“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1.
Today, I met with the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC House of Assembly candidates across Delta State. Our deliberations were robust, simple, and practical, focusing on strengthening our party at the grassroots, understanding the needs of each constituency, and building a coordinated campaign that places the people first.
I must say that I was greatly encouraged by the quality, passion, and commitment of our candidates. They are men who understand their communities and are prepared to provide effective representation for their people.
Our goal is clear: to work as one team, speak with one voice, and build a movement strong enough to deliver the better future Deltans deserve. We are not gathering merely to contest elections; we are laying the foundation for purposeful leadership, accountable representation, and lasting development across Delta State.
With God guiding us and the people standing with us, we will build a new Delta State together.
#NDC #DCI27 #Deltastate #DeltaisOk #NigeriaisOK
“I was among the beneficiaries of Mr Peter Obi’s agricultural loan scheme in Anambra State back then. I received ₦10 million, such amount of money is equivalent to about ₦100 million in today’s value. This commissioner here led the disbursement of the loans. There was no discrimination between indigenous people and those who relocated to the state.”
— Chairman of the Northern Community in Anambra State, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, recounts how they benefited from the agricultural loan scheme when NDC presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, was governor of Anambra State.
Today, on International Youth Day, we celebrate the energy, creativity, courage, and determination of young people across Delta State and Nigeria.
Our young people are not asking for favours. They are asking for quality education, practical skills, decent jobs, access to finance, and a fair opportunity to build a better future. They deserve a government that listens to them, invests in their ideas, and creates an environment where hard work can lead to real progress.
The future of Delta State rests heavily on what we do for our young people today. We must move beyond temporary empowerment programmes and build lasting opportunities that allow every young person to learn, work, create, and prosper.
Happy International Youth Day to every young Deltan. Your dreams are valid, your voice matters, and your time is now.
#InternationalYouthDay #NDC #DCI27 #DeltaState #DeltaIsOk #NigeriaIsOK
Yesterday, I was in Bauchi to honour, for the fifth time, the invitation of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to its dialogue themed: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
I thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his selfless sacrifice and unwavering commitment to building a better Nigeria and a better Africa. I also commend the Chairman, President Olusegun Obasanjo, for his enduring contributions to peace, unity and justice across Africa. My appreciation also goes to the host, the Governor of Bauchi State, for his good work and for providing the platform for this important conversation.
My modest contribution at the event was to highlight my concern that African democracy, using Nigeria as a case study, has deteriorated to such an extent that we are approaching a point where we may no longer be able to meaningfully say that democracy exists.
I recalled how I approached the courts when I believed my mandate had been stolen in Anambra. At that time, the judiciary demonstrated the independence expected of an arm of government. It upheld the law and restored the will of the people, without any relationship whatsoever between me and the judges who handled the matter. That was democracy at work.
Today, however, those who break the law are often the first to tell you to “go to court.”
Our electoral management body, staffed by highly educated Nigerians, including many professors, is increasingly accused of enabling electoral malpractice and the emergence of people who are not qualified or do not possess the mandate of the people. Our lawmakers have removed forgery as an electoral offence, while some senior advocates appear to defend or normalise actions that should ordinarily attract condemnation. Our religious leaders sometimes pray for blessings upon political actors accused of misappropriating the commonwealth. And, most troubling of all, we now hear allegations of judges chanting, “On your mandate we shall stand.”
When the very institutions established to protect democracy begin to accommodate its destruction, we must stop pretending that everything is normal.
I earnestly call for sober reflection and honest thinking. Socrates said that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” A nation, too, must examine itself if it intends to survive.
We must halt this drift towards institutional decay and redirect our attention towards building a country that we and the generations that come after us, can be proud of.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
My Salute to the young on International Youth Day.
Today, as we celebrate International Youth Day, I salute the courage, creativity, energy, and enormous potential of our young people. They are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are the greatest asset of our country today.
Yesterday, while travelling to Bauchi, I was reminded once again of what our youths are capable of. The two captains who flew us were young men of 20 and 28 years respectively, while the crew members were also in their 20s. Their competence, confidence, and professionalism were a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to excellence when young people are allowed to learn, work, and lead.
Across football, technology, medicine, aviation, entrepreneurship, academia, the creative industries, and countless other fields, our young people continue to demonstrate that Nigeria has no shortage of talent. What we lack is the deliberate investment and enabling environment to help that talent flourish.
We must therefore invest more in quality education, skills, healthcare, technology, sports, and decent employment. We must create a country where a young Nigerian does not have to leave Nigeria to fulfil his or her potential.
Our youths are not a burden to be managed. They are our greatest national asset and the builders of the Nigeria we desire.
On this International Youth Day, I celebrate our young people and reaffirm my commitment to a Nigeria where every young person has the opportunity to learn, work, create, lead, and prosper.
With the support and active participation of the youth, a new Nigeria is possible.
Happy International Youth Day! -PO
Nigerian businesswoman was left flabbergasted after receiving a ₦75 MILLION bill from the ITF over a business she started while in 300 level.
She questioned what the agency or Nigerian government had actually done to support her business for her to deserve such a crazy bill. 😭
UPDATE: Since January 2024, Reymond Uchechi Eze (alias Lion Heart) has been in detention without trial.
He was abducted at a location in Lagos under circumstances that raised suspicions of insider betrayal or frame-up.
I’ve been fighting for him in court (see attached), with the critical support of some of the faithful and loyal.
Some progress has been made, but it’s not enough. So, I decided to make it public in the hope that it will bring some reprieve, some quick justice.
Share this till it reaches the authorities and prompts them to #FreeReymondEze, or bring him before a court.
THANK YOU.