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2027: Jonathan Will Make A Big Mistake If He Contests

October 17, 2025

Former President Goodluck Jonathan should ignore the calls on him to contest the 2027 presidential election, according to Israel Sunny-Goli, a former House of Representatives member from Bayelsa state. Jonathan is from Bayelsa state.

The former lawmaker gave the advice on Thursday on Channels Television Politics Today, saying Jonathan’s popularity has nosedived since he left office 10 years ago.

Jonathan failed re-election in 2015 after losing the election to late President Muhammadu Buhari. Since then, he has not been taking active part in the nation’s political activities, making some Nigerians to suggest that the former leader may have decided not to contest the nation’s Presidency again.

According to the former lawmaker, Jonathan must resist the calls on him to contest again, saying the odds are no longer in his favour, adding that it will be a big mistake for him to listen to political ‘jobbers’ who are putting pressures on him to run.

He stressed that Jonathan has not been participating in political activities in the country since he left power over a decade ago, signaling that he’s not possibly interested in contesting for office.

Sunny-Goli: “I think Jonathan will take this in good faith because he’s a good man and wants the progress of the state.

“People have been speculating about him contesting for the next elections. I believe Jonathan will not make the mistake of contesting for the 2027 elections as speculated by political jobbers, because the odds are against him.

“He has not made a move after his exit from the presidency to show that he’s still a practical politician or active politician in this country.”

Recall that a former governor of Edo state and National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole recently warned Jonathan not to contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, saying he will be utterly defeated by the incumbent.

The former governor said those pushing the former leader to run for the Nigerian Presidency do not wish him well, adding that Jonathan has become more relevant since he left office in 2015, nothing that his party, the PDP is no longer popular in the country, particularly in the South-south where the former president hails from.

Oshiomhole: “I have a lot of respect for him. Now, how can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when PDP was truly PDP. If a man had a PDP at his best, at his peak and he was defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into the race.

“There are other issues that may not be helpful to him. I think he has managed to demonstrate that out of power, you can be relevant and be at peace.

“If I were able to advise him, I will say sir, maintain this status . If I were him, I will spend the rest of my life trying to find relevance which he has already found.

“But we will defeat him if he comes out flatly very flatly because now the south are no longer PDP so where is he going to start from.”

Jonathan has yet to make a public declaration on whether he will run or not.

Abia:NLC President Tackles Otti For Not Implementing New Minimum Wage For Varsity Workers

Tosin Olatokunbo

October 17, 2025

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has faulted the alleged non-implementation of the new minimum wage for certain categories of staff at Abia State University, Uturu.

Ajaero said non-teaching staff on levels 7 to 15 in the university were excluded from the wage adjustment, while levels 1 to 6 of both teaching and non-teaching staff benefited.

He made this known on Wednesday when Governor Alex Otti received a delegation of the NLC led by him in Umuahia.

Ajaero stated, “Permit me to point out that the minimum wage (of 2024) promised and paid to Abia workers was denied to Abia State University on levels 7 to 15 of non-teaching staff, while levels 1 to 6 teaching staff and non-teaching staff benefited.”

The NLC President said his visit was motivated by issues “at a conscience level,” adding that the NLC had earlier written to the governor and others to address some pressing labour concerns.

“Basically, while we were here, there happened to be issues at a conscience level, for which we wrote a letter to the governor and other governors in the country.

“And he was one of the few who responded and gave us a closed date. This is the first official receipt we have paid to any government house in the Southeast since we came abroad,” he said.

Ajaero added that the NLC’s criticisms were aimed at helping governments improve governance and welfare delivery.

“We do our own criticism to enable any government that is concerned to do more. The issue of minimum wage to cohorts, the health sector, buses, secretariat, check-off dues, and TSS to teachers, among others, is of paramount importance to us.

“I think that the issue of even monthly check-off dues in those areas, because the one I said before was national, but in those areas, even where they have paid their arrears, the dues were not implemented.

“The question is, what is happening? Where is our money going? So, we are not afraid — the best thing is to have a first-hand discussion with the governor so that we can manage it very well,” he said.

The NLC boss commended Otti for the progress made in Abia State, saying the government’s achievements should reflect on workers’ welfare.

“Definitely, things have improved in Abia. I think that Abia is not doing badly, and it should reflect on the workers.

“We normally have NLC schools where we train workers half-time and two times a year. For some time now, we have observed that people are not coming from Abia. I think we should look into it.

“That is where the issue of maintaining industrial peace and harmony, negotiation skills, and all that is treated. Anybody who enters Abia will know that there is a big difference,” he added.

Responding, Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, describing his government as labour-friendly.

“For us, our relationship with Labour has been very cordial, and we all work for the same purpose. Because at the end of the day, government is about the welfare of the people, and who are the people? The people who work,” Otti said.

He disclosed that his administration recently recruited 5,394 new teachers and was in the process of employing 771 health professionals to strengthen the education and health sectors.

“You may also have heard that not too long ago, precisely by the 22nd of last month, 5,394 new teachers were recruited and deployed to our schools.

“Interestingly, the minimum wage for teachers is higher than the ordinary minimum wage. As we speak, we are hiring about 771 medical professionals to deploy to our hospitals,” he stated

Punch

FCMB Group Presents Facts Behind N160bn Public Offer

Tosin Olatokunbo

October 17, 2025

FCMB Group Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, on Monday, October 13, 2025, presented the Facts Behind the Offer at the Nigerian Exchange, NGX, in Lagos. The session, attended by capital market operators, fund managers, analysts, and other stakeholders, provided insights into the Group’s fundamentals, growth strategy, and rationale for its ongoing public share offer.

The event followed the Analyst and Investor Session held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, where the Group’s leadership discussed performance trends, strategic direction, and progress in delivering long-term value.

FCMB Group launched a ₦160 billion public share offer on October 2, 2025, to enable First City Monument Bank Limited, which has already secured its national banking licence, to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new ₦500 billion capital requirement for international banks. The offer, comprising 16 billion shares at ₦10 each, will close on November 6, 2025.

This capital raise follows a ₦147.5 billion share sale in 2024, the first in 16 years, which was oversubscribed by 33% and attracted over 42,800 investors, 92% of whom participated through digital channels. Analysts expect this strong investor confidence to continue into the second phase of FCMB’s three-stage recapitalisation plan.

After the current share offer, the Group plans to conclude the sale of minority stakes in two subsidiaries, with proceeds to be injected into the bank. This will position the Group’s qualifying core capital well above ₦500 billion, effectively completing its recapitalisation programme and securing its international banking licence.

PDP Convention: Judgment Will Be Delivered In 2wks- Court

Tosin Olatokunbo

October 17, 2025

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has promised to deliver judgment before the end of October on the litigation purporting to stop the upcoming Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The National Convention has been slated for November 15, 2025 by the opposition political party.

The judge said hearing on the suit will be accelerated to ensure that the deadline is achieved.

Three members of the PDP filed the suit against their party.

Omotosho spoke on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital following complaint by Chris Uche, one of the counsels to the PDP that the suit if delayed could prevent the PDP Convention from going ahead.

He said the court would not entertain any delay tactics from the parties in the suit, warning those involved not to take any action that will be pre-judicial to the case.

Omotosho: “You and I, as lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit is filed in respect of any matter and parties have been served with processes, it is the law that no party should take any step in respect of such suit.

“The court must not be over-reached and where such is done, the court has power to issue a consequential order, nullifying such act. We all know the law and please, let us respect the law. It is in our collective interest.

“In the instant case, I can assure you that the court decision will be made between now and end of October.

“On the day of the judgment, parties will be given copies of the judgment. I type my own judgments myself, so there will be no issue of any delay.

The judge also set Monday October 20, 2025 for the definite hearing of the suit.

The magazine had earlier reported that the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagun clashed with the party’s National Legal Adviser over who to represent the party in the case.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Wife Begs Judge For Husband’s Health, Asks: “Does His Life Not Matter To You?”

The Source

October 17, 2025

By Charles Igbo

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s wife has made an angry appeal to the Honourable Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. “Don’t allow my husband to die in detention. Does his life not matter to you?, she asked the trial Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday, October 16, in an open letter to him.

Her husband is being prosecuted in Omotosho’s Court for sundry issues, including treasonable felony.

Her appeal comes on the heels of the confirmation, through a medical assessment orderd by the Judge, that the IPOB Leader is strong enough to stand trial, and that the medical facilities and the Medical team at the Department of State Services, DSS, where Kanu has been in detention since 2021, are capable of taking care of his health.

Kanu’s personal Doctor and the DSS had disagreed over the status of Kanu’s health and the capability of the DSS Medical and the facilities at their hospital to handle Kanu’s ailment. While his Doctor wrote off the facilities at the DSS, and recommended that Kanu be transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, or a hospital outside the Country for urgent treatment, the Agency thought otherwise.

The disagreement prompted Justice Omotosho to direct the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to set up a Medical Team to assess Kanu and determine his state of health.

The result of the assessment was made public in Court on Thursday, October 16. And the findings: Kanu is fit to stand trial, and both the DSS hospital and Medical Team, capable of handling him. The team also said he was in no immediate danger.

But an outraged Kanu’s wife disagrees. She said her husband’s health was not only bad, but critical. Her appeal to the Judge: “Ignore the presentation of the Medical team, it is not correct. There was no assessment. Save my husband’s life.” She was also worried about the delay in concluding the case and told the Judge not to make her lose the confidence she reposed reposed in him.

Her letter reads in part:

“When Your Lordship took over Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case in 2025, if my memory isn’t failing me, I believed strongly justice was at hand having read about your impeccable reputation and astute judgement. However, with the recent happening in Court, I can only wonder if the attributes were exaggerated.

“My despondency stems from two main reasons: The current indecisiveness in every court sittings which is a big contrast to the ‘accelerated hearing’ you called for when you came on board, stating how the matter had lingered for too long, putting in cognizance Nnamdi Kanu as a father, husband, brother and son. The dramatic turn of events is looking like a deliberate plan to keep stalling the case while the defendant languishes in the DSS dungeon.

“The deteriorating health of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was caused primarily as a result of the torture and the inhumane treatment meted out on him when he was illegally brought back to Nigeria from Kenya. He was dumped in a dark, poorly ventilated cell in the DSS dungeon, with no access to treat his wounds or reach out to his loved ones.

Your Lordship, you mandated the Nigerian Medical Association to conduct a medical assessment on the defendant because obviously, you were in doubt of MNK’s seasoned doctors. The body never conducted nor submitted any medical report as reported. Rather the DSS came up with a disjointed report which was reportedly presented in Court today unethically.

“Your Lordship, you are not ignorant of the medical system in Nigeria, reason virtually all politicians, office holders, the elites, etc, fly to other countries with their kids for medical attention, including the President and Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces, because they lack faith in their own country’s medical system. I can, also, guess you do the same

“Why then will Your Lordship, deny Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the opportunity to be transferred to at least any manageable hospital in Abuja rather than subjecting him to that poorly-equipped DSS health centre, the same environment, and same people that kept him in that condition?

“In one of the Court sittings, you mentioned that MNK has to be alive and healthy to stand for this case. What changed Your Lordship? Why is MNK’s failing health not being taken seriously? Does his life not matter to you? I make bold to say that Nnamdi Kanu has been victimised for too long.”

At Thursday’s hearing Justice Omotosho asked Kanu to open his defence on October 23 and conclude it on October 30.

The Honourable Justice Omotosho is the second Judge to handle Kanu’s case. The first Judge, the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako was asked by Kanu to recuse herself from the case She did.

Faced With Strong Condemnations, FG Says Presidential Pardon To 175 Convicts Still Under Review

The Source

October 17, 2025

By Gideon Njoku

Obviously taken aback by the deluge of strong Condemnations which greeted the Presidential Pardon to 175 convicts by President Bola Tinubu, endorsed by the Council of State, on the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, headed by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Federal Government said on Thursday, October 16, that the list was still under review.

Not a few Nigerians were shocked by the categories of convicts listed. While they agreed that some on the list merited it, there was a collective outrage over some of the names. They included murderers, kidnappers, armed robbers and drug lords.

The outrage was defeaning and attracted condemnations from across the country.

However, on Thursday, the Federal Government, in a statement, emphasised that no convicts, so pardoned, has been released from jail. Meaning that there is no implementation, so far, even for those whose jail terms were reduced.

The process of implementing it, the FG said, is still undergoing final administrative process and being verified. A review of the list of beneficiaries is being carried out before the issuance of formal instruments of release.

The AGF in a statement clarified that although the Council of State had approved the recommendations for clemency, the final stage requires a detailed review to ensure all names comply with legal and procedural standards.

The statement read: “The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.

“The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.”

He, also, said that the issuance of the instrument of implementation is the last phase of the process. Only after that will the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service be authorised to act.

According to him, the final review phase is “standard protocol and demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparency, due diligence, and the rule of law.

“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy.

“As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”

The questions being asked, however, are: “If the list had not been reviewed, why did the President approve? Why was it presented before the Council of State for endorsement? Why did the Presidency make the names public before making sure that all the beneficiaries merited it? Is it possible to withdraw some names after a Presidential approval?

Some of those who benefited from the exercise are a foremost nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, executed for the 1986 Military Coup D’etat, Farouk Lawan, former Member House of Representatives, jailed for bribery, Ken Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues, executed for the circumstances which led to the gruesome murder of four prominent Ogoni sons, and Maryam Sanda, condemned to death by hanging for the horrific murder of her husband in 2020.

Rivers Goes After Ibas, Revokes His N134b Secretariat Contract, Demands Refund Of Mobilization Fee From Contractor

Ayodele Oni

October 16, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Rivers State has taken step to revisit some of the actions initiated during the period of emergency rule in the state.

To this end, the state Executive Council has cancelled a N134 billion contract awarded by the past sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibokete Ibas (rtd).

The contract was for the reconstruction of the ageing State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt. The contract was awarded to CCECC during the period of emergency rule by Ibas.

The Council, which reached this decision on Thursday, at its meeting, also directed the company to refund the N20 billion mobilisation fee it has already received.

It also approved a six-man committee headed by the deputy governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, to evaluate and make recommendations for the construction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state to facilitate the conduct of external examinations.

The Council further directed the flood committee headed by the deputy governor to take immediate action to address flooding in the state and cautioned residents against blocking drainage channels.

Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

Ayodele Oni

October 16, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Senate has confirmed Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan, a professor of Law, was confirmed by the upper chamber after his screening on Thursday.

Report stated that in his over two-hour submissions during the screening, Amupitan vowed to ensure INEC’s independence.

One of the critical questions he had to answer came from Senator Seriake Dickson, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), representing Bayelsa West, who asked if the nominee was involved in any form in the 2023 presidential election tribunal.

Amupitan said emphatically that he did not participate in the tribunal, or the appeal that followed at the Supreme Court.

There had been speculations that Amupitan was part of the legal team of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections litigations.

“When I was coming here, I bought the certified true copy of the legal appearances at the tribunal and the Supreme Court. I was not part of it. I never, I did not partake in it’, he said.

The National Council of State had approved the nomination of Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Prof Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.

President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.

Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.

Edo Reintroduces Teaching Of Indigenous Languages In Schools

Ayodele Oni

October 16, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Teaching of indigenous languages in schools in Edo state is now compulsory as the State Government is set to legalize it.

Governor, Monday Okpebholo, announced the reintroduction of Edo languages into the state’s school curriculum, as part of his administration’s efforts to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and promote indigenous knowledge.

Okpebholo made the announcement during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Esan Okpa Initiative to Government House, Benin City.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the Esan people, describing them as a “critical pillar” of his administration’s success. He disclosed that the Ministry of Education has been directed to intensify school rehabilitation across the state.

“We will continue massive renovation and fencing of schools, provide boreholes, toilets, seats and desks, and begin installing solar lights. We are also rolling out a school access programme that gives children hands-on computer experience.”

On language preservation, the Governor stressed the importance of starting from the grassroots:“We must start from home.

“We will reintroduce vernacular into our school system so that every tribe begins to learn and speak their language, ensuring that no language goes into extinction.”

Governor Okpebholo also reaffirmed his commitment to reviving Ambrose Alli University (AAU), describing its restoration as “a victory for the people.”

He highlighted key projects across the state, including road construction, transportation, healthcare, and security reforms.

According to him, 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses have been ordered to improve transportation across Edo’s three senatorial districts. In the health sector, 65 primary healthcare centres have been completed or rehabilitated.

He added that work is ongoing on the Ekpoma–Uromi–Ubiaja Road, with compensation already being paid to affected property owners. Construction is expected to accelerate during the dry season, reducing travel time between Ekpoma and Auchi to about 35 minutes.

On security, the Governor revealed plans for decentralization and increased personnel:

“We are working seriously on security. New equipment has been procured, and a new mobile barracks in the central district will soon be operational. We trained over 2,000 personnel and placed them on the government payroll, and we are considering engaging local hunters to strengthen community security,” he said.

The Governor reiterated that his administration is focused on delivering legacy projects that will outlive his tenure.

“My concern is legacy — what we will leave behind for our people. That is the true essence of leadership,” he added.

Earlier, President of the Esan Okpa Initiative, Mathew Egbadon, commended the Governor for his strides in education, infrastructure, and governance, while stressing the urgent need to protect and promote the Esan language.

“Protecting and advancing Esan language, culture and values is critical. Esan language is disappearing because many of our people no longer speak it, and it is no longer taught in schools.

“Reintroducing it into the curriculum will align with the 2022 National Language Policy, which mandates the use of indigenous languages as the primary medium of instruction in the first six years of primary education.”

He praised the Governor’s achievements, including Edo’s inclusion in the Federal Government’s ₦142 billion modern bus terminal project — the only state in the South-South to benefit.

“We have seen your work. New roads are being built, schools are being rehabilitated, and over 4,000 teachers have been regularised. You have returned Edo to the national development map,” he said.

He also called for support for independent power generation in Esanland through private investment models similar to Ossiomo and Azura, and advocated for agro-based industries and stronger sec?urity support in rural communities.

Nobody Can Capture Any State Because Of Governor’s Defection” – Obi

The Source

October 16, 2025

…Salutes Sowore Group

The Labour Party Leader and 2023 Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi has said that no political party can capture any state electorally because a governor defects to it.

Obi, who was responding to reporters who accosted him in Abuja to react to the gale of defections to the ruling APC, especially in the South East, said that this is a democracy, not military rule, where states are captured.

The people will decide where to go, not governors or Senators, no party will capture or win any state just because it has a governor.

On Mbah’s defection and APC’s alleged move to capture the South-East for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Obi said

, “Peter Mbah is a good friend of mine. And I believe that as governor, he must have taken his decision based on his own political views and calculations”

“As for the alleged plot to capture the South-East, we are not in a military time when you capture people. You are a leader. You tend to do the right things for them to follow you. So I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere”

“The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it.

On the planned protest for the release of Mazi Nnamani Kanu by political activist Omoyele Sowore,

The former Anambra State Governor said “I’ve always been consistent on Nnamdi Kanu’s situation. There was no need for his arrest in the first place. And I’ve always said that for me, I will consult, negotiate and discuss with anybody who is agitating. I said it clearly and I remain there.

“I thank those who are actually trying to do or say what we’ve been saying for a long time. Go and check what I’ve said before 2020, 202,2ando even 2024. And now that it has gone to court, the rules should be followed. Not just for Nnamdi Kanu, but for all agitators across the nation. Let’s dialogue with them”

“There’s nothing wrong with anybody agitating or saying let’s dialogue with them. And whatever we do with them, let’s follow the rules. So I thank the organisers and those who are involved.”

On his expectations from the new INEC chair ahead of the 2027 election, Obi said

, “Very simple. He’s a Nigerian. We want a new Nigeria where elections will be free, fair and credible and our people who have the competence, capacity, compassion, character and commitment to lead the nation are elected.

“It’s for the good of everybody. None of us is going to be here forever, and none of us is going to be in his position forever. So whatever position we find ourselves in, it’s to do the right thing. So I wish him well.

“When he (Amupitan) is confirmed, I will congratulate him and tell him to know that one day he’s going to leave that post. Let him ensure that he keeps his reputation

Obi who spoke to the journalist on the sidelines when he accompanied the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the February 2026 FCT Council elections, Dr Moses Paul, on a visit to LEA Nursery/Primary School, Kapwa, a suburb of Abuja, said education is the bedrock of any society.

He decried the dilapidated state of the school, noting that the school furniture is in “irreparable conditions.”

Obi wondered why a school with over 200 pupils had no toilet facilities, and promised to give the school a facelift.

“The most important thing we can do as a nation is to invest in basic education. Investment in children is the most important.

“I am here today to support my brother, Dr Moses Paul, the ADC candidate contesting for the AMAC Council. You know he is campaigning and going round the communities in his constituency.

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