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2027: “Jonathan Qualifies To Run For  Presidency” – Onoh, APC Chieftain Replies Bayo Onanuga

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Josef Onoh

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In what looks like a crack in the ranks of the support base of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, the former spokesperson for the South East Tinubu Campaign Organization, Dr. Josef Onoh, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eminently qualified to contest for the nation’s top job in 2027.

The scion of C. C. Onoh family and brother of President Tinubu’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, faulted the position of President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, who claimed that the rumoured return plan of Jonathan will be subject to legal scrutiny.

Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, September 29, 2025, while welcoming the much speculated plan by the former President to contest against Tinubu in 2027, warned that Jonathan is not constitutionally qualified to contest, having been sworn-in twice as President of the country.

According to Onanuga, having been sworn-in as President first in 2010 , following the death of former president Umar Musa Yar’Adua, and in 2011, after the general elections , Jonathan can not be sworn-in for the third time as Nigerian leader.

The President’s media aide pointedly told  Jonathan to get ready for a legal firework to determine his eligibility or otherwise for the 2027 presidential contest.

“Don’t get us wrong. President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right. President Tinubu will wholeheartedly welcome him if he decides to enter the race.

“But Jonathan will have his day in Court to determine whether

having been sworn-in twice as President, he is constitutionally eligible to contest and if successful, be sworn-in for a third term”, Onanuga stated.

But at an interactive session with the media in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital on Tuesday, Onoh, a Chieftain of the APC from Enugu State, insisted that the issue of the eligibility and or otherwise of Jonathan to contest for the Presidency has long been legally settled.

“The eligibility of former President Jonathan under constitutional term limits is already a settled legal precedent .

“It was established through unchallenged judicial rulings that affirmed his qualification to contest future elections.

” In May, 2022, a Federal High Court Judgment in Yenagoa, with Suit No ( FHC/YNG/CS /86/2022, in which Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled on a case brought by APC members, Andy Solomon and Ibidiye Abraham, against Jonathan, the APC and INEC, the Court held that Jonathan’s assumption of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, was a succession to complete Yar’Adua’s unexpired term under the doctrine of necessity, and did not count toward the two-term limit for elected mandates

“The 2018 Constitutional amendment,which added Section 137 (3) to bar anyone sworn in twice from further contests ,does not apply retroactively to Jonathan.

“The amendment post-dated his tenures, and cannot retroactively disqualify rights accrued under the pre-amendment framework”, Onoh stated.

According to him, the ex-post facto laws are impermissible under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, citing the 2015 Court of Appeal verdict in Cyriacus Njoku v Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Onoh insisted that since the 2022 ruling was never appealed and upturned, the  judgment remains final and binding under what he described as res judicata.

“Any suggestions that the courts might revisit this issue is legally unfounded. Nigerian jurisprudence, including Supreme Court decisions such as Marwa v.Nyako (2012) upholds such finality to ensure certainty and prevent endless challenges to settled rights”, he noted.

To  buttress the fact that the matter has been settled, the son of the former Governor of old Anambra State, Christian C Onoh, further cited a Federal High Court in 2013 ,( Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2013 ) in which Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi in his ruling cleared Jonathan to contest for the Presidency in 2015.

According to him, this same verdict was never appealed.

Onoh, therefore, urged President Tinubu to concentrate on formulating people-oriented policies and voter- engagement, instead of dissipating energy on Jonathan’s qualification.

Ondo PDP Publicity Director Igbabo, Resigns

By
Ayodele Oni
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Leye Igbabo

By Ayodele Oni

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Leye Igbabo, has resigned his position.

This is coming few months after the publicity secretary of the party, Kennedy Peretei, resigned in circumstances similar to the position of the publicity director.

Igbabo, in his resignation letter dated September 30th, 2025, addressed to the state chairman of the party, said the PDP secretariat has become hostile to effective and efficient performance of his duties.

He accused the party leadership of utter deceit, huge compromise and gross indiscipline, stressing that the environment was no longer conducive for productive work.

“It is disheartening to know that the Secretariat has become hostile to effective and efficient performance of my duties as the Director of Media and Publicity.

“I note with pains, utter deceit, huge compromise and gross indiscipline. There is no more sincerity of purpose and under such circumstances, I do not want to be labeled as an incompetent official.

“Staying in such an unproductive environment amounts to precious waste of time and energy.

“I therefore resign my appointment as the Director of Media and Publicity PDP Ondo State with immediate effect,” Igbabo wrote.

FG Says Commercial S*x Workers Will Pay Tax

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Prostitutes or Sex Workers

By Akinwale Kasali

Commercial S*x Workers   have been mandated by the Federal Government to pay tax under the new laws.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, made it known that ‘runs girls’, will begin to pay Tax. He said this during an engagement session at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos.

He said: “If somebody is doing runs girls (s*x worker), right, they go and look for men to sleep with. You know that’s a service. They will pay tax on it.”

According to him, the new laws do not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate income sources.

“It just asks you whether you have an income. ‘Did you get it from rendering a service or providing a good?’ Then, you pay tax,” he explained.

He explained further that money sent to relatives, friends or even strangers are not taxable, as they are considered as gifts.

He said: “You earn a certain amount of money and you have to send upkeep to your cousin, your brother, even a stranger, it doesn’t really matter.

“If the amount you are sending is money you are giving to them not because they have done something for you, then it is a gift. We call it a non-exchange transaction. That is not taxable.”

It would be recalled that the new (reformed) laws are the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act was signed  into law on July 26, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

President Tinubu Orders Probe Into Arise TV Anchor,  Maduagwu’s Killing

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu

By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate probe into the killing of Arise TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. The 29 year-old was killed during a robbery incident at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

President Tinubu  condemned the killing as unacceptable uncalled for, and ordered that the perpetrators must be brought to book.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, titled ‘President Tinubu condemns the killing of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, urges security agencies to fish out the killers’.

The statement reads in part:

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received with deep sorrow, the news of the tragic passing of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a brilliant news anchor with Arise News Television, who was killed during an attack by robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

“Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner”.

The Commander In Chief further extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Maduagwu, the management and staff of Arise News Television, and the entire Nigerian media fraternity over this painful loss.

He also extended condolences to the management and staff of Arise News, as well as the Nigerian media community, noting that the tragic loss was not only personal to the family but also to the nation.

President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and will continue to strengthen measures aimed at combating crime in all its forms.

In a similar development, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has described the death of Maduagwu as painful and unfortunate.

The President’s wife, in a statement she personally signed said: “I woke up to the sad news of the unfortunate and untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

“Her death is painful and quite unfortunate.

She has been cut down in her prime. I condole with the chairman arise news media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, her family, friends colleagues, and loved ones. It is my hope and prayer that the perpetrators will be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book.

“May her soul rest in peace, and may God give her family, and all her dear ones the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

Students Resumption, Convocation, Put On Hold As AAUA Lecturers’ Strike Continues

By
Ayodele Oni
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Adekunle Ajasin Univeristy - Akungba Akoko

By Ayodele Oni

Lecturers at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State are on a collision course with the authorities following months of unpaid salaries.

The academic staff, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have warned that unless their outstanding salaries and arrears are cleared, both the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation ceremony of the institution will be disrupted.

The lecturers had already embarked on an indefinite strike last month over the non-payment of their entitlements, a development that has crippled academic and social activities on the university campus.

Chairman of AAUA ASUU, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi lamented what he described as the insensitivity of the state government to the plight of the lecturers. According to him, members of the union have been stretched to the limit.

“We have been patient and tolerant for too long, but this time, we won’t be again. Our members have been pushed to the wall, and we see no indication that the state government is willing to rectify the situation.”

Oshodi disclosed that several efforts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to seek an amicable resolution has been frustrated, and this further heighten the frustration of the union members

Reacting however, the state government denied abandoning the institution.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, insisted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has been alive to its responsibilities to all state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA

Ajibefun, a former vice Chancellor of the University, explained that the government has consistently released monthly subventions without delay and is engaging with the striking lecturers to resolve the lingering dispute.

“The government is actively working to address the issues at hand. Dialogue is ongoing, and we are confident that the matter will soon be resolved,” he assured.

Meanwhile, the prolonged strike has taken a toll on the university community, with academic calendars disrupted and students left stranded.

Parents and stakeholders have expressed concerns that the impasse, if not urgently resolved, could further worsen the already fragile state of tertiary education in the country.

FAO Collaborates With Ondo In Food Security, Climatic Resilience

By
Ayodele Oni
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Food Stuffs in the Market

By Ayodele Oni

The Food and Agricultural Organization,  (FAO) has reaffirmed commitment to deepen collaboration with Ondo State in areas of food security, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and forestry management.

This is just as the world body revealed that ongoing projects in the state, include the Global Environment Facility (GEF7) Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FLUR) project, and the newly approved GEF7 Biodiversity project.

FAO Representative in Nigeria and  ECOWAS, Mr Hussein Gadain, disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure.

According to him, these initiatives, focus on forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable cocoa production, climate-smart agriculture, and youth empowerment.

He noted that FAO has already provided Ondo State with vital support such as a Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory, farmer field and business schools, solar-powered agroforestry nurseries, and a multi-stakeholder platform for land and forest management.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa pledged stronger support for the Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as the agency expands its interventions in Ondo State.

He expressed delight at the progress made since the programme’s inauguration in July 2024, commending FAO for its support, particularly in providing tools such as GIS for forest mapping and in driving advocacy and farmer training.

Governor Aiyedatiwa assured FAO of the state’s readiness to collaborate further, especially in areas of land allocation for farmers, youth recruitment into agribusiness and budgetary support for the projects.

He emphasized the importance of setting up land allocation committees at the local government level to resolve issues of encroachment and land scarcity.

“Ondo State will continue to provide the needed leadership and support to ensure the success of FAO’s interventions.”

The governor also pledged to encourage youth participation in agriculture as part of efforts to secure the state’s food future.

He assured the visiting team that the state is committed to working closely with FAO and other stakeholders to boost food production, create jobs, and protect its forest resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

INEC Chairman, Guilty Of Contempt, To Be Arrested

By
Ayodele Oni
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Mahmood Yakubu

By Ayodele Oni

For non compliance with its order, the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has directed the Inspector-General of Police,  (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged contempt of court.

The order came after INEC allegedly failed to comply with a ruling in favour of the Action Alliance (AA).

The party had gone to court demanding that the commission recognise all State Chairmen elected under the leadership of Adekunle Rufai Omoaje.

Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi, who presided over the case, criticised the electoral body for disobeying a valid judgment.

She ordered Prof. Yakubu to restore the names of the affected chairmen on the INEC portal within seven days.

The Court further imposed a fine of N100,000 against the INEC Chairman, warning that failure to comply within the set period would trigger his immediate arrest by the police.

However, the Court had earlier ruled that the convention that produced Omoaje as National Chairman of the party was valid.

According to the Judge, the convention was monitored by INEC and held in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Presidency: PDP Chieftain Rallies Support For Gov Makinde

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Governor Seyi Makinde

Taofeek Arapaja, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) has called on Nigerians to support Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential bid.

Governor Makinde, the magazine reported, recently disclosed that he’s qualified to run for the nation’s highest office under the PDP, saying he will make his intention on the issue known when the times comes.

On his rumoured presidential ambition, Makinde said: “But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do.0 / 0:00

“So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.”

Arapaja made this assertion today while addressing the delegates and stakeholders at the State Congress of the PDP held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state’s capital.

According to him, Makinde should be supported to lead the country to replicate his benevolent governance in the country, adding that he has the capacity to change the current problems in the country, including poverty, insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship in the country.

He said Nigerians will have the opportunity to enjoy what the people of the state are enjoying under the administration  of Makinde, if they throw their weigh behind him to become Nigeria’s number one citizen in 2027.

Apart from Mainde other potential presidential aspirants under the PDP include, Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been rumoured to be planning a come back to the Nigerian Presidency close to 11 years after he was defeated by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

2027: Presidency Threatens Jonathan With Court Action, Disqualification

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Goodluck Jonathan
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan:

By Adesina Soyooye

Even before he confirms whether he would run for the Presidential seat in 2027 or not, the Presidency is threatening former President Goodluck Jonathan with disqualification.

It has reminded him that he would be met with a law suit if he does contest and wins over his eligibility to run for the office. In sum, the Presidency has told Jonathan not to waste his time in running for the office because he would be disqualified. Reason: The Presidency said having been sworn-in as President twice in 2008 and 2011, Jonathan cannot be sworn-in again for the third time.

Further more, Jonathan was reminded of his fate in 2015 when, even as an incumbent, he was abandoned by those who pretended to stand by him.

These were contained in a statement by the Presidency signed by the main Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga in reaction to Professor Jerry Gana’s statement that Jonathan would contest the 2027 Presidential election under the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and send President Bola Tinubu back to Lagos from Abuja.

In a swift response to Gana, a PDP chieftain and former Minister for Information, Onanuga, in a statement Monday night said that while Jonathan is welcome to the race, he should be prepared to face the Court to confirm whether he is qualified to participate in the race, and whether he would be eligible to be sworn-in as President even if he won the election.

Mockingly calling Jonathan a gentleman who should not allow himself to be deceived by sugar-tongued politicians who the statement said would abandon him, as they did in 2015, the Presidency said: “We would caution former President Jonathan to be wary of the PDP’s sugar-coated cheerleaders. They will abandon him midstream as they did in 2015, and leave Gentleman Jonathan in the lurch.”

The Presidency also accused Jonathan of running down the economy during his Presidency, an economy which the Presidency claims President Tinubu is fixing.

The statement reads in full:

“As we begin the march towards the 2027 elections prematurely foisted on the nation by the desperation of the opposition ganging up against President Bola Tinubu despite his glaring economic strides, we are once again regaled with a cacophony of voices, most of them full of sound and fury, signifying nothing — to paraphrase inimitable William Shakespeare in one of his classic works, Macbeth.

One recent statement that stands out in its absurdity is Professor Jerry Gana’s. The former Minister of Information and National Orientation, moving to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race, affirmed that the former President would contest on the platform of the discredited Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which left behind a legacy of economic ruin after 16 years of bad governance.”

“We should caution former President Jonathan to be wary of the PDP’s sugar-coated cheerleaders. Politicians of Jerry Gana’s ilk merely want to lure him into the race to satisfy their personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests. They will abandon him midstream, as they did in 2015, and leave Gentleman Jonathan in the lurch.

“Don’t get us wrong: President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right. President Tinubu will wholeheartedly welcome him if he decides to enter the race. But Jonathan will have his day in court to determine whether, having been sworn in twice as president, he is constitutionally eligible to contest and, if successful, be sworn in for a third term.”

“We cannot forget in a hurry how his regime, devoid of any clear economic agenda, engaged in frivolous spending, ran the economy aground, and put the country in dire straits. The downturn that President Tinubu is working very hard to overcome actually began under Jonathan.

In 2010, Jonathan inherited $66 billion — $46 billion in foreign reserves and $20 billion in the Excess Crude Account. By 2015, when he was voted out, reserves had fallen below $30 billion, and the Excess Crude Account was depleted to $2 billion, despite record oil revenues.

“By December 2014, the Federal Government could no longer pay salaries, while at least 28 states owed workers huge arrears.”

“In just over two years, President Tinubu has removed the ruinous fuel subsidy, unified the exchange rate, and stabilised the economy. GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, inflation dropped to 20.12% in August 2025 — the lowest in three years — and foreign reserves now stand at $42.03 billion. Investor confidence has returned, the Naira has stabilised, and critical infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are underway.

In plain language, the nation has turned the corner. Nigerians are beginning to reap the gains of Tinubu’s reforms.

“The PDP broke the economy; President Tinubu is fixing it. Jonathan and others are welcome to the 2027 race, but Nigerians will not allow them to return and run it down again.”

Jonathan was Nigeria’s President Vice President under President Umaru Yar’adua but stepped in as President in 2008 to complete Yar’adua’s tenure on the passing of his Principal. He contested for the office in 2011 and won, but was defeated in 2015 by the Tinubu- engineered All Progressives Congress which fielded late President Muhammadu Buhari due to, what many insist was, internal sabotage.

In the run up to the 2027 election, Jonathan is under pressure to run for the office again. He has not made any statement to either confirm or not.

Arise Television’s 29 Year-Old Anchor Killed In Abuja

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu

By Adesina Soyooye

Arise Television has been thrown into deep mourning over an unexpected tragedy.

Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, 29 years old Lawyer and an Anchor with Arise Television was killed by suspected armed robbers at her Abuja residence.

Reports say she  succumbed to the injuries inflicted on her when the suspected robbers/bandits  stormed her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja in the early hours of Monday 29 September.

Popular as Sommie, she was charming, and known  for her poise.

Maduagwu was born on December 26, 1995, and had a distinguished career as a talented news anchor, reporter, and producer. Colleagues celebrated her  for her eloquence, professionalism, and dedication to her duties

A Lawyer by training,  Maduagwu had a good grasp of reporting and analysis and depth and intellectual rigour.

Mourning her tragic death, Arise Television’s Management, in a statement, described the loss as “a devastating blow to the organisation and the journalism community.”

The statement, signed by Hafiza Usman Ajayi, read in part:

“It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the Arise News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu.

“Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, following an armed robbery incident in her residence in Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police. Sommie’s voice is now silent but her spirit, passion and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory. We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension and prosecution of the culprits.”

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