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Tag: Obi

  • APC to Obi: Nigeria’s interest must rise above politics

    APC to Obi: Nigeria’s interest must rise above politics

    The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Nigeria’s national interest must always rise above partisan politics.

    The party was reacting to the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi’s comment on the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and threat of possible military action.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Obi had described the U.S. designation as “deeply concerning”, expressing worry over insecurity while also urging the government to protect citizens’ lives and freedoms.

    The APC’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Seye Oladejo,in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, said sensitive national issues should not be politicised.

    He said that Obi’s statement on the matter reflected “selective outrage” and an attempt to exploit a sensitive national issue for political relevance rather than demonstrate statesmanship.

    Oladejo, accused Obi of grandstanding and seeking political attention from Nigeria’s temporary challenges.

    He said national unity and integrity must guide every public reaction to international reports about Nigeria.

    Oladejo urged citizens and political leaders to defend the country’s image through responsible communication and patriotic engagement.

    He said political differences should never override collective responsibility to protect Nigeria’s reputation.

    According to him, leaders should project optimism and confidence when discussing the nation’s challenges.

    “The interest of Nigeria must always rise above politics. We all have a duty to defend our nation’s dignity,” Oladejo said.

    The APC spokesman noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was taking bold steps to restore security and strengthen governance.

    He said reforms were ongoing to improve military coordination, intelligence sharing, and technological capacity in the fight against insecurity.

    Oladejo said the Federal Government was also addressing economic challenges that contribute to insecurity through targeted reforms and job creation.

    Read Also: Diri: I joined APC to stop Bayelsa from being buried with PDP

    He urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda continue to unfold.

    Oladejo emphasised that patriotism must be a shared value for both leaders and citizens.

    He called for constructive dialogue and collaboration across political lines to sustain national progress.

    According to him, development and stability can only thrive when the nation speaks with one voice.

    Oladejo said the APC welcomed all genuine suggestions but cautioned against statements that may weaken public confidence in the country.

    He reaffirmed that Nigeria would overcome its challenges through unity, resilience, and patriotic commitment.

    NAN recalls that the United States had  recently re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom.

    NAN also reports that the Federal Government had rejected the designation, describing it as inaccurate, and reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.

    (NAN)

  • Obi donates ₦20m to educational, health institutions

    Obi donates ₦20m to educational, health institutions

    The Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Rt Revd Ephraim Ikeakor, has lauded former Governor Peter Obi for what he described as an uncommon commitment to public service and human development. 

    The Bishop spoke during Obi’s visit to the College of Nursing Sciences at the Diocesan Hospital, Amichi, where Obi  donated ₦5 million to support ongoing infrastructural development.

    He noted that he had yet to encounter a politician whose concern for the people is as genuine and consistent as Obi’s. 

    He stressed that Obi’s philanthropic interventions are never tied to political ambition.

    “Whether he is contesting election or not, he continues to support institutions that serve society. I have not seen a politician like him,” he said.

    The cleric recalled that Obi’s visits to the hospital had become a yearly tradition, adding that he often reached out himself to confirm the visit. 

    According to him, such consistency reflects Obi’s sincerity and passion for community upliftment.

    Speaking on behalf of the students, the Students’ Union Leader, Mr Onyedika Otubaluonye, described Obi as a blessing to the school and the wider community. 

    He recalled the ambulance donated by Obi, noting that the institution has continued to benefit from his benevolence.

    Obi also visited Immaculata Girls’ Secondary School, Nnewi, where he received a warm welcome from the students. 

    Miss Ilikandu Mmasichukwu, speaking on their behalf, said the school still enjoys the benefits of buses, computers, and generators donated during Obi’s tenure as governor. 

    Appreciating past interventions, Mmasichukwu appealed for additional support, including a Coaster bus, a Hilux vehicle, laptops for WAEC CBT examinations, and solar power.

    At St Felix Hospital, Nnewi, Obi again commended the commitment of the medical team and donated another ₦15 million to enhance healthcare services.

    The Manager of the hospital, Rev Fr Peter Ugochukwu, who recalled Obi’s visit in 2023, said they were very proud to see him again and to be associated with him. 

    He said plans were underway to acquire a permanent site, build a multi-specialty hospital, and establish a School of Nursing and Midwifery.

    Responding at the events, Obi reiterated his message on purposeful leadership, stating that society must celebrate leaders who serve humanity with sincerity. 

    He praised Bishop Ikeakor for his dedication to the Church and the community, describing him as “a cleric whose integrity and service I deeply admire.”

    Addressing the students of Immaculata Girls’ Secondary School, Obi encouraged them to take their education seriously, assuring them that education remains the most powerful tool for global relevance. 

    “With education, you can become another Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof Chinyere Okunna, or Chimamanda Adichie.” He promised to support the school’s requests.

    At St Felix Hospital, Obi said he had come to contribute to efforts to strengthen the hospital so it could continue serving God through serving humanity. 

    He encouraged the healthcare workers and urged them not to relent in their efforts to deliver quality care.

  • You can’t influence North against Tinubu, Alawuje tells Atiku, Obi

    You can’t influence North against Tinubu, Alawuje tells Atiku, Obi

    As political momentum builds toward the 2027 general elections, Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, founder of the Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ) and a key figure in the Tinubu Support Movement, has declared that “Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have neither the influence nor the credibility to turn the North against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    In a strongly worded statement, Alawuje cautioned politicians “engaging in underground ethnic and religious politics,” insisting that every move is being closely monitored.

    “Be warned. There is no political or ethnic scheme you can execute without the awareness of our agents. The North will not be deceived again,” he said.

    Recalling Tinubu’s pivotal role in the 2015 elections, Alawuje said history will not forget how the then–APC National Leader “stood firmly with the North when it mattered most.”

    “At that crucial moment, Tinubu traversed the region, convincing millions who once opposed Buhari to support him. The North has not forgotten that selfless act,” he stated.

    He described the North as “a region of loyalty and honour,” stressing that it would “reward Tinubu with its votes again in 2027.”

    The Tinubu loyalist accused Atiku of masking a “Northern agenda” while alleging that Peter Obi was “hiding behind religious sentiments.”

    Read Also: Atiku, Pitobi and their hero

    “Both are playing hypocritical politics of the highest order. No propaganda will turn the North against its trusted ally from the Southwest,” he declared.

    Citing recent remarks by the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, who noted that “Nigeria has pulled back from the brink of economic collapse,” Alawuje commended President Tinubu’s “bold and transformative reforms.”

    “Tinubu is performing exceptionally well—transforming Nigeria’s economic and developmental landscape. Nigerians only need patience,” he added.

    Praising the President’s resilience amid criticism, Alawuje said Tinubu’s governance had silenced detractors.

    “Despite social media ‘economists’ sowing fear, Tinubu has proven them wrong. He is a courageous and visionary leader—an economic reformer and a true champion of human development,” he said.

    Alawuje urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s ongoing reforms and resist divisive politics, saying, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made us proud. He has laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future.”

  • Obi’s comment on Yahoo Yahoo boys reckless, disappointing- Lagos APC

    Obi’s comment on Yahoo Yahoo boys reckless, disappointing- Lagos APC

    The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the remarks by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, as “geniuses” who need redirection.

    In a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the party described Obi’s statement as “morally reprehensible” and unbecoming of someone who once sought to lead Nigeria.

    Oladejo said Obi’s comment was “disappointing and dangerous,” arguing that it trivialised a serious crime in a country already struggling to restore moral values.

    “There’s nothing genius about crime. Yahoo Yahoo is a social tragedy, not a talent.
    “We are genuinely worried about Mr. Obi’s state of mind – one that glorifies fraudulent practices while condemning corruption and dishonesty in the same breath. Such contradiction exposes a profound moral confusion that has no place in leadership.”

    The Lagos APC spokesperson accused Obi of seeking political relevance through “reckless speech” and said his “so-called compassion for fraudsters” was misplaced.

    “His desperation for attention has replaced reasoned leadership with reckless speech. There should be a limit to unbridled desperation,” Oladejo said.

    He further alleged that Obi misled Nigerian youths during the 2023 elections “through propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation,” and urged him to stop making statements that could weaken moral discipline among young people.

    “He exploited their hopes, fed their frustrations, and built a campaign on deceit and social media hysteria. The least he can do now is to retain some modicum of respect by refraining from further embarrassing statements that insult the intelligence of the same young people he deceived.
    “True leadership demands responsibility, not recklessness; moral strength, not moral confusion,” he stated.

    Oladejo added that while the APC supports youth empowerment and innovation, it would never endorse or romanticise cybercrime.

    “Internet fraud is not genius; it is theft, deceit, and moral failure.

    Read Also: Atiku, Pitobi and their hero

    “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigerian youths are being equipped with real opportunities through initiatives such as the 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talent Programme), NELFUND, and digital innovation programmes that provide legitimate avenues for success,” he said.

    The party concluded by emphasising that leadership should be rooted in integrity, not populism.

    “Leadership is about values, not vibes; about integrity, not impulsiveness. Mr. Obi’s latest outburst is a tragic reminder that populism without principle is a danger to democracy,” the statement read.

    Obi had made the remarks on Saturday during a youth conference in Onitsha themed “Money Beyond Wealth.”

    “I reminded our young people that while money is important, it is only a fragment of true wealth, which rests on integrity, character, and purpose. Real wealth uplifts both the individual and society, promotes education, reduces poverty, and creates opportunities for others to live dignified lives.

    “I told the youths that some of our so-called Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation. Their creativity and courage, if properly guided, can drive innovation and national development. Our challenge is to channel their energy from deception to productive enterprise.

    “I also stressed that the reckless pursuit of money destroys both character and community. Leadership must lead by example, for a nation that rewards dishonesty cannot build integrity.
    “I urged our youths to rediscover the dignity of labour and embrace hard work and innovation. Nations are built not by miracles but by men and women who think, work, and build,” Obi said.

  • Tears as Obi, others bid Arise News Anchor farewell

    Tears as Obi, others bid Arise News Anchor farewell

    It was wailing and agony on Saturday in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, as family members, friends, colleagues and dignitaries, including former Governor Peter Obi, gathered for the burial of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie.

    Obi, who hails from same Agulu community as the late broadcaster, reportedly flew in from Birmingham, United Kingdom to attend the burial.

    Speaking after the funeral Mass at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu, the former Labour Party presidential candidate described Sommie’s death as heartbreaking and painful reminder of the insecurity plaguing the nation.

    “We cannot question God. When I heard of her death, I didn’t even know she was from Agulu before I tweeted about it. 

    “Before leaving Birmingham yesterday, I told those around me that I was rushing home for the burial of one of my daughters. 

    “Her loss is deeply painful, but we must accept the will of God and continue to remember her and her family in our prayers,” he said.

    In his homily, parish priest of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Rev Fr Peter Ezewuzie urged the bereaved family to find comfort in the faith that Sommie lived a meaningful life, even if her time on earth was short. 

    “The Lord who created us knows the beginning from the end. We may feel her life was cut short, but we cannot see what God sees. The maturity of life is not in its length but in its quality — and Sommie lived a quality life,” he added.

    The late broadcaster was laid to rest at her father’s compound shortly after the Mass, around 1:30 p.m., amid an atmosphere of deep sorrow. Many mourners wept openly as her casket was lowered into the grave.

    Speaking on behalf of the family, elder brother to the deceased’s father, Mr Obi Maduagwu expressed gratitude to Arise News for standing by the family since the tragedy.

    Read Also: 2027: Wike attacks Obi, says he can’t be president

     “We thank the management of Arise News. They have been with us from the beginning. We also thank everyone who journeyed from far and near to console us,” he said.

    The late broadcaster died tragically in September during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Abuja. Reports said the assailants invaded her home at night and, in the course of the attack. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later confirmed dead. 

    Her sudden death sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s media community, where she was admired as one of the promising young faces of television journalism. 

    Tributes have since poured in from colleagues, friends, and prominent Nigerians, who described her as intelligent, hardworking and full of life.

    The burial brought together journalists, government officials, and community members who paid their last respects to Sommie, a bright star whose light was cruelly extinguished, leaving behind memories of brilliance, humility and promise.

  • 2027: Wike attacks Obi, says he can’t be president

    2027: Wike attacks Obi, says he can’t be president

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday questioned the leadership qualities and capacity of the 2023 Labour Party (LP)’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to govern the country.

    He said Obi would continue to contest as president on social media but not as the nation’s president .

    Wike spoke at the inauguration of two new roads – ILS11 (Esther Bali Street) and MAR24 (Kez Udezue Street) – in  Mabushi, Abuja.

    The minister frowned at what he called  Obi’s constant criticisms of the government.

    He said Obi lacks the integrity to lecture anyone on governance, having, according to him, failed as Anambra  State governor.

    The minister advised the former governor to keep silent instead of criticising good governance.  

    Wike said: “You ran as president on the platform of  a party, and you cannot manage the party, ordinary party. You cannot manage to hold a  party together;  is it Nigeria of over 200 million people that you want to manage? Ordinary party of how many people? Crisis. You can’t hold them, but you want to manage a complex nation like Nigeria. It is not available for people like you. You can know a good dancer from the first step”.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests two Metro digital TV employees for alleged illegal  rebroadcast of DStv, GOtv Channel

    Wike accused Obi of hypocrisy, saying that while he flaunts public shows of compassion, his record in Anambra State tells a different story.

    He said: “Mr Peter Obi, we just came into office two years ago. We have not even stayed four years, but you stayed eight good years. Compare two years in office of what we have done in FCT with your eight years in office in Anambra. Can you really say you love this country? Can you really say you love Anambra? Certainly not. If I were you, I would be quiet. Why not be quiet? Enough is enough.

    “You cannot be President of Nigeria only when you go to one IDP camp for a birthday party. ‘I went to celebrate my birthday party in an IDP camp…’ Who is interested in all those things? Doing your birthday party in an IDP camp does not make it feel that you love Nigeria or want to do anything for Nigeria.

    “When you were a governor, why didn’t you do your birthday party in an IDP camp? It is now you want to be president. Every day, I am going to celebrate my birthday with the less privileged. Who will you deceive? Enough is enough.”

    Wike  alleged that Obi prioritised personal profit over development during his eight years in office.

    He said: “Some people, because of politics, castigate the government. For example, I heard one of the social media presidential candidates went to one of the local authority area schools and was saying that the government has abandoned public schools. In particular, his name is Mr Peter Obi.

    “It is not everything you must play politics with. Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years in Anambra State. If you had finished all the jobs, nobody would be talking about developing Anambra by now.”

  • Master defector now suffering political amnesia, APC tells Obi

    Master defector now suffering political amnesia, APC tells Obi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has reacted to the latest outburst from the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, who claimed that “nobody can capture Southeast with defections.”

    The party, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said:

    ‘’As usual, Obi’s statement is long on drama, but short on logic- a desperate attempt to stay politically-relevant in a fast-evolving Nigeria that has moved on from empty populism.

    ‘’It is rather amusing that the same Peter Obi  – the undisputed master defector in Nigerian politics – now pretends to have a moral right to lecture anyone about political loyalty. This is a man who moved from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), then to LP, and who, according to credible whispers within his shrinking camp, is already in the political marketplace shopping for yet another platform to inherit before 2027.

    ‘’Suddenly, the serial defector is suffering selective amnesia when discussing others’ political moves. He conveniently forgets his entire career has been built on defection, opportunism and expediency. If there were a trophy for political cross-carpeting, Obi would be its unchallenged winner.

    Read Also: You will remain ‘social media’ President, Wike tells Obi

    ‘’Let it be made clear: APC is not “capturing” Southeast – the region is voluntarily aligning with the national mainstream because Nigerians are done with emotional blackmail, divisive rhetoric and politics of victimhood. The people of Southeast deserve inclusion, infrastructure and investment – not empty crusades and sentimental activism.

    ‘’Obi also needs to be reminded that power is not served à la carte. It is earned through structure, consistency and the ability to build bridges across the federation  – all of which he sorely lacks.

    ‘’His politics of isolation and sanctimony may have once excited social media, but Nigeria of today demands substance, not sympathy.

    ‘’He’s been told loud and clear that the Southeast is not his fiefdom.

    Divisive and religious politics no longer has a place in a country that is finally embracing unity and progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That’s the new reality.

    ‘’In truth, Peter Obi now stands politically stranded – abandoned by allies, weakened by reality and walking alone in a wilderness of his own making. The earlier he faces that truth, the better for what remains of his political relevance.’’

  • Obi: why we’re backing LP candidate Moghalu

    Obi: why we’re backing LP candidate Moghalu

    The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed confidence in the capacity of the party’s governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr George Moghalu, to win the November 8 governorship election and restore purposeful governance to the state.

    Obi, who spoke during a visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ositadinma Nwokedi (Uthoko n’Eze Achalla), as part of the party’s community-to-community campaign tour, said leadership should be rooted in humility, compassion, and service to humanity.

    “We are supporting a man who has what it takes to rebuild Anambra — a man of character, compassion, and competence,” Obi declared.

    He described Moghalu as a leader with integrity and a proven commitment to the values of accountability and people-centred governance, adding that the Labour Party was united in its determination to bring meaningful development to Anambra State.

    In his remarks, Dr Moghalu decried the deplorable state of roads and infrastructure in Achalla and across Awka North Local Government Area, blaming the situation on years of neglect and failed leadership.

    Read Also: DJ Dope Caesar debunks death rumour

    “We are at a critical point in our state’s history,” Moghalu said. “The roads in Achalla are scandalous, and no government has any justification to abandon this community despite the huge allocations from the federal government. Awka North receives billions monthly, yet there is nothing to show for it. No road here lasts even one season — the leadership has failed our people.”

    Also speaking, the Member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Prof. Oby Orogbu, condemned what she described as the total absence of government presence in Achalla despite its status as the headquarters of Awka North Local Government Area.

    She listed some of the projects she personally attracted to the area, including the ongoing reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Achalla, the supply of learning materials to public schools, the installation of solar-powered streetlights, and the renovation of rural health centres.

    “It pains me deeply that Achalla has been abandoned by successive governments,” Orogbu said. “Our people deserve schools, roads, and healthcare that work.”

    Welcoming the delegation, Igwe Ositadinma Nwokedi commended the team for their humility and commitment to grassroots engagement. He offered prayers for their success and urged them to continue demonstrating leadership anchored on service and empathy.

  • Obi advocates submission of certificates six months before polls

    Obi advocates submission of certificates six months before polls

    Labour Party(LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has canvassed mandatory submission of academic certificates by candidates for elections to the  Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)  six months before every election.

    Obi, in a post on his X yesterday, said the idea could be a part of the proposed amendment to the nation’s electoral law.  

    In a veiled reference to the forgery saga involving Science and Technology Minister Godffrey Nnaji, the former Anambra State governor wrote: “These certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days.

    “This process must also apply to appointed officials, ministers and even aides, because when dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads to every level of governance, just like it’s happening now.

    “We must deal with certificate forgery holistically with the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves. Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter.”

    He referred to Indonesia, where, according to him, officials who contested elections with forged certificates or did not attend schools but claimed to have, got kicked out and prosecuted.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: 10 Most affordable Nigerian states to live in 2025

    The former LP candidate noted that even though Nigeria has similar laws, INEC does not scrutinise certificates before the elections.

    He said: “(INEC) overlooks complaints of forgery, and when challenged after the elections, the court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as ‘pre-election matters’ without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment.

    “INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election.”

    The former governor said another issue that worries him is how “criminals and dishonest people” scale through all layers of scrutiny by security, parliament and government agencies.  

    “Even more disturbing, amounting to double tragedy, is that most of these dishonest people swore an affidavit before a law court attesting to the authenticity of the documents they presented.

    “We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC has enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims,” Obi said.

  • Story of Trump meeting with me is fake, devious – Obi

    Story of Trump meeting with me is fake, devious – Obi

    Mr Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate has described the circulating story of him meeting with the U.S President, Donald Trump as fake, and  orchestrated for a devious motive.

    Obi, a former governor of Anambra, in a message posted on his X handle on Wednesday, said that his attention was drawn to some pictures circulating on social media, falsely portraying meetings he never had.

    According to him, one of such images purports to show me with  Trump, alongside a fabricated claim that he praised me.

    “Another seeks to depict me with M.C Oluomo in his office. Let me state categorically that both pictures are fake and doctored, and the accompanying stories are entirely false.

    “I have not met Mr Trump recently, nor have I had any such meeting with MC Oluomo.

    Read Also: Obi should stop playing politics with philanthropy, says Lagos APC

    “These fabrications highlight the persistent dangers of fake news and disinformation in our society.

    “They are not only misleading but deliberately designed to confuse, misguide, and distract the public.

    He stressed that  Nigerians and the international community must remain vigilant, verify information before sharing, and resist the culture of propaganda that undermined truth and integrity.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, if I had such meetings, I would have personally made them public on my X handle,” he added.

    Obi revealed that his politics had never been about seeking praise or cheap publicity; it is about confronting the real problems of Nigeria and working toward solutions grounded in integrity, accountability, and transparency.

    He explained that politics is strictly focused on addressing the challenges of Nigerians, by tackling insecurity, rule of law, education, healthcare, and pulling millions out of poverty.

    (NAN)