Politics
‘Nigerians facing hardship’ — Obi faults Borno speaker’s call for new aircraft for Shettima
‘Nigerians facing hardship’ — Obi faults Borno speaker’s call for new aircraft for Shettima
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has faulted a call by Abdulkarim Lawan, speaker of the Borno state house of assembly, for the purchase of a new aircraft for Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
On October 25, the vice-president aborted his trip to the 2024 Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, had said Shettima’s trip was cancelled due to damage to his aircraft.
Reacting to the development, the Borno speaker said Shettima needed a new aircraft urgently, adding that the vice-president’s life was at risk.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, Obi said the Borno speaker was insensitive with such a comment, adding that he was “obviously unconcerned about the prevailing economic situation in the country”.
The former governor of Anambra said the call was provoking, noting that the speaker is ‘probably oblivious of the fact that Nigeria, at present, has continued to manifest every trait of a failed state”.
“That Nigerians are facing untold hardship at this moment is no secret,” the statement reads.
“We are today among one of the eleven worst-governed African nations in the last 10 years. We are also among the 20 most hungry nations in the world, with our people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger, and starvation.
“Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year.
“Are these not the issues that should be prioritised by committed leaders?
“Our national electricity grid has so far collapsed 8 times this year alone and 105 times in the last ten years, plunging our small businesses into great losses and households into darkness.
“In the past 15 months, several businesses have closed down or become distressed due to the harsh economic environment in the country.
“Are these not the issues that should preoccupy us as leaders, rather than being consumed by our selfish desires for needless luxury at the expense of the people we are called to serve?
“What does Nigeria’s vice-president need a new jet for, and what value are all presidential and vice-presidential trips adding to our present situation?
“It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decided to buy a presidential jet, used by both the president and vice president.
“The Vice President travels mostly in the country’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia.
“And since we have recently undeservedly bought one, it should be used on essential, inevitable trips of the president and vice-president.
“I appeal to the president, vice-president, and our public office holders that our present precarious situation calls only for minimal and highly contributory inevitable travels.
“It is time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges for the wellbeing of the people and the development of our country.
“Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service. A new Nigeria is possible if we can get our priorities right.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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