The Ondo State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) has held its maiden meeting in Akure, with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and top All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders pledging to strengthen ties between the party and the state government.

The closed-door meeting, which took place on Saturday, 9 August 2025, at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, brought together key political figures, including former NNPC Board Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure, who chairs the GAC, and National Vice Chairman (South West) of the APC, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, who serves as secretary.

The GAC was formed to advise the governor on governance and support the growth of the ruling party in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Strengthening Party-Government Relationship

Speaking after the meeting, Chief Akinyelure described the discussions as productive, saying they focused on building a smooth working relationship between the APC and the government.

“The Governor is very happy about the meeting. What we have basically discussed is the growth of the party and the success of the government, which is headed by Mr. Governor. Ours is to bridge the gap, to make sure that the party grows and the government is successful,” Akinyelure said.

“Whatever is going on in government is exposed to the party so there can be a smooth relationship. I am not only satisfied, I am encouraged by the participation of our members.”

Governor’s Inclusive Leadership Praised

Former APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, applauded Governor Aiyedatiwa for creating the advisory council.

“Because of such a forum, we make suggestions as elders of the party. If we continue at this trend, even the sky is not the limit for the state,” Oluwajana said.

“One very commendable thing is the governor’s receptive attitude accommodating everyone, regardless of past views before he became governor. There’s no room for disunity. The governor is for all of us. He’s the leader of the party in the state, and we acknowledge that leadership.”

Commendation for Governance Track Record

Former Senator Prof. Ajayi Boroffice said the meeting was aimed at advising the governor on policies and promoting party unity.

“The main purpose of this meeting is to revitalise this Government Advisory Council. As a council, we are to advise Mr. Governor on issues concerning his policies and the unity of the party,” Boroffice said.

“He has paid all salaries; he is not owing, has not borrowed, and has even paid part of the debts owed by the government over the years. These are commendable within this short time of his administration.”

Resolutions on Party Structure

GAC Secretary Hon. Kekemeke emphasised that the meeting was about stabilising governance and the party ahead of future elections.

“We restated the obvious fact that the governor is the leader of the party in the state,” Kekemeke said.

“We also agreed that support groups can continue to exist but cannot serve as alternatives to the party or be used to divide it. Support groups are meant to support the party and the presidential aspiration of our national leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He added that there were no factions within the Ondo APC and that a collegiate leadership approach at the local government level would promote inclusivity.

Broad Political Participation

Other attendees included former Deputy Governor Alhaji Ali Olanusi, General Funso Oyenehin (rtd), Ambassador Sola Iji, Chief Bode Sunmonu, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, Dr. Ayodeji Oyedele, and Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti.

The meeting came a week after the APC Caucus meeting and ahead of the party’s general stakeholders meeting.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has come under fire from supporters of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, known as Obidients, over a statement made at a political rally which has since been misinterpreted and gone viral online.

The controversy was triggered by a brief video clip of Governor Soludo advising against political aspirants who promise to serve only one term. Although the comment was directed at a local aspirant within the context of Anambra’s governorship rotation system, it was swiftly misconstrued as a jab at Peter Obi, who has made a similar one-term promise for his presidential bid.

This development exemplifies what Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie described as “the danger of a single story.”

“The consequence of the single story is that it robs people of dignity,” Adichie once said—a quote now resurfacing in discussions about the current misunderstanding.

The Context: Zoning in Anambra Politics

Governor Soludo’s remarks were made while addressing Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a fellow indigene of Anambra South who has pledged to serve a single term if elected governor.

Soludo explained that the promise is not necessarily a noble one but could be an attempt to disrupt the state’s long-standing zoning agreement. Under this unwritten but respected political arrangement, the governorship rotates among Anambra’s three senatorial zones: Anambra South, Central, and North.

As Soludo currently represents Anambra South and is eligible for a second term, the next rotation is expected to favour Anambra Central. Ukachukwu’s campaign strategy—pledging a one-term service—was seen by Soludo as a backdoor strategy to return the seat to the South before its due time.

“The grand conspiracy behind the single-term pledge is to bait unsuspecting Anambra voters and grab power by subterfuge. This is quite disingenuous and unreasonable,” Governor Soludo said.

Obidients Miss the Mark

Following the rally, a cut-down version of the Governor’s speech circulated across social media platforms. Many Obidients interpreted it as an indirect attack on Peter Obi, the former Anambra governor and 2023 presidential candidate, who has vowed to serve only one term if elected in 2027.

Observers note that this leap—from a local zoning issue in Anambra to national presidential ambitions—was politically premature and lacked factual grounding.

Governor Soludo made no mention of Peter Obi, presidential politics, or the Labour Party in his comments. He spoke strictly within the context of local politics.

“The leap from discussing Anambra State zoning arrangements to assumptions about Peter Obi’s presidential ambitions is taking fanatical politicking too far,” the governor’s media team stated.

Media’s Role in Misinterpretation

Soludo’s camp also criticised certain media platforms and bloggers for engaging in clickbait and failing to provide sufficient context in their reports.

“By reporting Governor Soludo’s statement in cut-and-paste isolation, without providing the full context of his speech or the background of Anambra’s zoning politics, news outlets created fertile ground for misinterpretation,” the statement read.

The Governor’s spokesperson called on journalists to offer deeper, more balanced reporting that includes background, audience, and purpose—especially during politically sensitive periods.

Call for Maturity and Civic Responsibility

Political commentators say this incident should serve as a teaching moment, not just for Obidients but for all politically active Nigerians. It underscores the importance of verifying context and resisting the urge to weaponise misinterpretations.

“In our increasingly polarised political environment… we must resist the temptation to read malicious intent into every statement made by political figures we may disagree with,” the editorial noted.

“Obidients and Peter Obi must demonstrate the political maturity and leadership that their movement claims to represent,” the commentary urged.

As Anambra heads toward its November 2025 governorship election and Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, stakeholders are encouraged to focus on issue-based debates rather than emotion-driven assumptions.

“The strength of any democracy lies not in the absence of political disagreement, but in the ability of its citizens and institutions to engage with those disagreements thoughtfully, decently, and constructively,” the editorial concluded.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in high-level talks to draft former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, into the 2027 presidential race to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A close ally of the former president confirmed this development, stating that the plan has gained momentum — with Jonathan reportedly open to the idea.

According to the ally, who spoke to Vanguard, Jonathan’s decision is fueled by the urgent need to “address Nigeria’s rising poverty, hardship, and the suffering of its people.”

“The project to bring back Jonathan is being driven by respected Nigerian leaders and elders who believe he stabilised the country and its economy during his tenure,” the source revealed.

Behind-the-Scenes Consultations Already Underway

Jonathan, who hails from Otuoke, Bayelsa State, is said to have met with former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) in Minna, Niger State, to discuss his potential return.

He is also holding consultations across the South-South, meeting stakeholders to solidify support within the region — which many believe remains a stronghold for the former president.

In a parallel effort, high-ranking PDP stakeholders reportedly visited The Gambia to persuade Jonathan, emphasizing that the party is ready to back him as the rallying figure in the race to reclaim Aso Rock.

PDP Confirms Overtures, Public Sentiment Favors Jonathan

Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, confirmed the move in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

“Many Nigerians have come to realise the mistake they made in not re-electing Dr. Jonathan. They now acknowledge his achievements and are even apologising, pleading with him to return and rescue the country,” he said.

Abdullahi added that since Jonathan remains a PDP member, the party has no constitutional barrier to fielding him as its candidate.

Jonathan Seeks Clarity on Terms of Engagement

Sources within the PDP reveal that Jonathan is not rushing into the decision. According to Abdullahi, he is currently consulting with close advisers and demanding clarity on whether he will undergo primaries or be handed an automatic ticket, and whether the party genuinely supports his leadership comeback.

“He has started listening to the emissaries and is consulting with his inner circle,” Abdullahi stated.

Party Leaders Open to Automatic Ticket for Jonathan

Daniel Woyengikuro, PDP’s National Financial Secretary, strongly endorsed the idea of Jonathan leading the party again.

“He is not just a former president; he is the leader of the party now. Aside from Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro told Vanguard in Abuja.

“For me, that’s what I firmly stand for. An automatic ticket for him, as it stands now. Because we must salvage both this party and the nation,” he added.

Seyi Makinde Also Praised as Running Mate Option

Woyengikuro further praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as a potential partner in the 2027 race, citing his youth and ability to bridge generational gaps. He positioned Jonathan and Makinde as his two top choices for the presidency and vice presidency if the PDP intends to take back power.

Legal Debate Over Jonathan’s Eligibility

Jonathan’s return has reignited legal arguments over his constitutional eligibility due to a 2018 amendment.

The Fourth Alteration Act, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, states:

Section 137(3): “A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”

The clause seeks to prevent anyone from holding office for more than eight years. However, legal experts are divided on whether this applies to Jonathan, who was first sworn in in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and then elected in 2011.

Court Rulings Back Jonathan’s Eligibility

A Federal High Court in Bayelsa, in a 2022 judgment, ruled that the amendment could not be applied retroactively to disqualify Jonathan from contesting.

Justice Isa Hamma Dashen ruled that Jonathan’s oath-taking in 2010 was not due to winning an election, but to complete Yar’Adua’s term in accordance with the constitution. He added that the law’s effective date of June 8, 2018, means Jonathan’s case remains unaffected.

Lawyers Still Split

Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) and Elekwachi Nnabuihe, both prominent legal minds, agreed that Jonathan remains eligible to contest, as the amendment was not retroactive.

“Jonathan is still entitled to contest in my humble view,” Akinlaja said.

“He has only been elected once. Laws do not have retroactive effect,” Nnabuihe added.

But others, like human rights lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, disagree. He warned that a new presidency could violate constitutional limits on tenure.

“If Jonathan contests again and wins, he will have exceeded the maximum number of eight years allowed,” he warned, citing Supreme Court precedents.

Bode George: Jonathan Is Best for PDP

Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, lent his support, describing Jonathan as “eminently qualified.”

“He is the easiest to sell because he has a track record, especially the economic indices during his tenure,” George said.

He added that Jonathan’s previous swearing-in under the Doctrine of Necessity does not count against him legally.

The Bigger Picture: 2027 Power Rotation

Analysts believe Jonathan’s single-term option could appeal to northern political actors, as it creates a path for power to return to the North in 2031, potentially securing another eight-year run.

Whether Jonathan ultimately agrees or not, the PDP’s move has already started reshaping the 2027 political landscape, raising both hope and controversy across Nigeria’s political spectrum.