News
2027: Coalition’s bid to unseat Tinubu faces setback as PDP suffers mass exodus
With two years to the next presidential election, mixed reactions have trailed the gale of defections by high-profile politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into the All Progressives Congress, APC.
This comes as it was hinted that the coalition spearheaded by former PDP’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar may not succeed against the President Bola Tinubu-led APC due to moves by some Fulani interests to escalate the Fulani war that has birthed itself in Nigeria.
Recently, Atiku, his counterpart from the Labour Party Peter Obi, Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the formation of the coalition under the Social Democratic Party.
Since the announcement, no political bigwig has joined the party in their push to wrest power from Tinubu in 2027.
This is as the PDP and Atiku’s camp lost two major stakeholders from the South-South, Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Okowa, who was Atiku’s presidential running mate in the 2023 election, had dumped the PDP for the APC alongside Oborevwori at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, Delta State.
It was observed that Oborevwori’s defection now puts the APC in the lead in the Nigerian Delta region, Delta, Edo, and Cross River states are APC, while the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers states have backed President Tinubu, leaving only Bayelsa State with the PDP.
In the Southwest, the APC may likely retain votes from the region because Tinubu hails from the area.
For the North, there have been agitations over the region’s political leaning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with former presidential aide Hakeem Baba-Ahmed saying the North will decide its political direction in the next six months because the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari made the region wiser.
Baba-Ahmed said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way.”
While Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), El-Rufai has been trying to galvanize the North to tilt their votes towards the opposition coalition with his visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, and former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso amid talks with other prominent politicians from the rregion.
News
Omotayo Exits MAN, Becomes COO Saldrey Communications Ltd
• Omotayo Okewunmi
Saldrey Communications Limited, a niche Public Relations and Media agency, is pleased to announce the appointment of Omotayo Okewunmi as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective Monday, November 3, 2025.
This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward strengthening its operations, expanding its client impact, and deepening its commitment to innovation-driven communication solutions.
Omotayo joins Saldrey Communications following her impactful tenure as the Public Relations Manager of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where she played a pivotal role in advancing the Association’s public image, stakeholder engagement, and policy communication strategies.
During her time at MAN, she was instrumental in crafting narratives that amplified the voice of Nigerian manufacturers, reinforcing the Association’s credibility across national and international platforms.
Beyond her corporate experience in MAN, Omotayo has founded and grown businesses in the media and events industry and her impact is felt particularly with Clefflake Media and Events, a boutique media and event consultancy renowned for its creative storytelling, experiential brand activations, and strategic communications expertise. Under her leadership, Clefflake Media and Events became a trusted name among clients seeking tailored solutions for their brands and memorable experiences at events.
At Saldrey Communications, Omotayo is poised to bring her wealth of experience in strategic planning, brand communication, and client relationship management to elevate the agency’s operational excellence and creative output.
Her appointment underscores Saldrey’s commitment to fostering leadership that drives measurable results and delivers unmatched value to clients.
“This is an opportunity to merge innovation with purpose. My coming on board is to not only strengthen the internal operations of the organisation but also create lasting value for our clients.
Saldrey Communications has always stood out for its deep understanding of influence mastery and its ability to deliver unmatched results to clients.
My goal is to amplify that strength, ensuring every project reflects the company’s core philosophy of delivering excellence, creativity, and results.”
According to Saldrey Communications’ value proposition as outlined on its website, the company is committed to “delivering strategic, innovative, and measurable communication solutions that connect brands to their audiences and drive sustainable growth.”
Omotayo’s appointment is aligned with this mission ensuring that every client engagement reflects the agency’s hallmark of precision, passion, and performance.
With her unique blend of corporate communications expertise, entrepreneurial flair, and passion for public relations, Omotayo Okewunmi is set to play a transformative role in driving Saldrey Communications’ next phase of growth, one that promises innovation, client satisfaction, and lasting impact.
News
ASUU Urges Tinubu to Sack Education Minister
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is calling for the sack of the Minister of Education , Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, alleging that he is incompetent.
The Chairman of ASUU, University of Jos chapter, Prof Jurbe Joseph Molwus ,made the call on Wednesday .
” If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the union will likely resume another strike in two weeks saying that the strike was suspended as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining.
The union described as sad the fact that even the N50 billion revitalisation fund claimed to have been released some weeks ago by the Federal Government is yet to reach the Universities and wondered why the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, is still keeping it.
The Universities have yet to receive the N2.3 billion purportedly released by the government to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal Universities.
ASUU said the amount of N2.3 billion arrears for promotion and salaries is like a drop in the ocean because it can hardly take care of three big Universities in Nigeria as it is “grossly inadequate and almost embarrassing, if not insulting.”
“
Crime
Federal lawmaker escapes assassination attempt
A member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, narrowly escaped death on Tuesday after his convoy was ambushed by suspected terrorists in Niger State.
The attack occurred along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area while Damisa, who represents Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency, was on his way to Babanna for an official engagement.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen—identified as “Lakurawa terrorists,” locally known as bandits—opened fire on the lawmaker’s convoy in a surprise afternoon attack.
Security operatives attached to the convoy responded immediately, resulting in a fierce gun battle. One soldier was reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Some of Damisa’s political aides and supporters were also injured during the exchange.
Witnesses said the attackers fired relentlessly, riddling several vehicles with bullets before fleeing the scene. At least 11 vehicles were reportedly vandalised in the attack.
Despite the heavy assault, Damisa escaped unharmed. Security agencies are said to have launched a manhunt for the assailants in the area.
-
News2 days agoLASTMA Clears Fallen Gas Tanker, Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Protest Rocks PDP National Secretariat Abuja
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: Presidency Rejects Claims of Tinubu’s Upcoming US Trip
-
News2 days agoADC Responds to Trump Over Designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern
-
Business9 hours agoNigeria’s GDP growth not reflecting in citizens’ living standards – Sanusi
-
News19 hours agoDSS Sacks 115 Officers (Photos)
-
International3 days agoTinubu, Trump to Meet Soon Over Christian Genocide Claims
-
International2 days agoAfghanistan Earthquake Claims 20 Lives, Injures More Than 500 — Official
