Dear Young Nigerians,
One lesson from the 2023 elections, particularly in Lagos, should never be forgotten.
In the period following the presidential election and leading up to the governorship election, we witnessed a troubling shift in public discourse. Conversations that should have focused on competence, governance, development, and the future of our nation were gradually diverted towards tribal sentiments, ethnic divisions, and unnecessary suspicion among citizens.
Many sincere and well-meaning Nigerians participated in these conversations without realising that they were being drawn into narratives carefully designed by others.
Throughout history, whenever politicians find it difficult to compete on ideas, performance, character, or vision, some resort to exploiting the fault lines of ethnicity, religion, and identity. Their calculation is simple: a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people.
Today, I see similar efforts emerging again, sometimes in more subtle and sophisticated ways. Narratives are planted, amplified, and circulated, often by individuals who genuinely believe they are defending a worthy cause, without recognizing the broader agenda behind such campaigns.
Let me state clearly that Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation. For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity. Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom, and grace.
At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them. The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation. It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms, and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires.
We must be careful not to become instruments in the hands of those who secretly nurture division while publicly preaching unity. In most cases, their target is not the individual being attacked; instead, it is the person who is attacking. Their real objective is to weaken the bonds that hold us together as one people and one nation.
I therefore urge all young Nigerians: do not allow anyone to recruit you into hatred. Do not allow anyone to weaponise your ethnicity, your faith, or your admiration for respected leaders.
Question every narrative. Verify every claim. Follow the facts. Resist manipulation.
The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Nigeria has a massive landmass of 923,768 square kilometres. Divided by our population of approximately 230 million, this results in about 4.00 square metres per person. The foregoing clearly illustrates that we have absolutely no justification for being among the world's hungriest nations.
Transitioning our nation from a state of consumption to one of production, through significant investments in agriculture, is the sole dependable strategy to escape the current depths of hunger and poverty. As I often emphasise, the uncultivated lands in our northern region represent our most substantial tangible assets. Transforming this sector is our direct pathway to prosperity.
ENERGY SECTOR
Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally. We currently generate and distribute a mere 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million. In contrast, comparable nations worldwide - including several African peers such as South Africa and Egypt - each generate and distribute over 40,000 MW, despite both countries having less than half of our population. This considerable power shortfall continues to cripple businesses, choke industries, and stall overall economic growth.
Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000 Mof W power increase generation and distribution.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT
Our large pool of talented youth remains largely unemployed. The current official unemployment rate of 4% grossly misrepresents the true situation; actual underemployment and unemployment in Nigeria exceeds 30%, with youth unemployment sitting at over 40% - among the highest globally, necessitating urgent intervention. We will address this by aggressively supporting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through targeted tax incentives, special interest rates, and accessible funding in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, sports, and distribution. These improvements will be both measurable and verifiable.
CORRUPTION AND GOVERNANCE COSTS
Nigerians will witness a tangible and verifiable reduction in corruption and the baseline costs associated with governance. Public resources will be managed with absolute transparency, prudence, and accountability to ensure that every naira spent yields demonstrable value for citizens.
RULE OF LAW
The rule of law will be fiercely upheld, and adherence to it will be sacrosanct for both government officials and citizens alike, strictly in accordance with our constitutional frameworks.
DEMOCRACY
Our democracy will exemplify true governance of the people, by the people, and for the people, completely free from interference by the ruling party. Instead, we will institutionalise deep respect for opposition parties and foster constructive engagement in governance.
Under my leadership, democracy will be pursued with integrity, fairness, and transparency.
Following this i will make democracy work and the Vice president will be partner not a spare tyres. I hereby accept my affirmation and nominate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso @KwankwasoRM as my Vice President.
May God bless you all, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Farmers must be able to return to their fields securely; students must be able to learn without fear; communities must be able to rest peacefully; and investors must regain their confidence in Nigeria.
Our strategy will be intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced, proactive, and community-focused. We will fortify our security institutions, enhance operational coordination, support our courageous personnel, and tackle the underlying causes of insecurity—name, ly poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation.
HEALTHCARE
Regarding health, Nigeria is currently ranked 157th globally, placing it in the lower echelon of healthcare worldwide. Primary healthcare, the cornerstone of our medical system, remains severely underfunctioning, al with only 10% to 20% of approximately 30,000 primary healthcare centres operational.
As a result, Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Furthermore, health insurance coverage in Nigeria hovers around a mere 10%, in stark contrast to countries like Indonesia, which boast over 90% coverage. This situation is regrettable.
I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20%.
Within these four years, we will increase our healthcare budget to a minimum of 10% of our GDP, up from the current level of below 5%. We will invest heavily in and support our healthcare institutions to ensure the massive training of our healthcare workers, including nurses and other professionals. We shall also adequately staff our medical facilities.
In four years, there will be a fully functional and properly managed primary healthcare centre in all 8,809 wards across the nation. By the conclusion of our term, Nigeria will ensure that at least 50% of its 30,000 primary healthcare centres are fully functional, properly manned, and dedicated to serving the populace.
EDUCATION
Education will remain at the forefront of our national revival, as no country can grow beyond its educational system. Nations that have transformed successfully have done so through sustained investment in human capital. Our children are not burdens; they represent our most valuable assets. We will invest heavily in schools, teachers, technology, and vocational training, ensuring that education equips our youth not only to seek employment but also to generate it. We must pivot Nigeria from a cycle of shared poverty to one of collective prosperity through knowledge, innovation, and productivity.
HUNGER AND AGRICULTURE
In 2023, when the present government took office, Nigeria ranked 109 out of 150 nations on the Global Hunger Index.
And by 2025, our ranking further plunged to 115th, placing us among the hungriest nations globally. Currently, the World Food Programme estimates that over 35 million Nigerians will face acute hunger and food insecurity this year. This is unconscionable, given our vast expanses of uncultivated land.
Rice remains the most consumed food in Nigeria. To illustrate our level of unproductivity, let us compare our capabilities with those of leading rice-producing nations. India is the largest producer of rice, yielding approximately 200 million tonnes of unmilled rice.
Bangladesh is the third largest producer, producing around 60 million tonnes of unskilled Rice, while Vietnam is the 5thproducinges about 42 million tonnes. Let us consider the land-to-population ratios:
India has a landmass of 3,287,263 square kilometres. Distributed across its population of 1.4 billion people, this equals roughly 2. 34 Square meter per person.
Bangladesh, with a landmass of around 148,460 square kilometres and a population of 170 million, has less than 1 square metres per person.
Vietnam’s landmass covers 331,000 square kilometres. Divided by a population of 102 million, it yields about 3.25 square metres per person.
It is my pleasure to announce that we have officially commissioned the landmark Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia, and it is now ready for public use. The project is a multimodal transport hub designed to accommodate more than 340 buses at once, powered by sustainable infrastructure and connected to our growing network of electric buses.
The facility is named in honour of Prof. Nnenna Nnennaya‑Oti, the courageous INEC Returning Officer in the 2023 governorship election, whose integrity and patriotism remind us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results by simply standing for the truth.
Her name on this terminal is not just about one person, but a tribute to all electoral officials, security operatives, party agents, and citizens who resisted intimidation and defended democracy.
With 20 electric buses already in operation and more on the way in the coming weeks, the project signals our bold vision for a modern, safe, and sustainable transport system in Abia. The facility is also supported with independent power and water systems to ensure uninterrupted operations.
In my address titled “Raising the Bar”, I stated unequivocally that we have moved beyond the era of small ambitions. We refuse to be boxed into margins that underestimate our strength. This principle underpins all our undertakings.
I extend special commendation to the contractors, Planet Projects Limited, for a job well done in delivering this landmark facility. I also appreciate the dedication of the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, the SSA Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwaogbe, and their team for the critical role they played in bringing this vision to reality.
I call on all residents and members of the host community to take ownership of this facility, to maintain a clean environment, and to guard against vandalism. This terminal belongs to you, and its success depends on your care. I also urge all Abians to pay their taxes regularly. Development cannot be sustained without collective responsibility, and every naira contributed helps us deliver the future our people deserve.
State visits by Leaders are not tourism, and diplomacy is not a fashion parade. Every foreign trip undertaken by a government must deliver measurable benefits to the people, including investments, technology transfer, trade agreements, factory expansion, industrial partnerships, and job creation.
During President Trump’s recent visit to China, the American delegation reportedly included a few top government officials, and many of the biggest figures in global business and technology:
Consequently, huge trade deals worth several billion dollars including about 200 Boeing orders were achieved.
The list of the entourage included
1. Donald J. Trump – President of the United States
2. Marco Rubio – Secretary of State
3. Pete Hegseth – Secretary of Defence
4. Elon Musk – CEO, Tesla & SpaceX
5. Jensen Huang – CEO, Nvidia
6. Tim Cook – CEO, Apple
7. Larry Fink – CEO, BlackRock
8. Stephen Schwarzman – CEO, Blackstone
9. Kelly Ortberg – CEO, Boeing
10. Brian Sikes – CEO, Cargill
11. Jane Fraser – CEO, Citigroup
12. Larry Culp – CEO, General Electric
13. David Solomon – CEO, Goldman Sachs
14. Sanjay Mehrotra – CEO, Micron Technology
15.Cristiano Amon – CEO, Qualcomm
16. Dina P. McCormick – President of Meta
17. Ryan McInerney – CEO, Visa
18. Michael Miebach – President, Mastercard
19. Jim Anderson – CEO, Coherent
20. Jacob Thaysen – CEO, Illumina
That is how serious nations approach diplomacy, by aligning foreign policy with economic expansion, industrial growth, innovation, and national productivity.
I hope that lessons can be learned from these recent visits comparing them with the President of Nigeria’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom.
A large entourage of politicians, aides, and government officials travelled, yet Nigerians are still asking a simple question: what exactly did Nigeria bring home?
Which factories are coming to Nigeria?
What power, technology, manufacturing, agricultural, or industrial agreements were secured?
How many direct jobs will this visit create for Nigerian youths?
What investments were attracted?
What measurable economic outcomes can the ordinary Nigerian point to?
The delegation reportedly included:
1. President Bola Tinubu
2. Senator (Mrs) Tinubu
3.12 governors
4.9 ministers
5.7 members of the National Assembly
6. Over 20 senior State House staff
7. Over 30 security personnel
8. Over 10 domestic staff
9. Several supporters and associates
It is not enough to ride horses, wear matching uniforms, attend royal banquets, and release glossy photographs. Symbolism without substance cannot feed hungry citizens.
Today, Nigeria is in decline, battling serious insecurity, food insecurity, unemployment, a weakened naira, declining industrial productivity, and worsening poverty.
At a time when millions of Nigerians struggle daily to afford food and survive economic hardship, every kobo spent on foreign trips must produce tangible national value: investments, factories, jobs, exports, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.
Nigeria needs leadership that is focused less on optics and more on productivity; less on ceremony and more on measurable economic results.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Where we are, national unity is no longer optional; it is a national necessity. We must rise above ethnicity, religion, region, and political divisions to recover the soul of our nation.
With unity and effective leadership, Nigeria can become a productive and prosperous nation once again. We must deliberately support agriculture and manufacturing so they become the highest contributors to our Gross Domestic Product. Special strategic attention must be given to unlocking the enormous agricultural potential of Northern Nigeria and connecting it to industrial production across the federation. We must move decisively from a nation of consumption to a nation of production.
We can no longer afford policies that foreclose our youth.
With competent, compassionate and transformative leadership, we can defeat insecurity, reduce corruption, create jobs, tame inflation, improve education, and restore hope to millions of Nigerians. Our youths must no longer be viewed as problems to manage, but as assets to empower. Our women must no longer be neglected, but included as equal partners in nation-building.
I remain convinced that a new Nigeria is possible, a Nigeria that is united, secure, productive, inclusive, and governed by justice and fairness. Let us therefore move forward with courage, with unity, and with our collective resolve. -PO
"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.
Yesterday, we took a bold and decisive step by formally joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
At the residence of Senator Seriake Dickson in Abuja, I announced that our decision stems from a deep commitment to democratic values.
We are determined to provide our people with a credible platform where they can thrive and realise their full potential.
I therefore call on all our dedicated supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to join the NDC and stand with us in this renewed fight for good governance and true democracy. - RMK