Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, stands a strong chance of defeating any opponent in Nigeria’s northern states if he rejoins the PDP and runs for president.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Gana remarked, “I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate, because our people are very fair‑minded.”

Obi, who contested the 2023 general election under the Labour Party, had earlier resigned from the PDP in May 2022.

Recalling the PDP’s origin and national impact, Gana emphasized the party’s grassroots appeal and foundational role in Nigeria’s return to democracy.

“I must confess that many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organisation. In 1998, we were formed and then, moving to the elections in 1999, we were in every polling unit, because we are the ones who really won the first election,” he said.

He continued, “Many people have forgotten that the PDP won most of the local governments. When it came to the presidential elections, we won the presidency, we won the Senate, and we won the House. We were totally in control, and that is why we were very delighted that we restored democracy to Nigeria and re‑established civil rule.

“Because for a number of years there was military rule, but we successfully terminated that in a very democratic way, so the PDP was really as it were, a grassroots party. That’s why when we said ‘power to the people’, we meant it because that was what it was, and it has been like that.”

Addressing concerns over internal rifts in the PDP, Gana dismissed them as exaggerated.

“So when this recent problem happened, it was really among a few elites here in Abuja. It didn’t even go beyond,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Gana also spoke about rotational leadership and party zoning arrangements.

“In 2031, it will be the turn of the North. Our people are very fair, and we are building a nation,” he added.

Gana served as Minister of Information and Cooperation from 1999 to 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and played a key role during Nigeria’s transition to democratic governance.

Prophet Francis Udo, a prominent cleric and founder of the Prayer Foundation Network, has made bold prophecies regarding Nigeria’s political future post-2023, including a surprising alliance between key northern and southern figures.

Speaking during an interview with South South Punch in Uyo on Wednesday, Udo revealed that God showed him a vision in which Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, would become Nigeria’s next president after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure ends in 2031.

According to Udo, “The current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as God showed me, will become the Vice Presidential running mate to Kwankwaso.”

He added, “Very soon, Kwankwaso will move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, where he will transmute and be made to run as Vice President to Tinubu, before transmuting to Presidential aspirant, candidate and ultimately, the next President.”

In the same vision, Udo claimed that further shifts will occur in Nigeria’s top leadership structure.

“In the vision that God showed up me, the current Chief Of Staff to President Tinubu, in the person of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, will become the next Senate President, while the current Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, will be the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

Turning to state-level politics, the Essien Udim-born cleric also shared revelations concerning Akwa Ibom State’s future leadership.

He said that current Governor Umo Eno would move on to the Senate after completing his second term.

“Governor Umo Eno will have clash of interest with the current Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, who is also from the same Senatorial District, as the two will be looking for Uyo Senate seat, but would be resolved as Uwah would be nominated as the next Deputy Governor to the current Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo who will become the governor of the state in 2031,” he stated.

According to the prophecy, “Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State Petroleum (Gas Resources), God has shown me, will be the next Governor of Akwa Ibom in 2031, when governorship will be zoned back to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North West). He will be deputised by the present SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah; mark my words, that is what God has shown me.”

Udo expressed gratitude to his prayer network for their spiritual dedication and also appreciated Dr. Victor Antai, Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for “effectively representing the state on the board and for using the position, not as political tool but to better the lot of the state and the people.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi as the new Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), marking a key leadership change in the nation’s climate governance framework.

Mrs. Majekodunmi takes over from Dr. Nkiruka Madueke, who served as the Council’s first Director-General following her appointment in June 2024.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

He described Majekodunmi as “a climate finance expert and environmental lawyer with over 17 years of experience,” adding that she has worked extensively with both global and domestic institutions on “renewable energy, carbon markets, and climate governance.”

Before this appointment, Majekodunmi held the role of Financial Adviser within the NCCC, where she played an instrumental role in shaping Nigeria’s climate policy and its engagements on the international stage.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the outgoing DG, Dr. Madueke, acknowledging “her dedicated service and strong foundation for the Council’s continued growth.”

The statement affirmed the administration’s broader environmental agenda.

“Majekodunmi’s appointment reaffirms the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling climate change as both an environmental necessity and a driver of sustainable economic growth, national security, and social inclusion.”

Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, has downplayed the chances of Labour Party’s Peter Obi posing a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking as a guest on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Thursday, Olujimi argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 election was largely due to his rhetorical appeal, which, according to her, may not resonate with voters the same way in 2027.

“The rhetoric of the last election will not work again, except he comes with another gimmick. And you see, this (Tinubu) is a politician, a man who knows the terrain well,” she said.

Olujimi stressed that President Tinubu’s deep political roots and strategic experience make him a formidable incumbent, suggesting that defeating him in the next general election would be no easy feat.

“This is a politician, a man who knows the terrain well,” she reiterated, further emphasizing Tinubu’s edge over his opponents, including Obi.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has sparked renewed interest in Nigeria’s political landscape after hinting at another bid for the presidency in 2027.

During a brief chat with journalists, Atiku suggested that a formal declaration would be made soon, reinforcing speculation about his future ambitions.

In a post that quickly gained traction on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku responded to direct questions about his plans with a calm assurance.

“We will let you know. We will give you formal announcement,” he said with a confident smile.

When asked what his course of action would be if he did not secure his party’s ticket, the 77-year-old veteran politician replied assertively, “Have I ever failed to get the ticket? I’m confident.”

Atiku, who has been a recurring figure in Nigeria’s presidential contests since 1993, also weighed in on the debate around youth participation in politics.

In a pointed comment, he said, “Let the youths contest now. It’s democracy.”

Backing Atiku’s prospective run, Dr. Emeka Kalu, President of the ECK Foundation, threw his support behind the former Vice President.

He described Atiku as “a detribalised Nigerian” with the needed experience to tackle Nigeria’s ongoing economic and security challenges.

In a statement, Kalu highlighted Atiku’s perseverance and leadership track record as key strengths.

According to him, these traits make Atiku “a strong candidate to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.”

Kalu also framed his support as a strategic decision for the Southeast, stating that endorsing Atiku “could be a strategic move for the Igbo people, potentially paving the way for Mr. Peter Obi in the future and giving the Igbo community a say in Nigeria’s power dynamics.”

He further praised Atiku’s past economic initiatives, saying his time as Vice President demonstrated his ability to drive reforms.

“Atiku’s leadership experience and vision [are] the essential assets for revitalising Nigeria’s economy,” Kalu stated, citing achievements in liberalisation, trade investment, and job creation.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has strongly denied allegations by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that he is plotting to rig the 2026 Osun State governorship election in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola described the accusation as false, malicious, and politically motivated.

He said it was a desperate attempt by the ruling PDP to divert attention from its waning popularity in the state.

“I believe in democracy and the rule of law,” Oyetola declared, dismissing the rigging claims as part of a “desperate smear campaign by the ruling party, which will face defeat in the 2026 Osun State governorship election.”

Oyetola stressed that he does not have any control over key national institutions, including INEC, the Police, or the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“I have no control over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, or the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF),” he said.

The former Osun governor then challenged the PDP to present verifiable evidence to support its claims.

“Without concrete proof, this allegation should be treated as the dying gasp of a political party on the verge of another resounding electoral defeat,” he added.

Meanwhile, INEC has reiterated its commitment to using the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in upcoming elections, emphasizing that the technology remains central to Nigeria’s electoral integrity.

Speaking to journalists in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, clarified the legal status of BVAS following recent court rulings.

“The Supreme Court in its judgment did not overrule the application of the usage of BVAS,” Agboke said.

“It only emphasised the fundamentals of the voters’ register to anything that INEC wants to do. The commission has the power to deploy technology to deepen the process. Therefore, we can come up in 2027 with any kind of technology because we have the basis for it, which is the law.”

Agboke also revealed that a large number of voters in Osun State have yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“360,794 PVCs are yet to be collected in the state,” he said, while urging the media to play an active role in sensitising citizens on the importance of not just registering, but also ensuring collection of their cards.

Former Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the party of lacking the capacity to rescue Nigeria from what he termed its “prevailing political cankerworms.”

In a post on his official X handle, Melaye shared a signed resignation letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 1, Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.

The letter, dated July 4, 2025, stated the decision was made “imperative due to the lack of potency and capacity by the party to deliver the Nigerian people from the prevailing political cankerworms that have eaten deeply into the fabric of our dear nation.”

He added that after thoughtful reflection, he could no longer: “In good conscience, participate in its activities or support its agenda.”

The letter continued :“In view of the above. Please consider this as my formal withdrawal from the party and all its activities at all levels with immediate effect.”

Melaye also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under the PDP during his tenure as a member.

His resignation follows a rising trend of defections ahead of the 2027 general elections. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently made a similar move, resigning from the PDP in a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the party chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State.

Atiku cited unresolved internal differences and a departure from the PDP’s founding values as reasons for his exit.