What June 12 Should Mean to Us Nigerians
Today, we observe a day that should mean a great deal to us as a people who cherish democratic principles. Every year on June 12, the conversation inevitably turns to a critical assessment of the state of our nation. It serves as an annual benchmark for asking important questions: Are our elections today as transparent as they were in 1993? Is the social contract being honoured? Are the institutions of governance truly serving the people?
Ultimately, June 12 is a powerful blend of reflection and aspiration. It honours a fractured past while serving as a constant and foundational reminder of the immense power inherent in the collective democratic will of the Nigerian people.
For us in Nigeria, June 12 is not merely a date on the calendar; it is the emotional and structural bedrock of our modern democratic identity. Officially recognised as Democracy Day, June 12 carries deep historical, political, and social significance, representing both a monumental tragedy and the ultimate triumph of the collective will of the people.
To understand what June 12 means to Nigeria, one must examine its history, its evolution, and its enduring symbolism.
A new era of true democracy is POssible. -PO
Together Towards the New Nigeria That Is Possible
On this June 12, Democracy Day, I had useful meetings with my partners in the building of the New Nigeria that is Possible: our great party’s National Leader, H.E. Senator Seriake Dickson, and our party’s Vice Presidential candidate, H.E. Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. The NDC, as a party that is barely four months old, despite the challenges, remains the party of the future, and the fruitful discussions at the meetings clearly underscore this fact.
The leaders and members of a committed political family must be willing to make sacrifices and show tolerance and accommodation, even in difficult circumstances. This shared understanding is essential for building trust, strengthening unity, and sustaining the vision we collectively hold for national transformation.
We are all committed to this goal. The NDC remains the vehicle that will convey Nigeria through purposeful, compassionate leadership, with firm commitment to productivity and democratic ideals towards the New Nigeria that is POssible. -PO
A Black man scoring the first goal of the 2026 World Cup to silence the African continent’s most hostile nation towards Black foreigners is absolutely poetic. Thank you, Mexico! 🇲🇽
Dear South Africans,
Remember we did this for you and today you hurt Nigerians
Is this how to appreciate those that suffered for your freedom

In 1976, Nigeria established the Southern Africa Relief Fund (SARF) to support anti-apartheid liberation struggles. Under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo, all Nigerian civil servants and public officers were mandated to contribute 2% of their monthly salaries to the fund, which became popularly known as the "Mandela Tax". [1, 2]
The grassroots and public initiative was highly successful: [1, 2]
•Initial Government Support: General Obasanjo's administration contributed $3.7 million to SARF, alongside personal donations of $3,000 from the General himself and $1,500 from each cabinet member. [1]
•Public Participation: Civil servants forfeited 2% of their salaries, and students actively skipped lunches to donate their allowances. [1]
•Fundraising Milestone: In just six months, popular contributions reached $10.5 million by June 1977.[1]
•Broader Aid: These funds were utilized to bring relief to victims of the apartheid regime, finance educational opportunities, and support the general welfare of liberation movements. This contribution was part of an estimated $61 billion that Nigeria spent between 1960 and 1995 toward the anti-apartheid struggle. [1, 2, 3]
Information reaching me indicate that voter registration across Nigeria, more so in the South East, is dogged by inertia & bureaucratic bottlenecks. I respectfully call on @inecnigeria to facilitate speedy registration of Nigerians to enable them exercise their voting rights.-PO
Despite Three Years of Tinubu's Food Emergency, Nigeria hungriest ranking index declined to among the worst nations globally.
In celebrating his supposed successful three years in office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu listed some achievements in the agricultural sector, firstly, his declaration of emergency on food security in July 2023, followed by the acquisition of 2,000 tractors and 9,000 farming implements, stated as Nigeria's largest agricultural mechanisation programme.
Yet the outcome of this has been the opposite. Nigeria's hunger index has worsened significantly. Nigeria's hunger index ranking was 103rd out of 123 countries surveyed in 2022/2023, and this figure had since worsened to 115th out of 123 countries surveyed in 2025/2026. Consequently, Nigeria is now classified among the world's most hungry or food-insecure nations in the world, with the World Bank forecasting that 33 million Nigerians could experience severe hunger.
In fact, Nigeria has the highest number of hungry people in the world.
I have always maintained that Nigeria have no reason to be seen among the hungriest nations in the world when we have fast, uncultivated land in the north, which is our greatest asset today.
We must transparently invest in Agricultural production, which will guarantee food security, but create huge employment.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Bayo Onanuga is right. Peter Obi did not forfeit $460,000 proceeds from illicit drugs to the U.S Government. His name is not on any FBI nor DEA file. Only a Bola could graduate from high school before the school was ever founded.
So yeah, Peter Obi can never be on the same level with Tinubu. Only Asiwaju could graduate with first-class & work for Deloittes & Mobil.
I was deeply honoured to host a high-powered solidarity visit from the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum at my residence in Abuja.
The delegation was led by Dr. S. N. Okeke, Chairman of the Ohanaeze Council of Elders for the 19 States and the FCT, alongside former Governor of Enugu State, Okwesilieze Nwodo. The elders expressed strong appreciation for the growing and cordial partnership between myself and His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). They pledged their unwavering support for the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket and assured the movement of massive electoral backing across the South-East and the wider Southern region.
In my response, I thanked the delegation for their visit and for the opportunity to exchange views on the state of the nation. Reflecting on the historic North-South East political dynamics, I expressed delight at the excellent and productive relationship I continue to enjoy with HE Peter Obi. I also reaffirmed my total commitment to the OK Movement and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emphasising our resolute determination to deliver victory for the party in the upcoming elections. - RMK
In continuation of my quest to deepen knowledge and impact positively on our society, yesterday June 10th, in London, I held a series of important engagements, including a fruitful meeting with Alex Vines, Director of the Africa Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
Our discussions focused on strengthening strategic relationships and fostering a deeper understanding of Africa’s evolving role in global affairs. It was emphasized that Africa must no longer be viewed merely through the prism of statistics or humanitarian concern, but as a serious and equal partner in shaping the future global order, much like India, Indonesia, and other emerging centres of influence.
During our engagement, it became increasingly clear that Africa, and Nigeria in particular, must be placed at the centre of international conversations on partnership, trade, governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
Constructive dialogue and mutual respect remain essential to building meaningful cooperation between Africa and the international community.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Sad: Our Children Are Now Pawns in a Deadly Ransom Economy
It’s heartbreaking to report yet another bandit attack on a school, barely three weeks after over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted and are still languishing in the forest.
The security situation in Kogi State has taken another tragic turn with a brutal bandit attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu LGA. Armed bandits disguised in military uniforms invaded the school during an ongoing WAEC examination, killed the Vice Principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and attempted a mass abduction of students.
Reports from the scene indicate that local security personnel and vigilantes actively resisted the attackers and frustrated their abduction attempt.
Making educational institutions soft targets is a direct assault on the nation’s future. It creates a psychological barrier to school enrolment and worsens Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, disproportionately forcing young girls out of formal education due to fear. There is nothing more heartbreaking for a nation than being unable to protect its children.
My heartfelt condolences go to the family of the Vice Principal, who lost his life while gallantly defending the children entrusted to his care. May God grant his soul eternal repose.-PO
On the other hand, while I understand the party has to reward its long-term members, I don't see how it makes any sense to appoint someone as director of new media who has said such horrible things in the past about your presidential candidate.
These are not just posts made merely to demarket a person; these are very vile and image damaging posts.
So he doesn't mind working with IPOB members now? Members of a proscribed terrorist group? Is this what @NigeriaNDCHQ stands for?
Exponential increase in revenue with excessive borrowing: Yet more hardship for Nigerians!
In celebrating three years of his administration, President Bola Tinubu included, among his achievements, an increase in revenue from N16.8 trillion in 2022 to N35 trillion in 2025. An increase of over 100%.
Shockingly, while Nigerians expected a reduction in borrowing with the exponential increase in revenue, the opposite is the case. In just three years, President Bola Tinubu’s government seems to be obsessed with excessive and imprudent borrowing, with our total debt currently about N200 trillion—a deeply disturbing increase of over N100 trillion.
In addition to the exponential increases in both revenue and debt, it is also important to note that Nigeria has earned far more than the budget revenue targets due to global and regional geoeconomic and political tensions.
Alarmingly, even with the astronomical increase in both revenue and debt, almost all key socio-economic and governance indicators are worse than in 2023. Multi-dimensional poverty has increased from 87 million people in 2023 to over 140 million people in 2025. Rapidly increasing unemployment and a decline in GDP per capita from $1,597 in 2023 to $1,223 in 2025, and the list goes on.
Just more and more hardship for Nigerians! The question Nigerians and even the international community are asking is, “Where did all the money go?”
Nigerians deserve a detailed and transparent explanation of what happened to our economy and financial resources since 2023, and a stop to the imprudent, unaccountable, and opaque management of our common patrimony.
A new and productive Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK! -PO
“Kenneth Okonkwo lied. I never told him Peter Obi asked us (NDC southeastern HoR aspirants) to pay N10 million to fund his 2027 Presidential campaign”
—Ogbunike Ohaegbu, clarifies position on NDC primaries & fraud allegations.
Me: again, it’s high time Obi sued Kenneth Okonkwo.
I just received the sad news of the train derailment along the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor in Delta State.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate mishap, and I pray for the quick recovery of those injured.
I urge the relevant authorities to investigate the immediate and remote causes of this derailment swiftly, ensure full accountability, and implement measures to restore public confidence in our rail systems. -PO
Excessive Borrowing Without Accountability: Further Affirmation of Imprudent Governance.
President Bola Tinubu's administration has engaged in remarkably imprudent borrowing, escalating Nigeria's total debt to approximately N200 trillion. This represents an increase of over N100 trillion within a mere three years, a stark contrast to the roughly N49 trillion accumulated during President Muhammadu Buhari's eight-year tenure, which would have projected to around N80 trillion. As millions of Nigerians grapple with the shock of this unsustainable debt accumulation, the situation is exacerbated by the government's reckless approach to borrowing and a profound absence of accountability and transparency in the utilisation of these funds.
For instance, data from the Federation's Budget Office reveals that the Bola Tinubu government borrowed N11.89 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025 (January to September), exceeding the planned borrowing target of N10.34 trillion by approximately N1.54 trillion. Under a responsible and accountable government, such an overshoot would necessitate rigorous scrutiny and explanation from relevant governmental bodies. Regrettably, this is not the reality under the current administration.
Compounding this issue, only N3.10 trillion of the borrowed funds was allocated to capital expenditure during the same January-September 2025 period. This constitutes a mere 17.66% of the N17.58 trillion earmarked for capital projects, leaving a deficit of roughly N14.48 trillion, or 82.34% of planned capital expenditure unfunded.
The most disturbing aspect of the financial management fiasco under Bola Tinubu is that there is no explanation or information regarding how the balance was utilised or deployed. The question that Nigerians are rightly asking and deserve an answer to is what happened to the balance? Was it deployed for recurrent expenditure/ consumption, for the entertainment of guests to Aso Rock or transferred to the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027 Election Campaign Fund? Nigerians deserve an answer on how our economy and resources are most unpatriotically managed.
A New and Productive Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK!
-PO