I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to Channels Television on Monday.
After a prolonged absence from public discourse, one would have expected that time away might have sharpened Senator Sheriff’s judgment. Regrettably, that does not appear to be the case.
In the interview, the former governor claimed that Peter Obi cannot command sizeable support in Northern Nigeria. It is curious that he has appointed himself spokesperson for the Northern masses. For the record, in his first outing on the presidential ballot, Mr. Obi secured approximately 2.8 million votes in the region — a remarkable achievement that cannot be dismissed lightly.
Given the current national hardships, the widespread consensus on the failure of the APC administration, and the addition of a strong Northern figure to the ticket who previously garnered 1.45 million votes in the region, the OK ticket remains a formidable force in Northern politics.
Even more surprising was Senator Sheriff’s assertion that the people of Kano would not vote for Mr. Obi. Let me state clearly: the good people of Kano are neither bigoted nor xenophobic. They have consistently demonstrated strong trust in the Kwankwasiyya movement and will support any credible ticket presented under its banner.
I respectfully advise Senator Sheriff that, in future national television appearances, he would do better to speak to the serious insecurity and humanitarian challenges facing his home state, rather than making divisive and poorly considered remarks.
The OK ticket currently represents the best opportunity for Nigerians to reset the country and place it on a path of competence, unity, and progress. - RMK
Worsening Leadership Crisis in the Country Now Evident
The ultimate cost of uncompassionate leadership, as evident in the country today, is turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment. It is even more traumatising when the leader presiding over that collapse demonstrates clear incapacity and a lack of compassion.
The government and people of Oyo State, more than 50 days after the abduction of the schoolchildren without any tangible effort toward their rescue, should rightly feel bitter and abandoned.
Since this unfortunate incident, I have spoken publicly about it twice, including appealing directly to the kidnappers to release the children. I also called the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this issue is not just an Oyo problem but a Nigerian tragedy.
On Friday, July 3, I decided to travel to Ibadan with Prof. Pat Utomi to express solidarity with the Governor, as more than 50 days had elapsed without the rescue of the children and with numerous others still being held captive across the country.
During our two-hour meeting, I shared my experience in addressing insecurity as Governor of Anambra State. I recalled how President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, would personally call us several times whenever we faced major security challenges.
But, to my utmost shock, I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter, Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu.
I remember the only case of a school kidnapping during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era - the Chibok girls. It drew local and international attention. Even though the security agencies provided almost daily updates on their efforts, Nigerians and the rest of the world were outraged that it took President Jonathan over two weeks to call the then State chief Executive.
I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a team of vocal critics who called for President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his delay in calling the state governor. That call for IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION should actually be the case in this matter.
Today, under President Tinubu, there have been more than 13 school kidnappings, yet the President has found it difficult to call the affected state’s chief executive after more than 50 days (over 7 weeks). This is outrageous. I suspect the same may also have been the case in other school kidnapping incidents.
I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country. It is now an indisputable fact that governance has completely collapsed under this administration.
The situation reflects a total lack of capacity and compassion, compounded by glaring insensitivity.
Amid such an apparent display of incompetence, the President should either resign or, at the very least, abstain from seeking re-election for the sake of our dear country. This call is patriotic, not political. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Peter Obi Promises To Invest In Nigerians And Empower Small Businesses - Zekeri
He is already doing it by investing in education. A well-trained mind has no limit to what it can achieve. What this government is doing with NELFUND is giving with one hand and taking with the other. It is a government of utter confusion.
Idris Zekeri Jr, Spokesman, Peter Obi Media Reach
Nigeria Has 35 Million Hungry People, That’s Enough To Form A Country - Zekeri
About 35 million Nigerians are facing hunger. This administration has also pushed about 140 million Nigerians into multidimensional poverty. For the President’s spokesperson to dismiss these legitimate concerns of Nigerians is deeply disappointing and unacceptable.
Idris Zekeri Jr, Spokesman, Peter Obi Media Reach
Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility
This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible. -PO
General Christopher Musa gave an order: see a bandit, see a terrorist, kill them. No more calling Abuja. No more waiting for permission. Seven days later, he was removed as Chief of Defence Staff.
Seven days.
That removal told you everything about who actually runs Nigeria’s security apparatus. It wasn’t about competence. It was about control. The cabal does not want a general who acts. It wants a general who asks.
Then came the pressure. The Americans noticed and Nigerians noticed. The consensus was rare: bring Musa back, make him Defence Minister, let the man work.
So they brought him back.
And then they called him aside.
The same people who removed him for being too decisive sat him down and explained how things are done. What he must do. What he must not do. And somewhere in that room, the general who once said kill the terrorists became the politician who now manages their optics.
That is the Nigerian security story in full. Every man with fire in him gets called aside. Every policy with teeth gets blunted before it bites. And the cycle continues, counted in bodies.
Musa’s appointment changed nothing because appointments in Nigeria are not about governance. They are about absorption. Find the threat, give it a title, and neutralise it with protocol.
We did not get a Defence Minister. Na cautionary tale we get now. His job is to tell us stories.
CONTINUOUS ABDUCTION OF NIGERIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN AND THE COLLAPSE OF SCHOOL SAFETY
After congratulating Nigerian children as they celebrate their day today, my heart remains heavy and troubled, knowing that some Nigerian children have remained in captivity for years. It is a shame that days, weeks, months, and even years have passed while our children continue to languish in kidnappers’ dens, with their heartbreaking images still circulating on social media.
A nation that cannot protect its children from criminals has little but shame to present to the global community. No parent can bear the shame of being unable to protect his or her children, yet here we are as a nation, moving on while our children continue to suffer in forests and captivity for years. -PO
Dear children, happy celebrations!
As we honour you today, I reflect on the incredible talent, energy, and resilience you possess. You are not only the future of our nation but also its vibrant pulse in the present. Each time I look into the eyes of a child in Nigeria—whether in a classroom, a displaced persons' camp in Benue, or on the streets of Lagos—I see unparalleled potential. I envision future scientists, tech visionaries, leaders, and builders who can stand toe-to-toe with the world’s best if they have access to the right resources.
The true measure of a nation's leadership lies in how it cares for its youngest members. It is unacceptable that countless children remain out of school, and that essential healthcare and safety are seen as privileges instead of rights. To transform Nigeria from a nation of consumption to one of production, we must begin by investing significantly in you.
Leaders, parents, and educators, we must acknowledge that the best investment a nation can make is in developing its human capital, particularly through foundational education and healthcare. Failing to invest in our children today is akin to borrowing from our future.
To you, my dear children:
• Always keep dreaming: Your current situation does not limit your potential.
• Remain curious: Engage in reading, learning, and adopting new technologies. The world is evolving rapidly, and you have the intellect to lead that evolution.
• Take pride in your identity: As Nigerians, you embody resilience, brilliance, and the promise of greatness.
We will continue our efforts to cultivate a new Nigeria—one where your dreams are recognised, schools are safe, and your future is assured.
Blessings to all, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. -PO
Yesterday, May 19th, in Abuja, I attended the Presidential screening organised by our party, which took over two and a half hours. They carefully reviewed all my documents, including my degree certificates, NYSC credentials, and age declarations.
During the process, I also addressed questions regarding my vision for a new Nigeria and the type of leadership our nation urgently needs right now. Following this, I was cleared and received the presidential nomination form I had previously paid for.
I would like to commend the screening committee, led by former governor Sam Egwu, for their thorough and professional approach. Additionally, I appreciate our party's leadership for upholding the democratic process.
A New Nigeria is POssible. - PO
A Nation Losing Its HUMANITY.
Some events shatter a society so deeply that words are no longer enough to express the shock; the brutal killing of a teacher and the horrific rape and murder of an elderly woman are among such tragedies. These are not isolated incidents but signs of deeper moral and social decay.
How did we get here? How did we reach a point where teachers are hunted and killed, and the elderly—custodians of memory and wisdom—suffer such dehumanising violence?
This is more than a security crisis; it is a failure of collective humanity. We have become desensitised, consuming tragedy briefly and moving on, allowing indifference to normalise the unacceptable.
To the families affected, I share in your grief. But grief alone is not enough.
We must demand accountability and urgent systemic change. If such atrocities no longer move us to action, then we risk losing our shared humanity. -PO
🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 💣🤍
All terms have been verbally agreed between José Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents.
Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game.
The Special One is back.
State visits by Leaders are not tourism, and diplomacy is not a fashion parade. Every foreign trip undertaken by a government must deliver measurable benefits to the people, including investments, technology transfer, trade agreements, factory expansion, industrial partnerships, and job creation.
During President Trump’s recent visit to China, the American delegation reportedly included a few top government officials, and many of the biggest figures in global business and technology:
Consequently, huge trade deals worth several billion dollars including about 200 Boeing orders were achieved.
The list of the entourage included
1. Donald J. Trump – President of the United States
2. Marco Rubio – Secretary of State
3. Pete Hegseth – Secretary of Defence
4. Elon Musk – CEO, Tesla & SpaceX
5. Jensen Huang – CEO, Nvidia
6. Tim Cook – CEO, Apple
7. Larry Fink – CEO, BlackRock
8. Stephen Schwarzman – CEO, Blackstone
9. Kelly Ortberg – CEO, Boeing
10. Brian Sikes – CEO, Cargill
11. Jane Fraser – CEO, Citigroup
12. Larry Culp – CEO, General Electric
13. David Solomon – CEO, Goldman Sachs
14. Sanjay Mehrotra – CEO, Micron Technology
15.Cristiano Amon – CEO, Qualcomm
16. Dina P. McCormick – President of Meta
17. Ryan McInerney – CEO, Visa
18. Michael Miebach – President, Mastercard
19. Jim Anderson – CEO, Coherent
20. Jacob Thaysen – CEO, Illumina
That is how serious nations approach diplomacy, by aligning foreign policy with economic expansion, industrial growth, innovation, and national productivity.
I hope that lessons can be learned from these recent visits comparing them with the President of Nigeria’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom.
A large entourage of politicians, aides, and government officials travelled, yet Nigerians are still asking a simple question: what exactly did Nigeria bring home?
Which factories are coming to Nigeria?
What power, technology, manufacturing, agricultural, or industrial agreements were secured?
How many direct jobs will this visit create for Nigerian youths?
What investments were attracted?
What measurable economic outcomes can the ordinary Nigerian point to?
The delegation reportedly included:
1. President Bola Tinubu
2. Senator (Mrs) Tinubu
3.12 governors
4.9 ministers
5.7 members of the National Assembly
6. Over 20 senior State House staff
7. Over 30 security personnel
8. Over 10 domestic staff
9. Several supporters and associates
It is not enough to ride horses, wear matching uniforms, attend royal banquets, and release glossy photographs. Symbolism without substance cannot feed hungry citizens.
Today, Nigeria is in decline, battling serious insecurity, food insecurity, unemployment, a weakened naira, declining industrial productivity, and worsening poverty.
At a time when millions of Nigerians struggle daily to afford food and survive economic hardship, every kobo spent on foreign trips must produce tangible national value: investments, factories, jobs, exports, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.
Nigeria needs leadership that is focused less on optics and more on productivity; less on ceremony and more on measurable economic results.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO