The True Cost of Selling and Buying Votes
Vote-buying is one of the greatest dangers confronting our democracy. It is never an act of kindness; it is a calculated investment in corruption. Those who buy votes do so with only one intention—to gain access to public funds. By bribing voters today, they are purchasing a licence to plunder tomorrow. And when they get into office, the money meant for schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs is diverted into private pockets. Such people are not leaders—they are looters. Their actions rob our society of dignity, development, and even life itself.
But those who sell their votes are not innocent either. When you exchange your ballot for money or material gain, you are not just selling a vote—you are selling your future. You are selling away the schools your children should attend, the hospitals that should save lives, and the jobs that should lift families out of poverty. In truth, you mortgage your tomorrow for a token that can not sustain you today.
The reality is simple: looters can only loot when we hand them the key. If your vote had no value, nobody would be desperate to buy it. The fact that millions are spent on vote-buying shows that your ballot is priceless. The real power does not lie in their money. It lies in your conscience, your courage, and your vote.
The choice is ours. We either keep selling our votes and remain trapped in poverty and bad governance, or we rise above temporary gain and reclaim the future of our nation. Every Nigerian must take responsibility. Let us reject the politics of bribery and embrace the politics of service. Let us elect leaders who will build, not loot.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Alleged Corruption: I left N36bn that I would have stolen... have you ever seen a thief leave what they can steal? Peter Obi.
As president, I will fight corruption head-on, he says.
#SundayPolitics#CTVTweets
This morning in Abuja, I met with the new EU Ambassador, Gautier Mignot, @GautierMignot2 , who briefed me on the invaluable work the EU is doing in Nigeria — especially in the North East and North West in critical areas of development such as education, health, agriculture, and efforts around the Lake Chad Basin.
I was particularly elated by their concentration in the North East and North West, which, for me, deserves special attention. I also commend their commitment to critical areas of development that can help in educating, and pulling out of poverty and increase productivity, particularly in agriculture, which will reduce the root causes of the criminality and hardship experienced in these regions.
I urge them not to relent in the good work they are doing to help turn Nigeria around.
I believe that with all this support—combined with good governance, competent leadership with capacity, and compassion, we can turn Nigeria around.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
My chilling encounter with an elderly woman, yesterday, has left me seriously worried about the depth of insensitivity that characterises our political and institutional leadership in Nigeria.
While interacting with the management and students of Shanahan College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka, during my official visit to the institution, I noticed this elderly woman struggling desperately to talk to me.
People around tried to push her away and shun her into silence, but I instantly requested to have a word with her and hear her story.
She introduced herself as a retired civil servant who devoted the productive years of her life working for the nation.
She lamented that for a while her pension had not been paid. What was more heartbreaking was that she had been sick and admitted to the hospital for over a week, with medical bills, but her immediate worry was that she did not even have one Naira to buy food.
I felt a surge of anger and pity. Anger at leaders like me, who out of greed and insatiable desperation for material acquisition, have made life a living hell for others, by denying them the fruits of their labour. And then pity for the poor elderly woman, and many others like her whose painful stories may never be heard.
That is the nation we live in. A nation that has lost its sense of humanity and compassion.
I have said it before, and I still maintain, that any government that withholds the pensions and gratuities of our senior citizens in their vulnerable years, is wicked. As a Governor, I inherited and paid off over N30 billion in pensions and gratuities accumulated over the years, because I understood the pain the elderly citizens were going through.
I instantly gave her my little support and promised to follow up her case with the hospital management.
However, I am more concerned with the many others like her, dying in silence in many parts of the nation, because no one can speak for them. We must fix this nation. Nigeria must work for all, and everyone will get their due rewards for their productive contributions.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Yesterday, I visited one of our Obidient family members, Ijeoma, who is currently receiving care in a hospital in Abuja. Her resilience reminded me of the countless individuals across Nigeria who are in similar situations—hospitalized and in need of support, compassion, and care.
As we enter the festive season, I urge everyone to extend a hand of kindness to those in need. Even the smallest gestures, whether through prayers, kind words, thoughtful visits, or tangible support, can have a profound impact on their lives.
Let us be reminded that the most critical foundation for a nation's development is a healthy and educated population. A society cannot thrive without prioritizing the well-being, education, and lifting them out of poverty. As we celebrate the season, let us make it a time of care, compassion, and kindness for those who need it most.
A new, healthy Nigeria is POssible! -PO
Yesterday 1st January 2025, from Crossover vigil, and early mass, I visited the IDP camp in Durumi, Abuja at 7.30am, to spend time with the residents amid their challenges. During the visit, I provided some financial support and promised to do more as part of my effort to ease their burdens.
This visit, as part of my New Year engagements, offered a chance to connect directly with those affected by displacement and listen to their stories. Their resilience in the face of adversity is inspiring and highlights the urgent need for more inclusive policies to address the challenges faced by internally displaced persons.
These interactions underscore the importance of implementing practical solutions that improve lives and restore dignity to those in need.
A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO
I attended the crossover service at the Dunamis International Gospel Center, Glory Dome, Abuja, hosted by Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Paul Enenche.
The service was graced by former Presidents of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma and other distinguished dignitaries, and a congregation of devoted worshippers.
It was a time of heartfelt prayer and inspiring worship as we crossed over into the year 2025 with faith and hope.
As we step into this new year, I join millions of Nigerians in praying for a New Nigeria—a nation where insecurity, hunger, poverty, and the absence of empathy are replaced with peace, prosperity, compassion and good governance.
Together, we shall continue working tirelessly to transform Nigeria by prioritizing education, improving healthcare, and pulling people out of poverty.
May 2025 mark the beginning of a new Nigeria that is possible!!! -PO
Have I really crossed the line?
I ask the question because my New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me. While I have received all sorts of messages, one Mr. Felix Morka has gone further to accuse me of "crossing the line" and has warned that I will face the consequences.
I find it necessary to share this message again and urge everyone who has not seen it to watch:
https://t.co/f26UDjdT7Z
If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum. However, I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully, especially as our nation continues to drift toward undemocratic practices.
We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed.
May God help us create a better and freer society for the sake of our children. -PO