The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obi

  • No nation can grow with rigging, says Obi

    The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi has said that no nation can grow with election rigging.

    In a statement yesterday by his Media Office, Obi described  rigging as the worst form of vices, as he decried the “rigging” recorded in this year’s general elections.

    The former Anambra State Governor said the process through which people come into office is far more important than what they do thereafter, adding that the process forms the basis of their integrity.

    According to him, election rigging is the root of corruption, as it goes to impact negatively on the political and economic growth of the country.

    The PDP vice presidential candidate noted that the “fraud” that characterised the 2019 elections has greatly undermined the country’s democracy.

    He added that it has significantly damaged the future of the country, ridiculed the fight against vices and tainted the integrity of those responsible.

    Obi  observed that the enormity of damage done to the collective psyche of the nation by electoral fraud cannot be quantified.

    The opposition chief said negative acts like election manipulation were part of the reasons the country is not growing and or tackle the existing myriads of problems like unemployment and its attendant vices.

    “The only thing rigging does to a country is that it continues to keep incompetent people in office, and as a result, rather than put energy in creating jobs to engage its teeming youths, it instead channels its trying to contain all sorts of vices and brigandage”, Obi said.

    He blamed the sustenance of incompetent persons in political offices on election rigging, saying that the trend has continued to cause harm to the society.

    Obi urged leaders at all levels to be more concerned and strive to create jobs and engage millions of youths roaming the streets doing nothing at their prime productive ages.

  • Obi rejects Anambra presidential poll results

    •’INEC disenfranchised eight million voters’

    Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi has said the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from Anambra State was unacceptable.

    He accused INEC of disenfranchising over 8 million voters in the Southeast.

    Obi, who addressed reporters at his Onitsha residence, lamented that the election was systematically planned to ensure the zone did not participate fully in the exercise. He argued that only 20 per cent of the 10 million voted.

    He said: “Recall that on the election day, I said the process was clumsy, and we also had a major problem of card readers and most people could not vote.

    “When over 400,000 Card Readers got burnt, it became clear something was wrong somewhere, and INEC could not save the situation, and would not allow people vote manually.

    “But in some other parts of the country, people were allowed to vote manually and INEC accepted it. Now, how can you tell me that states like Yobe and Bornu produced the number of voters that is higher than Anambra and Ebonyi States put together?

    “Yobe and Bornu have been at war, and I wonder how they got Card Readers that worked well despite the war situation they found themselves?”

    Obi regretted the retrogressive disposition the country was tilting to, noting that instead of the country building on achievements of the 2015 election, it was on a reverse

    He added: “The impressive turn out of voters was discouraged by the performance of the electoral body last Saturday,” he added.

    The candidate also decried the harassment and attack on members of the PDP. He, however, said it was not in his powers to ask for a cancellation of the election, saying “it is left for the party to make its position clear on the matter”.

  • Obiano, Ngige, Obi, Ezeemo express concern

    ANAMBRA State Governor, Willie Obiano, said yesterday he was taken aback by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Speaking with The Nation through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Awka, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, Obiano said his party was already prepared to deliver all its candidates in the state before the unfortunate postponement.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige, said INEC’s action came with mixed feelings of disappointment because his party was ready for action.

    He however added that having listened to the INEC Chairman and his reasons, “anything worth doing is worth doing well, they should take their time.”

    However, Ngige said the electoral body should do the needful by concealing all the materials that had left the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises to different destinations.

    He said his party was already poised to deliver the President and other APC candidates at the polls in Anambra State.

    Also, the former Governor of the state and Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, described it as unexplainable.

    His media aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said Obi was calm as ever, but regretted that people had lost heavily in every aspect as a result of the postponement.

    However, many others were already counting their losses over the action by the electoral commission, having travelled from far and near for the February 16 election.

    Mr. Chidi Okafor, told The Nation that some of them had lost resources in the market, adding that they left their states of abode to come back home to vote only to be confronted by INEC.

    Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, PDP stalwart in Anambra, described the postponement as a huge embarrassment to Nigeria.

    Prof Stella Okunna, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, said the situation was a very sad one, leaving a bad precedence for a nation’s political life, adding, “This election was not impromptu, INEC brought shame to this country.”

  • Anambra markets stand still for Atiku, Obi

    Traders in Anambra State spontaneously closed their shops today to welcome Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi following his unscheduled visit to some markets in the state.

    Markets visited included Building Material market at Ogidi; New Tyre market at Ogidi; Afor Igwe, Umudioka; Oye Olisa, Ogbunike; New Parts, Nkpor, among others.

    Obi, who interacted with the traders, gave them reasons to vote in the PDP, including the need to stop the total collapse of the country as being witnessed presently.

    Read also: PDP protests posting of police chief Egbetokun to Kwara

    He assured them that with Atiku Abubakar as the president, their condition would improve, with planned development of more Sea Ports in the state. He also assured them that Atiku, noted for wealth-creation in his private life, will replicate the same if voted in as president.

    Obi assured them that Atiku’s economic blueprint contained articulated steps to revamp the power sector.

    Response by market leaders struck the same cord – that Obi, being a fellow trader and having demonstrated superb leadership as a former governor, should be voted for to export his Anambra experience to the entire country.

    Obi was accompanied by PDP chieftain like Osita Chidoka, Oseloka Obaze, Harry Oranezi, Alex Obiogbolu, among others.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Obi is our son – Delta traditional rulers

    The Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Obi of Owa Kingdom, HRM Efeizomor Emmanuel, has called on the people of Delta State to vote for Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and Mr. Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 19 presidential election. He said this during the PDP campaign in Asaba, Delta State.

    Enumerating the numerous qualities of the PDP candidates and why the duo are good for the job, the royal father said the good people of Delta State, being neighbours to Anambra State, are aware of the great leadership Obi provided when he was the governor of  Anambra State. According to him, the way and manner Obi approached leadership makes him fit for higher responsibilities.

    The traditional ruler added that coming from a neighbouring state, the ex-governor is a son to the people of Delta State. “Peter Obi is our son, and I am sure that with people like him as leaders of the country, the restoration of Nigeria will become a hopeful venture,” he said.  Recalling his numerous encounters with Obi, the Delta monarch said he could vouch for the PDP vice presidential candidate’s respect for the traditional institution.

  • Why Atiku travelled to USA —Obi

    The running mate to Alhaji Abubakar Atiku in next month’s presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, said yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer is not in the USA to prove any point to anyone.

    Obi told reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, that Atiku travelled to Washington DC because it was necessary for him to do so.

    The former governor of Anambra State expressed surprise at the dust generated by Atiku’s trip.

    Read also: Oshiomole, El-Rufa’i, rap Atiku over US trip

    His words: “Though he does over 90% of his consultations at home and among Nigerians, but now and then, he has to travel to meet  different groups, especially those that will be of assistance in the new Nigerian project.”

    Obi said that Atiku was pre-occupied on how to create jobs, reduce unemployment in Nigeria, abolish poverty and re-create the Nigerian economy in order to make Nigeria to start working again.

    He said: “His trip is about engaging partners because he wants to hit the ground running without wasting unnecessary time.”

  • Obiano, Obi of Onitsha call for emergency on youth empowerment

    The Anambra Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, have called for declaration of emergency on youth empowerment in the land.

    This, according to the duo, will end joblessness, restiveness and crimes among the youths in the society. Obiano and Igwe Achebe spoke in Onitsha during the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation where the youths were trained and empowered by the foundation The event which used to be a yearly affair for only South-East states for youths between the ages of 18 and 35 has been extended to other states like Delta, Edo, Benue and Rivers. Already, the foundation had fished out budding talents numbering 44 in the said states and had equally spent N84.5m  to set up their businesses.

    The monarch and the governor called for synergy between the government and corporate organizations in the country. Some of the youth are engaged in fishery, poultry, tailoring, bead-making. According to Otunba Michael Daramola, the Group Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, “The ultimate aim of the programme is to instill a culture of entrepreneurship among young people thereby reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria ” The programme, according to a member of the Board of Trustees, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, was first launched in South Africa in 1995 as poverty alleviation initiative, and has also been implemented in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Tanzania.

    For Obi Achebe, who is the chairman of the foundation, he expressed joy that the foundation was able to run another successful Hero’s Foundation Kick-start Programme. He urged the awardees to use their business grants and all they had learned during the business training to create value for themselves and the society. “Running business is not for the faint-hearted, especially in Nigeria. Do not relent and make the best use of this amazing opportunity you have been gifted to create value for yourself and the society” Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, thanked International Breweries Plc, for continuing to train, empower and encourage young entrepreneurs in the country.

    She said: “The Hero’s Foundation has taken upon itself the mission to instill the culture of entrepreneurship in our youth by empowering them with much needed training and funds to start up new businesses or expand already existing ones ” “This brilliant purpose has pleased the governor, as well as fellow members of his administration because bridging the gap between the youth and productivity is a project we embark on with sincere passion.”

  • How PDP ‘ll get Nigeria working again, by Obi

    THE Atiku Abubakar administration will “concentrate on project implementation to a measurable level Nigerians would see, feel and appreciate”, his running mate Peter Obi said yesterday.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate said the problem with Nigeria was more due to inefficiency in programme implementation rather than policy formulation.

    Obi, who spoke during a live interview on Channels TV, said: “This APC government has for long formulated different, beautiful policies, but the problem is with implementation.

    “The Atiku Government would concentrate on project implementation to a measurable level Nigerians would see, feel and appreciate.”

    On how many megawatts of power Atiku government would add, Obi, who insisted that four years was enough for meaningful improvement in the sector, said there was a clear roadmap that would be discussed in details during longer programmes.

    The PDP vice presidential candidate criticised the present government for its lack of proper projects implementation and transparency, saying that the quantum of money already said to have been borrowed did not match the projects that were actually executed.

    He added that the problem is not with borrowing, but actually utilising the money borrowed for productive projects rather than in consumption and waste, as rampantly witnessed in Nigeria till today.

    “To get Nigeria working again, the inefficiency, incompetence and anti-people policies that have long characterised the APC-led government of Nigeria must be reversed,” Obi said.

  • Obi wishes citizens productive new year

    PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential Peter Obi has joined other men of goodwill in wishing Nigerians a productive 2019.

    In his New Year message sent to media houses, Obi said as a realist and going by socio-economic indices all over the world, the 2019 would  be challenging globally.

    He prayed to God to continue to be with leaders at all levels and grant them the wisdom to take the right decisions, especially electing those with clear focus and wealth creators that have an idea of how to make Nigeria to start working again.

    Read also: 2019: Obaseki pledges sustained investment in infrastructure, education, others

    Obi appealed to those in authority to see the challenges the nation is facing as an opportunity to approach governance from entirely different perspectives, which, according to him, should include  seeing that right policies are in place and are vigorously implemented.

    Obi called on Nigerians to show more patriotism by resolving to be part of the project of building a better country for the future generation.

  • Shagari’s death national loss, say Obi, Fasanmi, Clark, Yakassai

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate Peter Obi, Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Southsouth leader Chief Edwin Clark and elder statesman Tanko Yakassai, have described the death of former President Shehu Shagari as a national loss.

     

    Obi: he showed leadership

    Obi spoke yesterday when he accompanied former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to Sokoto to commiserate with the Shagari family, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    His words: “Besides the lesson in patriotism and hard work, Shagari showed us that humility, care and love should be essential part of leadership, which is the hallmark of Atiku’s philosophy of leadership.”

    Obi, who described Shagari as “an urbane, compassionate, tolerant, polished politician and a leader worthy of emulation”, said some of the programmes he embarked on while leading the country, such as his “Green Revolution”, were conceived in good faith.

    On the challenges posed by Shagari’s death, Obi said the generation of Shagari is gradually passing out in obedience to the law of birth and death and that such development was a challenge to the youth to brace for leadership positions.

     

    Fasanmi mourns

    Pa Fasanmi, in a statement, described the death of the Second Republic President as a big loss to the country. He noted that “Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 while I was in the Senate.

    “He was a gentle man; he tried his best as a former President of Nigeria. His elderly counsel will be missed. This is the time that his experience will be needed by the young politicians.”

    The Afenifere chieftain noted that “during Shagari’s time, corruption wasn’t rampant as it’s now. His dedication for the selfless service is what young men should emulate. We should learn from his words – One Nation, One Destiny.”

     

    Clark: he was honourable

    Chief Edwin Clark described the late President as an honorable man of integrity.

    He noted that Shagari was committed to his duties as a former President, attending Council of State meetings as much as he could and made meaningful contributions.

    The Ijaw leader, therefore, said the late former president would be greatly missed.

    The former National Commissioner said the news came to him as a surprise.

    He said his relationship with the late former president dated back to 1968, when they both serve as national commissioners and later as members of the same political party, National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978.

    He noted that the sterling qualities of the late former president made him to be love and accepted by all.

    “I pray and plead with the politicians of today to imbibe and emulate the sterling qualities of this great politician,” Clark said.

     

    ‘A complete gentleman’

    Yakassai yesterday in Kano paid glowing tribute to Shagari, describing his death as a great loss to members of his family, the people of his Sokoto state and the nation.

    In a statement, Yakassai said Shagari was a complete gentleman and respected elder statesman, who was the most experienced politician in Nigeria’s recent history.

    According to the statement, Shagari served as minister in seven different Federal ministries at various times during the First Republic and the military government of General Yakubu Gowon.

    He noted that Shagari capped it all by being the first democratically elected executive President and Commander-in-Chief.

    Yakassai said: “A truly detribalised national leader, who regarded all Nigerians, as equal, without discrimination whatsoever. President Shagari was the only Nigerian leader, who enjoyed almost equal nationwide support of most Nigerians, both from the North and Southern parts of the country alike…

    ”May the Almighty Allah repose his gentle soul in eternal rest and give his family courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”