Jonathan Has Obtained 2027 PDP Presidential Nomination Form – Umar Sani

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has already secured a presidential nomination form ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sani, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, made the revelation during an interview on Trust TV on Tuesday amid growing speculation surrounding Jonathan’s possible return to active partisan politics.

According to him, the former president’s decision to obtain the nomination form signals clear interest in the 2027 presidential race, despite the absence of an official declaration from Jonathan himself.

Sani stated that arrangements were already underway for the public submission of the forms, insisting that the move goes beyond mere political speculation.

He dismissed claims that the PDP was only attempting to leverage Jonathan’s popularity to regain political relevance, arguing that many party stakeholders genuinely believe the former president remains one of the strongest options available to lead the country.

The PDP chieftain also expressed confidence that ongoing legal efforts challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency again would not succeed.

According to him, previous court decisions had already addressed the matter, adding that only the Supreme Court could overturn those rulings.

Sani further maintained that the suit currently before Justice Peter Lifu would likely be dismissed when it comes up for hearing on May 26.

He noted that many Nigerians continue to hold positive memories of Jonathan’s administration, stressing that public perception of his tenure has significantly improved over the years.

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015 before losing his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Since leaving office, the former president has largely remained active in diplomatic engagements and peace mediation efforts across Africa while maintaining limited involvement in partisan political activities.

FG, NRS Push Stronger Inter-Governmental Alliance To Meet ₦40tn Tax Revenue Target

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) have intensified calls for stronger collaboration among federal, state and local government institutions to improve tax compliance and enhance revenue generation under Nigeria’s new tax framework.

The call was made during a national workshop on tax compliance held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, where government officials, representatives of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), government-owned enterprises and sub-national authorities gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening the country’s fiscal system.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, described the ongoing tax reforms as a critical part of the Federal Government’s efforts to build a more sustainable, tax-driven economy and reduce dependence on oil revenue.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Tolu Adegbie, the minister said the reforms are aimed at improving public finance management and creating a stable revenue system capable of supporting infrastructure, healthcare, education and security across the country.

He stressed the importance of transparency, accountability and cooperation among all tiers of government, noting that effective taxation remains central to national development and economic stability.

According to him, successful implementation of the new tax framework would depend on stronger institutional partnerships, harmonised policies and improved information sharing among government agencies.

Also speaking, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, disclosed that the agency is targeting the generation of about ₦40 trillion in tax revenue this year to support allocations to the three levels of government.

Represented by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Muhammad Abubakar, Adedeji described the target as ambitious, noting that stronger collaboration and improved compliance across government institutions would be essential to achieving it.

He explained that revenue mobilisation remains vital to funding development projects and sustaining government operations nationwide.

The NRS chairman added that recent monitoring and audit exercises conducted by the agency uncovered significant gaps in tax compliance among some states and public institutions, particularly in the deduction and remittance of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax (WHT).

He warned that such compliance gaps threaten fiscal fairness and weaken efforts to build a more efficient tax system.

As part of measures to encourage compliance, Adedeji announced plans by the agency to begin recognising the country’s most tax-compliant states from 2026.

Executive Director of the Government and Large Taxpayer Directorate at the NRS, Mrs. Amina Ado, said the workshop was organised to strengthen cooperation among institutions responsible for driving Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability.

She noted that the agency remains committed to simplifying tax processes through technology-driven and transparent remittance systems designed to encourage voluntary compliance rather than relying mainly on enforcement measures.

Participants at the workshop also emphasised the need for sustained policy coordination, improved transparency and stronger inter-governmental partnerships to support Nigeria’s revenue generation goals and broader economic reforms.

FITC, First Bank Deepen Partnership on Talent Development, Leadership Growth

The Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) and First Bank of Nigeria have intensified efforts to strengthen collaboration on talent development, leadership training, governance and institutional capacity building within Nigeria’s financial sector.

The engagement brought together senior officials from both organisations to discuss strategies for improving workforce development, organisational performance, innovation and long-term sustainability in the evolving banking industry.

FITC’s delegation was led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chizor Malize, alongside the Head of Learning and Development, Esther Amoye, and other senior executives. 

The FirstBank team was headed by the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu, accompanied by his Personal Assistant, Nkereuwem E. Uwatt, and the Group Head of Human Capital Management and Development, Olumuyiwa D. Olulaja.

According to a statement issued by FITC, discussions during the meeting focused on expanding cooperation in continuous professional learning, leadership development and institutional resilience as financial institutions adjust to recapitalisation policies, digital transformation and emerging operational challenges.

Both institutions stressed the importance of building future-ready organisations driven by strong leadership structures, knowledge-based systems and adaptable workforce strategies capable of sustaining competitiveness in the financial sector.

The meeting also highlighted the increasing importance of strategic knowledge partnerships and continuous capacity development in improving operational efficiency and driving measurable business growth across the banking ecosystem.

Participants described the engagement as a demonstration of the shared commitment of both organisations toward promoting leadership excellence and supporting sustainable development within Nigeria’s financial services industry.

FITC further commended FirstBank’s leadership for its willingness to strengthen collaboration, expressing optimism that the partnership would contribute to deeper institutional growth and broader impact across the sector.