MY VISIT TO PORT HARCOURT
Yesterday, after attending Daily Times at 100th in Abuja, I travelled to Port Harcourt for a rousing reception from our party members, led by our Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs. The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is to attend the NDC Obi-Talks, a Port Harcourt Town Hall.
The town hall provided an opportunity for an open and engaging conversation with the people. Our questions and answers centered on issues that directly affect the lives of Nigerians, including jobs, healthcare, education, security, and economic opportunity.
I reiterated my commitment to investing in the three critical areas that accelerate the development of every nation: education, healthcare, and pulling our people out of poverty.
We examined the experiences of countries that once faced challenges similar to those confronting Nigeria today, and how competent, purposeful, and compassionate leadership transformed their fortunes.
From Bangladesh and its remarkable progress in rice production, to Indonesia and the growth of its SMEs, and India’s efforts at pulling millions of its citizens out of poverty, the lesson is clear: countries succeed when leadership is competent, accountable, focused, and committed to the welfare of the people.
My greatest elation today came from the renewed commitment I saw among the good people of Rivers State to participate massively in the 2027 elections and, more importantly, to ensure that their votes are counted and the people’s mandate is respected.
Let it be recorded that this time around, the people of Rivers State will vote, and their votes MUST count.
Only leaders who emerge from a free, fair, and credible electoral process can truly be called Excellencies. Rivers State can and should set the pace for excellent, free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
I sincerely thank our Vice Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Senator Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; our host and Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs; his team; the Rivers State Working Committee of the NDC; the National Working Committee led by our National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe; and all our friends, supporters, and well-wishers who joined us for this important engagement.
Our task is to rescue Nigeria, rebuild our institutions, and restore hope to our people.
A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO
A President and the Endless Question of His Past
As a citizen of no other country, who has never sought foreign citizenship even when doing so became fashionable, my loyalty to Nigeria and my faith in her destiny remain unshaken.
Yesterday, 30th of August, being Sunday, I fervently prayed for our nation and for those entrusted with the solemn responsibility of leadership. I found myself deeply saddened by the direction in which our country is heading.
It is profoundly embarrassing that we have reached a point where a sitting President is asking a foreign court to withhold records concerning his past, particularly records relating to matters of legitimate public interest.
Leadership, in my humble view, demands the courage and humility to confront one’s history — to acknowledge mistakes, provide candid explanations where questions arise, and, where necessary, apologise and seek forgiveness. True authority is strengthened, not diminished, when a leader accepts responsibility rather than seeks to shield uncomfortable aspects of the past from legitimate scrutiny.
This becomes particularly important when questions concern educational credentials. Issues surrounding foundational schooling — primary and secondary — should not remain unresolved or be addressed primarily through legal proceedings. Nigerians deserve clear, credible, and verifiable explanations, especially when such had been submitted in the past.
My deepest concern is the example this sets for more than 200 million Nigerians, particularly the over 30 million young people in schools. The nation’s highest office should exemplify integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership.
An imperfect past is part of the human condition. What matters is the willingness to confront it with humility, honesty and deep apology, to make amends where necessary and, when circumstances so demand, to place the interests of the nation above personal ambition.
When will our political class fully appreciate that individual ambitions are temporary, while the nation endures? The Presidency is an office held for a season; the moral standards established by those who occupy it can influence generations.
Nigeria is greater than any one person, and the integrity of the Republic must always come before the interests of the individual.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Awa Omoluabi 🕺
From Oyo,Osun,Ekiti,Ondo,Ogun,Eko
This should be on all your social media platforms.
Your parents Watsapp groups
A New Nigeria 🇳🇬 is POssible.
Hello everyone, please, I urgently need your help and attention. My sister and other NYSC corps members who left Bayelsa State yesterday were attacked along the Kogi Express Road. Sadly, the driver was killed, and the corps members were reportedly taken into the forest.
Up until now, we have not heard from them, and the family is deeply worried and devastated. We have contacted the police, but unfortunately, we have not received any positive feedback yet.
Please, I am appealing to the NYSC, the Federal Government, security agencies, and everyone who can help to urgently intervene and do everything possible to rescue them safely.
Please, we don’t want anything to happen to our loved ones. . They are someone’s children, siblings and loved ones. Their lives matter.
Please help us amplify this message and tag the relevant authorities. We are begging for urgent action before it is too late.
(Chisom Ede Wrote)
Our media is in total blackout.
In case you don’t know what’s happening, yesterday over 15 NYSC members were kidnapped. Nobody is talking about it because the media is obeying Tinubu’s instructions.
These are people’s children; their parents spent years of hard work training them in university. 💔🤯