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
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
This evening, it was a pleasure to receive His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and senior officials of the NDC at my residence, where they were welcomed by me and some members of the National Working Committee.
The meeting was part of my ongoing mediatory efforts aimed at ensuring that our party officials in Kano state and the leader of the party in the state, who is also our Vice Presidential candidate, remain on the same page at this critical moment in the life of our party.
The NDC is fast emerging as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, and as with every growing political movement, disagreements and clashes of interest are inevitable. We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation, and reconciliation. That is what I have been doing, not only in Kano State but across the nation for the past months.
At no time have we imposed candidates on any state, not even in my home state of Bayelsa. We have consistently allowed democratic processes to play themselves out, despite the imperfections and difficulties that naturally arise.
We had fruitful deliberations, and I am confident that, with goodwill and our collective commitment, all parties will continue to work together harmoniously as we pursue victory for our party and its candidates.
His Excellency Senator Kwankwaso and I share a long history of collaboration dating back to our days in the PDP, when we both served as governors, and continuing to the present day. Over the years, we have maintained a close relationship, regularly visiting one another, sharing confidences, discussing national issues, and planning political engagements. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the interest of the NDC and the nation.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement, the Obidient Movement and other support groups remain valuable mobilization networks. I had earlier recieved a courtesy delegation some weeks ago by the Obidient Movement and promised to ensure their integration into the activities of our party at various levels across the country; and the same for the Kwankwasiyya movement which I have asked for their list of coordinators to be forwarded to the party for the same purpose. This process will be undertaken in a structured and orderly manner.
Everyone is welcome in the NDC, and we deeply appreciate the support, commitment, and participation of all our members, stakeholders, support groups, and volunteers. We remain committed to working with all who share our vision while continuing to build the NDC as a strong, disciplined, and enduring political institution bigger than any of its members.
~HSD
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
I have noted with grave concern the escalating wave of insecurity that has engulfed our beloved nation. Once again, Nigeria is bleeding profusely. From Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kwara to Oyo and several other parts of the country, our citizens can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.
Banditry, kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, communal clashes, and armed robbery have tragically become daily occurrences. What is most alarming is the audacity of these criminals, who now brazenly hold live sessions on social media to taunt the authorities and terrorise the public.
This is totally unacceptable and not befitting of a sovereign nation like ours.
As someone who has served this country at various levels, including as Governor of Kano State and Minister of Defence, where we confronted and significantly reduced security challenges through decisive leadership and community engagement, I remain convinced that insecurity is not insurmountable. What we lack today is not resources, but the requisite political will and sincerity to confront this menace head-on.
The current approach has clearly failed. Despite massive budgetary allocations to the security sector, the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly. Innocent lives are being lost daily, families are displaced in their thousands, and our economy is suffocating under the heavy weight of fear and instability.
We cannot continue on this dangerous path. Nigeria’s security architecture requires an urgent and comprehensive overhaul.
Additionally, to safeguard our socioeconomic wellbeing, the government must prioritise the provision of quality education, modern infrastructure, accessible healthcare, reliable electricity supply, and essential agricultural inputs. This approach will strengthen local food production and reduce over-reliance on imports for food security.
We must immediately prioritise the welfare and motivation of our gallant security personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance community policing, and, most crucially, tackle the root causes of this crisis; poverty, mass unemployment, and poor governance through massive investment in quality education, skills acquisition, and job creation for our teeming youth. - RMK
This evening, I hosted a highly productive meeting with the NDC candidates from Kogi State at my residence in Abuja.
We had robust deliberations on the way forward and concrete strategies for our collective victory. - RMK
My purpose in the game is fulfilled ⭐️
I lived out my childhood dreams, played on the biggest stages, won the biggest trophies. Grateful to God for all of it.
To all my fans, the clubs, my teammates and my family: this will forever be ours. Thank you.
The mission is complete. Now I step into my next calling.
More of the journey to come.
Love,
Divock Origi
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, on Saturday.
Alhaji Getso served with distinction as Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) and Managing Director of Radio Kano during my two terms as Governor of Kano State.
A seasoned broadcaster and accomplished media professional, his immense contributions to public communication, media development, and the overall progress of Kano State will be remembered for generations.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the people of Getso in Gwarzo Local Government, the entire Kano State, and the broader media community on this profound loss. May Allah grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannah and grant his loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. - RMK