been convicted of any terrorism-related offence.

Uche said that although Bodejo had previously been charged by the federal government in a separate case, the charge was withdrawn and dismissed by the court on 29 May 2024.

He also contended that there was no proscription order in the federal government’s official gazette designating Bodejo or his organisation as a terrorist entity, as required under section 48(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

According to the defence, the absence of such designation weakened the prosecution’s case and justified the grant of bail.

Uche further relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendants.

Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi state, and the other accused were first arraigned on 31 December 2025.

On 5 January 2026, Justice Nwite refused their bail application and ordered their remand at the Kuje correctional centre, fixing 13 January for trial.

The case file was later returned to the chief judge for reassignment after the end of the court’s vacation.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, was filed on 30 December 2025 by EFCC counsel Samuel Chime.

In one of the counts, the defendants and two others said to be at large are accused of conspiring between January and May 2024 to provide $2.3m in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.

The funds were allegedly approved by the Bauchi state government and used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist group, an offence said to be contrary to section 26(1) and punishable under section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The case remains pending before the Federal High Court, while Dr. Yakubu Adamu is expected to continue to comply with the bail conditions.

2027: PDP Will Defeat Tinubu If It Gets The Right Candidate – NNPP Chieftain

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James Orji

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January 30, 2026

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A chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadinma has downplayed the mass defection of the opposition state governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as a ploy for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win in the 2027 presidential election.

Galadinma, a former member of the APC and ally of NNPP strongman, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said the president is trying to kill the opposition to serve his interest of returning to power in the next election. The NNPP chieftain however stated that things will not go as planned for the president, saying he will lose his reelection bid.

According to the Tribune Newspapers, Galadinma who spoke on the state of the nation and the upcoming general election next year, noted that it’s a big mistake for President Tinubu and APC to believe that their interest in wining the next election will be achieved by swallowing up the opposition.

Galadinma stressed that Nigerians are ready to rally an opposition leader to chase away the APC from power, adding that talks are ongoing among key opposition leaders in the country to form a single from against the ruling party in 2027.

He cited former President goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra state and Labour Party, LP presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election as credible opposition leaders capable of defeating President Tinubu in the next election, if they are allowed to run under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“If the PDP gets hold of the candidate they are looking at, that party will form the next government in 2027,” he said.

Former President Jonathan ran the country for five years under the PDP, and has been recently touted to be among potential candidates of the PDP for the next presidential election.

The former president has yet to declare his intention to run again for the nation’s highest office.

Also, Obi, who recently joined the ADC has been mentioned as a front-runner in the election, capable of upsetting the APC strangle hold on power in the next persidential election.

The former governor, has also been mention as one of the candidates being considered by the PDP, to fly its flag, in case his plans in the ADC failed to materialise.

Galadinma warned that for the opposition to oust the ruling APC, the choice of a presidential candidate really matters a lot.

“The choice of the candidate is going to be paramount in 2027,” he stated.

“If the PDP gets hold of the candidate they are looking at, that party will form the next government in 2027.”

He added that the crisis currently bedeviling the former ruling party would peter into oblivion when the time comes.

“I want you to quote me, PDP will win the presidential election in 2027. Tinubu will go,” Galadinma said.

Not a few political analysts insist that Galadinma prediction far-fetched due to the leadership crisis and a slew of court litigations that have bogged down the party for months, which almost destroyed its position as a major opposition party in the country.