Politics
Nigeria a crime scene, needs urgent fix – Peter obi
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, has decried the high level of insecurity and hardship across Nigeria, describing the country as a “crime scene” in need of urgent fix.
Speaking during the presentation of a book – ‘Obi: The Political Change Agent’, in Abuja on Tuesday, Obi expressed concerns over the hardship Nigeria citizens are facing, implying that although Nigeria is not officially at war, many citizens live like refugees, both inside and outside the country.
“Today in Nigeria, we’re not officially at war, yet Nigerians are living in IDP camps in their own country. Nigerians are refugees in Chad, in Cameroon. And the only reason is because we don’t have a government that cares for them,” he said.
He cautioned on the current system of the country stating it unsustainable and dangerous, urging Nigerian to actively work hard to detach from what is called a crime scene of a country.
“Some people are dancing while the ship is sinking. When it finally goes down, it will consume everyone rich or poor. I’ve seen this before in places like Beirut and Afghanistan. Crisis does not discriminate,” he warned.
He further criticized the nation’s priorities, pointing out that while government buildings are being renovated and parties thrown, women continue to die during childbirth and millions of children remain out of school.
“We use public resources to paint offices and build mansions, while women die trying to give birth. According to a recent report, one woman dies every seven minutes in Nigeria during childbirth. That’s what we want to dismantle,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor emphasized that many of Nigeria’s problems stem from a lack of leadership and value creation.
“Our leaders in government and business are producing poverty. When people hoard money without creating value, they are fueling poverty. A functional economy must be built on the exchange of real value,” he said.
On currency devaluation, Obi supported the idea but stressed the need to eliminate corruption first.
“Yes, I support removing fuel subsidy, but only after removing the criminality in the system. If we build confidence in the market and clean up corruption, the naira will stabilize. It’s happening in Ghana and Angola, why not here?”
He also lamented the collapse of Nigeria’s infrastructure, citing a trip to Kafanchan where he didn’t see a single trailer transporting goods, a sign, he said, of a broken, unproductive economy.
“Colonial masters built railways to move goods cotton, granite, ginger. Today, they’re gone. We have no trains, no trailers, nothing. And we wonder why people are hungry?”
Obi called for a new wave of leadership, especially in the National Assembly, urging voters to elect leaders who are committed to peace and service rather than personal gain.
“We must not allow people who want to make money from politics. If that’s your goal, you are part of the problem,” he declared.
“This time, we will vote. The votes will count. We will be everywhere.”
Obi ended his remarks by thanking supporters and urging them to remain committed to the cause of national transformation.
Earlier, Professor Sam Amadi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), described Peter Obi as the ideal leader to spearhead a necessary democratic revolution.
“A successful revolution is defined by democratic civilization and democratic diplomacy. Peter Obi possesses the profile, pedigree, personality, and passion to lead this change,” Amadi said.
He noted that while Nigeria’s challenges are vast, they can be overcome with the right leadership, commitment and collective sacrifice.
Politics
FEDERAL HIGH COURT STOPS INEC FROM RESTRICTING DEFECTION TO ANOTHER PARTY AFTER CONTESTING PRIMARY
Here is the judgement from the Federal High Court, Abuja today
1. INEC can only monitor 2027 primaries but cannot fix timetable for when a political party should conduct its primaries for this election
2. INEC cannot give a shorter timeframe or abridge the period in which a political party can provide information of their candidates for 2027 election
3. INEC cannot give a shorter timeframe to political parties as regards withdrawal or replacement of candidates (Placeholders)
4. INEC cannot publish any final list of candidates for 2027 elections before 60 days to election.
5. INEC cannot fix 2027 campaigns to end 2 days to elections.
6. This is AN ORDER nullifying and setting aside the timeframes imposed by INEC for 2027 General Election for:
– the conduct of primary elections by political parties for the 2027 general elections
– the submission of personal particulars of candidates by their political parties for the 2027 general elections
– the withdrawal and replacement of candidates by political parties
– the publication of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections and campaigning.
Is this a trap or a game changer for some aspirants???
A Rivers State politician, Blessing Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The politician has already obtained both the nomination and expression of interest forms needed to participate in the governorship race ahead of the 2027 election.
Blessing Fubara shares the same surname and local government area with the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Both men are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. However, there has been no confirmation that they are family members.
The Chairman of the NDC in Rivers State, Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is among those seeking the party’s governorship ticket.
He also stated that he could not confirm whether the governorship aspirant is related to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him, the party is preparing seriously for the 2027 general elections and hopes to win not only the governorship seat but other elective positions in Rivers State.
The development comes weeks after Blessing Fubara left the All Progressives Congress and joined the NDC.
Following his defection in Abuja, he was received by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alongside other leaders and members of the party.
After joining the NDC, Blessing Fubara said his decision was taken for the interest of Rivers people.
He also stated that the future of the state must be protected ahead of the next general election, expressing confidence that the state would experience positive changes after the 2027 polls.
Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.
In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.
Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.
The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.
Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYkCaAiMxxt/?igsh=ZWw5czl6MHJhNnRy
FEDERAL HIGH COURT STOPS INEC FROM RESTRICTING DEFECTION TO ANOTHER PARTY AFTER CONTESTING PRIMARY
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