Osimhen picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the match, which automatically rules him out of next weekend’s Istanbul derby at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium.

Despite the setback, he played a key role in securing the title, scoring twice as Galatasaray clinched their fourth consecutive Turkish Süper Lig championship. The striker has now won two league titles with the club since joining.

Head coach Okan Buruk will now look to finish the season on a winning note without his star forward.

In a post-match Instagram livestream, Osimhen paid emotional tribute to former Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera and ex-midfielder Felipe Melo.

He said, “Felipe Melo, great legend, greetings to you! Muslera, great legend, greetings to you! Even when Muslera is away from us, he motivates us. He is wholeheartedly devoted to Galatasaray. We miss you. We hope you return one day. We always need you. I feel like a little child when I’m with you. You have taken such good care of me. Galatasaray legends are truly great.”

Osimhen also issued a confident message to rival clubs after the title win, with Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor finishing second and third.

“Keep talking. We’ll be back here next season. We’re coming again. Istanbul is ours. We’ll handle it. You can’t stop us,” he said, adding that no opposition can prevent Galatasaray’s dominance.

According to the associate, there is currently no confirmed decision regarding Jonathan’s political future, stressing that discussions remain ongoing and inconclusive.

He said, “What’s happening is that various groups are pushing for him, but it’s unclear whether anything will happen tomorrow or not.”

However, another source claimed Jonathan may obtain the PDP nomination form as early as Monday, though this remains unverified.

The speculation comes as Jonathan has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to dismiss a suit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Through his counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, Jonathan challenged the suit filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, describing it as incompetent and legally flawed.

His legal team stated that they only became aware of the case through media reports and promptly filed a conditional appearance, a preliminary objection, a counter-affidavit, and a written address on May 5, 2026, requesting that the case be struck out.

They argued that the matter had already been settled in previous judicial rulings up to the Court of Appeal.

Court Proceedings

At the hearing, plaintiff’s counsel Ndubuisi Ukpai informed the court that although the case was scheduled for mention, he had just been served with Jonathan’s court processes and needed time to respond.

Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the case until May 11 for hearing of the preliminary objection and the substantive suit.

The court also ordered that hearing notices be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who are listed as defendants but were absent.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff is seeking a perpetual injunction stopping Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for the 2027 presidential race, and also restraining INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.

Jonathan’s Position

Amid the political tension, Jonathan recently reacted to calls from young Nigerians urging him to return to the presidential race.

He described the presidency as a serious responsibility, not something to be treated casually.

“The presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely. But the most important thing is that in Nigeria, the young people will have hope,” he said.

Jonathan also urged youths to be patriotic, actively participate in elections, and obtain their voter cards, stressing that low voter turnout remains a major challenge in Nigeria compared to other countries.

reports that while other incumbent governors had earlier been screened on Saturday, Fubara and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, were initially absent from the exercise.

Responding to concerns over the absences, the Chairman of the Screening Committee, who also serves as APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, explained that governors with official state duties were excused.

He said, “Three governors have not come, so that is the issue. I said you should not single one person out when three governors have not appeared. All of them have their reasons for not appearing, and we know they are chief executives of their states with state responsibilities.”

He added that any governor engaged with official duties, including those from Kwara, Ebonyi, and Rivers States, would be granted flexibility.

However, Fubara later arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, the venue of the screening, at about 3pm on Sunday.

Sources said he participated briefly but left the screening room after about 20 minutes, visibly upset.

According to Daily Trust, the governor appeared visibly agitated and declined to speak with journalists who had been waiting for hours.

When approached for comments on the outcome of the exercise, he simply responded, “No comment.”

Following the incident, uncertainty has grown around Fubara’s political future and his re-election prospects.

The governor has been involved in a prolonged political rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, his former political ally.

There have also been speculations that Wike may be backing another candidate, including the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, for the Rivers governorship race.