Today, I joined our presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, alongside other NDC candidates and party members at the Obi–Kwankwaso Town Hall Meeting in Kaduna.
The gathering provided a valuable platform for Nigerians to engage directly with the candidates, ask questions, and share their views on the issues that matter most to their lives and communities.
In my remarks, I expressed appreciation to the NDC leadership, fellow candidates, and the many Nigerians who attended. I highlighted the urgent need for a renewed focus on security, quality education, and meaningful opportunities that enable ordinary citizens to improve their lives.
I also emphasised the importance of building a Nigeria where every child has the opportunity to succeed and become somebody, regardless of family background, wealth, or connections. - RMK
OBI/KWANKWASO TALKS NIGERIA, THE KADUNA TOWNHALL
Yesterday, after my visit to the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna, I joined my running mate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and candidates of our party for an interactive town hall meeting organised by the party.
The town hall, which is a continuation of our series of engagements with citizens following the one we recently held in Port Harcourt, again afforded us the opportunity to interact directly with our fellow citizens, listen to their concerns, answer their questions and hear their contributions on the critical issues facing our country today.
Our response was to reassure our dear compatriots of our commitment to uniting our nation, pulling our people out of poverty, investing in healthcare and education, and aggressively tackling insecurity, so that our people can safely return to their homes, communities and farms.
We also spoke about the need to address the endemic corruption and inefficiencies in the fuel subsidy regime, reduce the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians, and create an economy that supports our citizens to live decent and dignified lives in their own country.
Let me use this opportunity once again to call on our opponents to also speak directly with the people and listen to their feedback. The very essence of democracy is people-centred governance. Leaders and aspiring leaders must therefore leave their comfort zones and interface directly with the people they seek to serve.
I thank our party leadership and the organisers of this town hall for a job well done, and I congratulate the good people of Kaduna State for their renewed commitment to supporting a leadership that listens to and respects their concerns.
A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO
I arrived in Abuja from London this morning, thanks to Air Peace Airlines, whose flight arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule. From Abuja, I proceeded immediately to Kaduna.
Upon my arrival, I visited the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute, Rigachikun, Kaduna State, an institution I had visited twice in the past and supported in my little way.
I was very impressed by the level of progress the institution has made, particularly its approach to blending Islamic education with STEM subjects. This is the kind of holistic education that can equip our young people with both strong values and the knowledge and skills required to thrive in today’s world.
My commitment remains to investing in education and healthcare, developing our human capital, creating opportunities, and lifting our people out of poverty. Every Nigerian, regardless of religion, ethnicity, region, or political affiliation, deserves to feel that this country belongs to them.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Etsako Youths Under the leadership of @mrUmanu_Elijah are taking the message to every APC STRONG HOLDS in Edo State.
2.5m for APC in a day is a dead dream by @m_akpakomiza Okpobolo.
Today in London, I continued consultations centered on Nigeria's future with some shareholders.
Our conversations centered on economic partnerships, strengthening institutional frameworks, and unlocking potential locked within Nigeria's vibrant youth demographic.
A recurring theme in all my discussions was the urgent necessity of transforming Nigeria from a consumer economy into a productive economy. This structural shift relies entirely on intentional investments in human capital—specifically health, education, and enterprise. We must forge a society where merit, integrity, and competence are celebrated and rewarded, leaving behind the era of nepotism and compromise.
While our current challenges are profound, they pale in comparison to the boundless resilience and determination of our people.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
WARRI: WE WALKED THROUGH THE FEAR
Yesterday in Warri, Delta State, I witnessed something that I will not easily forget.
I travelled to Warri to honour the invitation for the One Million-Man March for Obi-Kwankwaso, alongside other committed Obidient leaders and in the company of the NDC governorship candidate in Delta State, and many other Nigerians who came simply because they believe that a new Delta and a new Nigeria are possible.
We set out peacefully. There were no guns in our hands. No knives. No stones. No weapons. We were walking. We were chanting. We were engaging people. We were exercising what should be one of the most basic rights in any democracy, the right of citizens to peacefully express their political choice. And then, suddenly, everything changed. I saw them myself, Men came out carrying sticks, stones and knives. I saw the aggression. I saw the attempt to intimidate us. And, most frighteningly, I personally witnessed firearms being pointed in our direction and shots being fired. This was not something I heard from somebody. I was there. I was standing there. I saw it happen. We captured it on videos including images of individuals carrying firearms. The attackers are APC political sponsored.
But there is another moment from today that I will never forget. In the midst of the confusion, Dcn Chris, the NDC governorship candidate, stood beside me. He looked at me and, with the reality of the danger before us, said words to the effect of: “If we die today, we will die. But we are not retreating. We will march till the end.” Those words were not spoken from a comfortable office. They were spoken while danger was right in front of us. And we did exactly what we said we would do. We marched. We did not retreat. We did not abandon the people who came out with us. We did not allow fear to determine whether citizens would exercise their democratic rights. And something remarkable happened.nThe people stood together.
Mama P, Amb. Young Peiro and others refused to give up. The Kwankwasiyya and Obidient family stood firm. The NDC family stood firm. People who came to march peacefully found courage in one another. And eventually, those who came to intimidate and disrupt the march were pushed back. That moment taught me something profound. The greatest weapon of tyranny is fear. And the moment ordinary people refuse to be ruled by fear, tyranny begins to lose its power.
What happened in Warri is therefore not merely about a political rally. It is a reflection of the dangerous level to which our politics has descended when political disagreement can be met with sticks, knives and firearms. It is a reflection of a system in which some people appear to believe that the easiest way to defeat an idea is to attack the people carrying it. But they have misunderstood the people. You can frighten some people. You can scatter a crowd. You can threaten individuals. But you cannot permanently intimidate a people who have discovered that their collective voice is more powerful than the instruments of fear.
Yesterday, I saw that power. I saw it in Warri. And I saw something else: the enormous strength that emerges when the opposition decides that it will not merely complain about the state of the country, but will stand together, organise and confront the forces trying to silence peaceful political participation. This is why the events of today must not be reduced to a fight between political groups.
The bigger question is: What kind of Nigeria are we building? A Nigeria where citizens need protection from political thugs before they can march? A Nigeria where political competition becomes a contest of intimidation? Or a Nigeria where ideas confront ideas, candidates confront candidates, and ultimately the people decide through their votes? I choose the latter. And that is why we must not respond to violence by becoming violent ourselves.
The Stage Is Set 🔥🔥🔥
Nigeria’s Next President HE Peter Obi, and His Vice HE Rabiu Kwankwaso will be live today in Kaduna for a Townhall different from Bulaba.😄
Let see if Kaduna can match Port Harcourt’s Energy ✌🏾✌🏾
In the course of my engagements with Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, many of them have sought my opinion on investing in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering.
While encouraging them to buy, I must say that I remain very proud of the commitment and breakthrough of Alhaji Aliko Dangote's investment in the real sector of our country’s economy, across different sectors. This validates my position that we should move Nigeria from consumption to production.
I, therefore, encourage other Nigerian businesses to invest in the productive sectors of the Nigerian economy and also give fellow Nigerian citizens the opportunity to be part of the re-industrialization of the country by offering their shares to the public through public offerings. -PO
No Objection to Legitimate Scrutiny of My Certificates
My attention has been drawn to reports circulating on social media concerning a legal action by an individual or group seeking Certified True Copies (CTCs) of my Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, awarded to me in 1984 by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as other academic records and credentials relating to my admission into the University.
I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records.
I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University. I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, particularly for those who seek the privilege of public office. Public scrutiny must, however, be fair, lawful, and applied consistently to everyone who seeks to lead our nation.
As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record. I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country. Those who seek to lead must be willing to demonstrate, through both their words and actions, that they have nothing to conceal from the people they aspire to serve.
In that same spirit, I encourage every presidential candidate to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for legitimate public scrutiny. Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them.
Leadership must reflect the values we expect from the society we hope to build. If we desire a Nigeria founded on transparency, integrity, accountability, and respect for institutions, those values must begin with those who seek to lead it.
I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
But Peter Obi get nerves ooo.
In 2023, a group of protestant bishops came to Peter Obi to campaign for him and the first thing Peter Obi told them was that,
He doesn't give shishi and anybody supporting him should not expect any bribe.
In 2027, the bishops made a U-turn and are now supporting Tinubu.
But what we don't know is if it was the same God that directed them to support Peter Obi in 2023, is Him also the same God asking them to support Tinubu now in 2027???
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
14 SEPTEMBER 2026
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AVOID PARTISAN LECTURERS AS RETURNING OFFICERS, ADC TELLS INEC
African Democratic Congress has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately review the use of politically exposed academics as Returning and Collation Officers in the 2027 general elections.
The ADC made the call following a newspaper report that more than 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The ADC said the development raises a fundamental question of electoral credibility and conflict of interest, particularly because university lecturers and vice chancellors have routinely been entrusted with the sensitive responsibility of collating election results and declaring winners.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including academics, to support or endorse any political candidate, the party said no person who has openly taken a partisan position should subsequently be entrusted with determining the outcome of an election involving that candidate.
The principle, the ADC said, is straightforward:
“You cannot campaign for a candidate and then be entrusted with counting the votes and declaring winners in the same election that your candidate is contesting in.”
The party, therefore, called on INEC to establish and publish clear criteria, disqualifying academics and other prospective election officials who have publicly endorsed candidates, participated in partisan political activities, or otherwise demonstrated an obvious political affiliation.
It also urged INEC to publish the names of proposed Returning and Collation Officers sufficiently ahead of the elections to allow political parties and the public to identify and raise legitimate conflict-of-interest concerns.
“The integrity of an election does not begin when the first ballot is cast. It begins with the neutrality of the people entrusted to administer, collate, and declare its outcome. Nigerians must never be placed in a position where those who have publicly chosen a side are subsequently presented as neutral arbiters of the contest,” the party said.
SIGNED:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi National Publicity Secretary African Democratic Congress
This is my @OjyOkpe appreciation tweet. Thank you for grilling my presidential candidate. You were professional, you didn’t give him an easy time and you asked the hard questions and ensured you got the answers needed to be heard by many and they got the answers.
This is what interviewing a presidential candidate should be like. Conversations about things that affect the people and not mundane conversations.
My presidential candidate lived up to expectations and he gave Nigerians a glimpse of what responsible and accountable leadership looks like. He showed for sure that he will not give kool aid treatment to national issues but will give the best way for the Nigerian masses rather than for a few.
Kudos to my presidential candidate @PeterObi
You did great sir!
The recent report that 97% of assessed Primary Healthcare Centres across 16 states failed to meet the national staffing standard is not merely a statistic; it can be extrapolated nationwide, where about 80% of PHCs are not functioning. It reflects a serious risk.
Health is the primary measure of development in any nation and forms the foundation of healthcare. A country cannot build a healthy, productive population if its Primary Healthcare Centres lack the necessary staff to care for the people.
Behind every understaffed PHC is a pregnant woman who might not receive timely care, and a child who could die from a preventable illness. That is why Nigeria is currently classified among the most challenging and poorest places to be born and to live.
Healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy. It is a basic responsibility of government. Progress is not best measured by flyovers, new bus stops, or airports that are rarely used. Instead, we should measure it by the number of lives saved, the number of operational health centres, the availability of qualified health workers, and the quality of care provided to ordinary Nigerians.
We cannot create a New Nigeria while allowing our people to die from issues that a functioning Primary Healthcare system should prevent. Our priorities must be clear: invest in our people, strengthen Primary Healthcare, recruit and retain essential health workers, and ensure every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, has access to quality, affordable healthcare.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
NDC Has No Shortage Of Governorship Candidates, Membership Is Growing By The Day - Umeh
When I came across a report claiming that the NDC did not have governorship candidates in 12 states of the federation, with Zamfara State among the states listed, I dismissed the claim. I am therefore pleased that Senator Dickson, the leader of the party, has made it clear that the NDC has governorship candidates across all 28 states. We also have candidates for all elective positions, demonstrating the party’s strong presence and growing political strength across the country.
Victor Umeh, Senator Representing Anambra Central