Debunking the Phantom Debts and Ecological Loan Fallacy
My attention has been drawn to trending claims by the Anambra State Government that my administration left behind inherited debts, including a ₦2 billion ecological loan, contractor liabilities, and unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions. This is completely false.
We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over ₦35 billion. At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified.
The ₦2 billion ecological fund in question was released barely three months before the end of my tenure for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis. Despite pressure to spend the money, I refused, insisting that it should be left for my successor because government is a continuum and the funds were tied to a specific project.
The money was therefore left 100 per cent intact in First Bank, in Account No. 2018779464, with a balance of over ₦2.13 billion.
It is important to stress that funds tied to specific projects or set aside for particular purposes were not even included in the over ₦75 billion in savings we left behind.
If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning. -PO
Earlier today, while in New York, I joined in prayers and a service of remembrance to honour the innocent lives lost on September 11, 2001.
Twenty-five years later, the pain of that tragic day remains deeply felt by the families who lost loved ones and by a nation that has continued to carry their memory.
We also honour the extraordinary courage of the firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary citizens who ran towards danger to save others. Their selflessness remains a powerful reminder of the courage and goodness that humanity is capable of, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Beyond nationality, race, religion, or political differences, there is a fundamental truth that binds us all: human life is sacred, and our shared humanity must unite us, especially in our darkest moments.
To every family still carrying the pain and memory of a loved one lost that day, and to the American people, I extend my heartfelt sympathy, prayers, and solidarity.
May the souls of all those who lost their lives continue to rest in peace. May their memory inspire us to work towards a world where peace, compassion, justice, and respect for human life prevail over hatred and terror.
We remember. We honour. We will never forget.
Thereafter I continued with my high level meetings which just ended now.
We remain prayerful to God Almighty for a peaceful world. -PO
By Making Excuses for Unverified Certificates, We Are Planting Poison in the Soul of Our Society
A nation that tolerates unverified academic credentials at any level of leadership, regardless of who is involved, risks destroying the very standards upon which a society is built. The issue is not about an individual. It is about standards, accountability, and the values we choose to pass on to the next generation.
We cannot continue to excuse blurred, missing, questionable, or unverified credentials simply because they belong to someone we support. The process through which people attain positions of responsibility matters greatly. How we get into leadership is as important as what we do with leadership.
If we normalise the abandonment of basic verification today, tomorrow we may have professors who never attended a university, doctors who never studied medicine, and judges who never studied law.
That is the dangerous precedent we must never allow. Nigeria cannot sacrifice its future on the altar of today's transactional politics. We must build a society where truth is not partisan, standards are not negotiable, and accountability applies equally to everyone.
History will judge us not only by those we defended, but by the principles we were willing to defend. We must choose truth over convenience, standards over sentiments, and the future over political expediency.
A New Nigeria is possible, but only if we are willing to do the right thing, even when it is inconvenient. -PO
I have followed with deep concern the developments surrounding the reported freezing of the bank accounts of the Osun State Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), coming just days before the governorship election.
Let me reiterate that I have always supported a relentless fight against corruption. However, that fight must never become a tool for political intimidation or the suppression of democracy. No institution, however important, should be used in a manner that creates the impression of influencing the electoral process.
The timing of this action raises legitimate questions. If investigations had been ongoing for months, why take such a drastic step on the eve of an election? In a democracy, institutions must not only be impartial but must also be seen to be impartial.
What is increasingly troubling is the growing perception that state institutions are being deployed to achieve political ends and secure power at all costs. This is dangerous for our democracy. Governments come and go, but once institutions lose their independence and credibility, the nation suffers.
If there is evidence of wrongdoing, the Constitution provides a clear path: seek the appropriate orders from a competent court. Due process is the foundation of justice. No agency should exercise powers beyond those granted by law.
I call on all relevant authorities to act strictly within the Constitution and ensure that nothing undermines the credibility of the Osun Governorship Election. The people of Osun must be allowed to freely determine their future through the ballot, without intimidation or institutional interference.
Nigeria’s democracy was built on sacrifice. We must not allow it to be weakened by the misuse of institutions or the pursuit of political advantage.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
A Birthday Made Brighter by the Bravery of Our Troops at FGGC Monguno, Borno
I wish to extend my profound appreciation and highest commendation to the gallant members of our Armed Forces who successfully thwarted a grave kidnapping attempt at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State, in the early hours of today, July 19, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m.
Their prompt, decisive, and courageous intervention prevented what could have been a devastating national tragedy and saved many innocent students from the trauma of abduction. This act of bravery underscores the remarkable capability, resilience, and patriotism that our security personnel demonstrate when properly supported and equipped.
Educational institutions must remain safe havens for learning and development, not targets for criminal elements. Every Nigerian child deserves the opportunity to pursue education without the fear of abduction or violence.
While we celebrate this successful operation, it also reminds us of the urgent need to move beyond a reactive security posture towards a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach. Our security agencies must be provided with the necessary resources, motivation, and modern technology to detect and prevent threats before they occur.
My sincere gratitude goes to our troops for their dedication, courage, and sacrifice. My thoughts are with the students, their families, and the entire FGGC Monguno community.
As I mark my birthday today, this successful rescue effort is a gift that gladdens my heart — a reminder that, despite our challenges, there are still men and women who stand daily in defence of our nation and its future.
We must continue to support them and remain united in our collective pursuit of a safer and more secure Nigeria. -PO
Nigeria in Focus at the ECFR Berlin Roundtable.
Yesterday, at the invitation of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), I had the honour of participating in a high-level roundtable discussion titled “Nigeria in 2027 and Beyond,” held at the ECFR office in Berlin, Germany.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders, representatives of international organisations, and members of the international media to discuss Nigeria’s future and its role in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
Our discussions centred on Nigeria’s democratic journey beyond 2027, international affairs, development cooperation, and the need to strengthen bilateral partnerships that can accelerate economic growth and improve the lives of our people. A key focus of the engagement was how Nigeria can deepen collaboration with international partners to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), recognising that they remain the backbone of every productive economy and are indispensable to job creation, innovation, wealth creation, and sustainable national development.
We also exchanged views on strengthening democratic institutions, expanding trade and investment opportunities, promoting regional stability, improving governance, and creating an enabling environment that inspires confidence among citizens, investors, and Nigeria’s international partners.
I was encouraged by the thoughtful contributions and genuine interest demonstrated by participants in Nigeria’s future. The presence of senior representatives from the German Federal Government, development agencies, business associations, policy institutes, foundations, international organisations, and respected global media organisations underscores the strategic importance of Nigeria and the shared desire to see our nation realise its enormous potential.
During the discussions, I reiterated my unwavering belief that Nigeria possesses all the human and natural resources required to become a prosperous, secure, and globally competitive nation. What is required is competent, accountable, and compassionate leadership that prioritises investment in people, education, healthcare, productive enterprise, the rule of law, and strong institutions over politics of consumption.
Nigeria’s future is bright, but only if we make the deliberate choices that will move our country from consumption to production, from poverty to prosperity, and from division to unity. By embracing good governance, fiscal responsibility, and productive partnerships with the international community, we can build an economy that works for all Nigerians and restores our nation’s standing among the comity of nations.
I sincerely thank the European Council on Foreign Relations for the invitation and all participants for a frank, engaging, and constructive exchange of ideas. Conversations such as these remain vital in fostering mutual understanding, strengthening international cooperation, and building enduring partnerships for the benefit of Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.
A New Nigeria Is POssible. - PO
@ose_anenih When postulating with an incorrect data, the wrong conclusion is usually reached. The data from the 2023 elections is wrong and can’t be used. We all wished the opposition stayed together, however Tinubu winning without the Buhari factor would be a hard one.
"Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others change their principles for the sake of their party." Winston Churchill
Today, May 9th, I attended the 1st convention of my latest party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja, Nigeria. The convention was successful and continued to show the resilience of Nigerians to change
I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the NDC family, led by the distinguished Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, for inviting us and for the generosity of spirit with which they have accommodated us at this critical moment in our national journey.
I also wish to express profound gratitude to the African Democratic Congress(ADC), particularly Distinguished Senator David Mark, for providing a democratic platform and showing uncommon understanding when the ongoing litigation forced us out of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People's Party, NNPP respectively. That spirit of solidarity must remain the foundation upon which a better Nigeria will be built.
Today, the most painful aspect of our political existence is that many who once benefited from democratic governance have now become willing accessories to the destruction of democracy itself. Those who once fought for justice now openly celebrate electoral injustice. Those who once spoke against impunity now defend coercion, manipulation, intimidation, and outright political gangsterism, especially against opposition voices. What we are witnessing is not politics; it is a systematic assault on democracy and the will of the people.
Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads. Our democracy is under severe threat. Our nation is drifting without direction, and our people are passing through immense suffering. Across the world, Nigeria is increasingly described as a failing and disgraced nation. This is not the destiny God ordained for our great country. It was not always so, and it must never be allowed to remain so.
Across virtually every recognised indicator of good governance - accountability, political stability, rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and the separation of powers - Nigeria continues to record alarming failures. The institutions that should protect the people are weakening daily, while the burden on ordinary citizens grows heavier with each passing moment.
Today, over 140 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Tens of millions of young people remain unemployed or underemployed. Inflation continues to crush families. Businesses are shutting down. Farmers can no longer safely access their farms. Communities live in fear. In this month alone, hundreds of innocent Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity, while many others have been kidnapped, displaced, or thrown deeper into poverty.
The most heartbreaking question confronting us is this: Who consoles the grieving mother whose child was abducted on the way to school? Who speaks for the father who can no longer feed his family despite working every day? Who defends the young Nigerian whose dreams have been destroyed by a nation that rewards connections over competence and corruption over character?
Our present tragedy is not accidental. It is the direct consequence of years of deliberate sabotage by a political class that prospers by dividing the people and weakening the nation. Nigeria is not a poor country; rather, we are being looted into poverty. We have abundant human and natural resources, yet we remain trapped in deprivation because leadership has failed to place the common good above personal interest.
Our choice as a people is therefore clear: whether to surrender to despair and national decline, or to summon the courage to rescue our country and rebuild it on the foundations of unity, equity, justice, competence, and productivity.
PVC is the bridge to a New Nigeria
Today, I want to plead with every Nigerian, young and old to heed this call to action.
The future of our dear nation is in your hands. The greatest strength of democracy is in the voter’s card. Your PVC is the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor for a better life, against injustice and bad leadership. I appeal to every Nigerian: Get Organised and Make Election Rigging Difficult. Go out, register, collect your PVC, and hold it firmly as your bridge to a new Nigeria.
Let us know this: those who buy votes are not offering you charity; they only invest in their own corruption. They buy votes so that they can buy their way into our treasury to steal public money. When they get into that office, they will loot the funds that should have been used to build schools, hospitals or provide good jobs. Such people are not leaders, they are criminals in disguise. They are no better than killers, armed robbers, and kidnappers, because they commit the same crime of destruction.
To those who sell their votes, you are not just selling an election, you are selling the very opportunities that would have lifted you and your family out of poverty. You are selling the schools that your children should have attended, the hospitals that should save your loved ones and the jobs that would have given you dignity and a better life. Those who buy your vote are only buying it to make a profit from the seat of power, not to serve you.
The power to change this country is in your hands, the looters will only loot when we give them the opportunity. Your vote counts, if it doesn’t, they would not be desperately buying that vote.
Every Nigerian must rise and take responsibility for building the nation we dream of.
Our democracy is at stake. That is why I urge every eligible Nigerian to register, collect, and safeguard your PVC, and when the time comes, use it wisely. Vote for leaders of competence, character, capacity, and compassion. Leaders who will put you first. Do not be intimidated, do not be deceived, and do not be bought.
Let us stand together and prove that Nigeria belongs to the people, not to those who trade our future for their selfish gain.
Register to vote, because a new Nigeria starts with you.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO