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Singer, Portable Excited As He Meets Peter Obi

Portable, the controversial Nigerian singer, has met with former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The singer appeared to be in awe as he met with the politician.

A video making the rounds on social media shows Portable bowing as he met Peter Obi by his car.

The former presidential candidate, Obi welcomed him and gave him a hug.

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Kidnapping Increased After Tinubu Took Office – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has lamented about the high spate of kidnappings in the nation.

In a post via his official X handle, Obi said the kidnappings of Nigerians increased rapidly after President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The former Governor of Anambra stated that the government is rewarding those who paid to get Tinubu elected rather than spending money to tackle insecurity in the nation.

Obi also called on the Tinubu government to increase the defence budget and stop spending funds on fancy weapons systems that fail to tackle the roots of the problem, which are poverty, poor education, and anger at army atrocities.

The LP chieftain also called out those who have continued to see his criticism of a bad system as bad and are maligning his person and the Obidients for seeking good governance and a better future for all Nigerians.

He wrote: “For those who have continued to see my issue-based constructive criticism of a bad system as bad and are maligning my person and the Obidients for seeking good governance and a better future for all Nigerians, let them now read this report from the respected international newsmagazine, The Economist of London and do the same.

“How much politicians in Nigeria care about national insecurity has long been correlated with how close it gets to their mansions in Abuja, the capital. On its outskirts on January 2nd, a father and his six daughters were kidnapped, prompting a rare outcry on high.

“A crowdfunding effort to pay the ransom was even backed by a former minister. But the kidnappers instead killed one of the girls and demanded more cash. The wife of President Bola Tinubu publicly lamented a “devastating loss”. Yet such horrors are still appallingly frequent—and largely ignored by politicians.

“In one incident last week in the South East, 45 people were kidnapped and are still missing, yet few leaders spoke out. The deadliest zone is the Nort East, where jihadists linked to Islamic State attack the army and villages. The North-west, too, is riddled with gangs that routinely kidnap for ransom. A decades-long conflict between mostly Muslim herders and largely Christian farmers rumbles on in the country, where on Christmas Eve, gunmen mowed down at least 160 people.

“Separatist violence still smoulders in Southe East. At his inauguration last May, Mr Tinubu declared security his “top priority”. Yet more than 3,600 people were kidnapped in 2023, the most ever, according to tAcleded, a global monitor of conflict.

“The snatching rose sharply after Mr Tinubu took office. And almost 9,000 Nigerians were killed in conflict last year (see chart). The government stresses that, in its most recent budget, spending on defence and the police took the biggest share, about 12% in all.

“The Defence got a fifth more than it did last year. Yet inflation is running at 29%, so in real terms, the defence budget has fallen. The government tends to splurge on fancy weapons systems that fail to tackle the roots of the problem, which are poverty, poor education, and anger at army atrocities.

“The latest budget includes funds for six t-129 Turkish attack helicopters on top of the 12 costly Bell choppers bought last year from America for $1bn, not to mention 12 Super Tucano attack aircraft. Buying strike drones has become so popular that the Army runs in a fleet alongside that of its forces. But drones are very good at guarding schools from kidnappings, and heavy weaponry risks disaster. A drone recently killed at least 85 civilians at a festival in Kaduna state—not the first such cock-up.

“The army promised to “fine-tune” its operations, but more radical change is needed. The police, well equipped but able to use better human intelligence, should lead on domestic security, not the army, which has been deployed in all 36 of Nigeria’s states.
Another huge problem is graft in security spending. “Defence is a prime part of the budget where you can take large quantities of money out without people being any the wiser,” says Matthew Page of Chatham House, a think-tank in London.

“Much of the budget, he says, is still about rewarding those who paid to get Mr Tinubu elected. Sometimes the army fails to receive its budget allocation. This is worsened by a system known as “security votes”, whereby parts of defence spending are deemed too sensitive to o require public oversight.

“The practice, which accounts for perhaps $700m a year, increased sharply under the last president and may well jump more under Mr Tinubu. The defence budget has nearly tripled since 2019. But thanks to inflation, wasteful purchases, sales, and corruption, Nigerians do not suffer. General Christopher Musa, the Chief Defence Staff, appears to understand the roots of the insecurity. “Military effort alone is incapable of restoring enduring peace,” he says, adding that the army helped build hundreds of schools under his command in the north-east. Yet many politicians seem keener to spend on themselves, rather than create the conditions for peace or fill the country’s fiscal hole. Even if Mr Tinubu resists the temptation to reinstate the petrol subsidy that he largely removed last year, debt servicing alone in 2024 may gobble up 61% of revenue.

“In November, the national assembly approved SUVs for all 460 lawmakers, at a reported cost of $150,000-plus per car. In two months, the government has budgeted $31m to improve accommodation for the president and vice-president—in a country of around 220m people where more than 80m are reckoned to live on less than $2.15 a day and many fear being kidnapped.”

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2024: LP‘ll Adjust to New Role As Nigeria’s Main Opposition Party — Obi

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate has said his party is adjusting to its role as the main opposition party.
According to NAN, Obi, said a new Nigeria is possible despite the numerous yet-to-be-fulfilled aspirations of citizens.
Obi, in his New Year Message to Nigerians on Monday, said that “As Nigeria is the only country we have, deeply endowed but lacking good leadership over the years, we will continue to seek a new Nigeria that we know is possible.
According to him, the party will continue to adjust to new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Expressing his heartfelt and warmest greetings to all Nigerians, Obi prayed God to bless them richly and grant them their good hearts’ desires in the new year and beyond.
Obi said: “The events of past year are now part of our national history. As we trudge on, we remain mindful of the State of our Nation, and that our best hopes and aspirations remain largely unfulfilled.
 
“Peace and security continue to elude us with the rising level of bloodletting deeply troubling and sometimes beyond a war situation.

 
“A situation where hundreds of Nigerians are violently killed in December alone is deeply sad and unacceptable.

 
“While we pray for the repose of the souls departed, we demand that the Federal Government must do whatever is required to bring the perpetrators to justice and permanently stop a reoccurrence in any part of Nigeria.”
He noted that the nation’s economy needed a turnaround considering the rising unemployment, inflation, poverty, inequality and other key socio-economic variables.
“Nigerians are now very aware and convinced that good governance, inclusive development, and accountable leadership expected in a functional democracy, continue to elude us.
 
“But we must be consistent and resolute in our demand for rule of law, regulatory quality and government effectiveness for transformative solutions to litany of our social problems.
 
“If there is one fundamental threat to our democracy, it is the undermining and weakening of our national institutions and the capture of state affairs and resources by few individuals and private interests.
 
“This must stop for Nigeria to move forward and function as an inclusive and sustainable society and nation,” Obi, a former two-term Anambra governor, said.
According to him, in a democratic and secular country like ours, there must be full respect for the separation of powers between the three independent arms of government, as well as between the federating units.
He said  the National Assembly should devote time and commit itself to diligent performance of their functions like the 2024 budget that required their prudent examination and subsequent patriotic oriented approval or rejection.
Obi said  the nation must work assiduously to avoid drifting to a one-party state, or a situation, where the Federal Government intervened unduly in the internal affairs of the states, particularly in circumstances where national security is not threatened.
He added: “We in Labour Party have undertaken in the national interest and in our undying commitment to a New Nigeria that is possible, to remain firmly in opposition and as such, must remain focused going forward.
 
“Our collective role in nation building remains fundamental and obligatory,” Obi said.
He used the opportunity to thank all Nigerians who supported his campaign during the 2023 elections and voted for his party because of their belief in the quest for a New Nigeria.
Obi said the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections was contested and remained so, on record,” but the Courts of law have spoken; so be it”.
He said: “I wish to thank members of the Labour Party, the Obidient Family, friends and well-wishers of Nigeria for their loyalty, resilience, tenacity and commitment to true democracy.
 
“We will continue ongoing discussions and efforts for the Labour Party to adjust to our new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
 
“We will continue to constructively engage all Nigerians and our friends, who have now realised the vast implications of the road not taken; and the folly of national interest decisions predicated on sentiments and primordial interests.”
 
Obi said that Nigeria remained a God-given country and that the business of Nigeria was far too important to be left to those involved in transactional politics.
 
“I am involved in the struggle for a New Nigeria that is possible and works for all and will remain passionately committed to the crusade.
 
“I, therefore,  implore you all who strive for a New Nigeria to remain fully engaged, committed and resilient as it is and will be possible.”
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Obi Reacts to Massacre of Innocent Villagers In Plateau

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election has reacted to the massacre of over 100 people in Plateau State.
Condemning the killings on his Twitter page, Obi urged Nigerians to pray.
He consoled the families of the bereaved who were massacred in the mindless act of terrorism that occurred on Christmas Day in Plateau State.
Obi wrote:
As we celebrate this season of peace and love and the approach of a new year, I like to spare a thought for our compatriots in uniform. After my sympathy visit to the Regent of Oba Community in Anambra State for the recent horrific killing of people in a nightclub in that community; plus the mindless act of terrorism that occurred on Christmas Day in Plateau State, where the death toll is now reportedly more than 100 with over 300 injured; with the saddening acts of violence that have occurred in Zamfara and Kastina States, where farmers were killed and several others kidnapped, and the many other violent attacks in many parts of the country, which may go unreported; my thoughts went to our overstretched security operatives. The men and women of our armed and security services come to mind.
 
They are our gallant troops in various battlefronts of insecurity, the policemen and women on patrol in our cities and highways, the Civil Defense Corps, and Department of State Security operatives. These illustrious citizens are often lost in our thoughts and prayers both as leaders and fellow citizens, yet they remain the guardians and protectors of our freedom as a people. I am also thinking of those who in the call of duty have to spend this festive season away from the comfort of their homes and the embrace of loved ones.
 
I am referring to those who face the risk of the supreme sacrifice to protect and defend the freedom of our dear nation and the liberties that come with our democracy. Let us spare them our thoughts and prayers this season.
 
Let them be reassured that their labours are appreciated by a grateful nation. Great nations are built by rulers, citizens, and the protectors of freedom. Therefore, to all our illustrious heroes, please accept the prayers and thoughts of your compatriots and the appreciation of a grateful nation for your services and sacrifices. God bless you all for what you do for us all.
 
And to all the families who have lost their loved ones to these acts of violence, do accept my sincere condolences. These are very challenging times in our nation.
 
Even some countries in open declared wars have not experienced this level of insecurity, violence and loss of human lives. Let us continue to pray for our nation that God will heal our land. -PO”
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Peter Obi Celebrates Aisha Yesufu On Her 50th Birthday

Mr Peter Obi, the  2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party is celebrating activist, Aisha Yesufu, as she turns 50.

Obi in a personally signed statement released via his account on the X platform, described Yesufu as an exemplary individual who is committed to the realization of a better Nigeria.

The former Anambra State Governor stated that Yesufu has consistently made sacrifices and worked hard towards realizing a better Nigeria.

He prayed for God’s blessings upon her and her family always.

Obi wrote: “On behalf of my family, and the Obidient family, I wish to most sincerely congratulate my very dear sister @AishaYesufu today on her birthday anniversary.

“May God Almighty who had been with her all these years and sees her goodness grant her many more healthy, fruitful and happy years. She remains an exemplary Nigerian who is truly committed to a better Nigeria, and consistently sacrificed and worked hard for that purpose.

“God Almighty bless you, and your family always.”

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Peter Obi Visits Kaduna Airstrike Victims, Demands Iinvestigation

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 general election has demanded for investigation after a drone attack by the military killed innocent villagers in Kaduna State.
Obi made the plea following the recent ‘unintentional’ military airstrike at Tudun Biri village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The former governor of Anambra paid a visit to the victims on Tuesday, December 12, at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
According to him, there has been sixteen unintentional military bombs in the nation so far, resulting in the deaths of over 500 people.
He added that the federal government has done nothing to stop these disasters from happening again.
To forestall future occurence, the former governor urged the government to assist the armed forces.
Obi pointed out that addressing the current and future security threats facing the country requires sufficient resources for the armed forces.
He was in favour of the establishment of a foundation to provide for the victims of the Tudun Biri drone assault, especially those who have been left orphaned by the event, and he also backed requests for a probe into the military air strike.
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Fatal Mistakes Like This Leave Indelible Trauma On The Families – Peter Obi Reacts to Bombing of Villagers by Nigerian Army

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last general elections has prayed for the families of villagers mistakenly bombed by the Nigerian Army.
Recall that the military bombed Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State killing many innocent people.
Reacting on Twitter on Tuesday, Obi said such collateral damage is unacceptable.
The former Anambra State governor urged the military to exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid such kind of embarrassment to both the military and the country.
According to him, “any incident that leads to harm or loss of lives of the innocent people they are meant to protect should be avoided”.
 
While commiserating with families that lost their loved ones, Obi prayed God to grant the dead eternal rest and quick healing to the injured.
 
“I read with sadness, the devastating reports of the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri Village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by a Nigerian Army craft that mistook the villagers for terrorists.
 
“The lethal incident left death tolls reported to have risen to 80 persons, with several others injured. While our military continues to fight impressively against insecurity in many parts of the country, they must exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid this kind of embarrassment to both the military and the country. Any incident that leads to harm or loss of lives of the innocent people they are meant to protect should be avoided.
 
“Even though the mishap is one too many, the security agencies should work with reliable human intelligence reports on ground before any offensive attack to avoid innocent casualties as has been reported in this case,” Obi said.
 
”Fatal mistakes like this leave indelible trauma on the families who have lost their loved ones to this ugly and unfortunate mishap. I sincerely commiserate with families that lost their loved ones. And to the dead, I pray God Almighty to forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest, and quick healing to the injured. We pray that such a mistake leading to a sorrowful outcome, as this, never happens again in our country.
 
”It is regrettable that the problem of insecurity in our nation has persisted for so long that we are now paying such unintended human costs as collateral damage.”
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It Is The Annual Salary Of About 3,000 Professors – Peter Obi Slams FG’s Plan to Use N15bn For Construction Of Vice President’s House

Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, Peter Obi has lashed out at the Federal Government for budgetting N15 billion for the construction of a new residence for the Vice President.
He said such a move is shocking and disheartening, considering the many challenges facing the nation.
According to him, the N2.5 billion and N3 billion included in the Supplementary Budget for renovating the Vice President’s residence in Abuja and Lagos means that he already has a residence.
Obi frowned against budgeting a total of N20.5 billion, when added together, for the accommodation of the Vice President at a time when more people are falling into poverty and not knowing where their next meal will come from.
In a statement via his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State governor opined that the country needs leaders who show compassion and wre willing to sacrifice for common progress and development.
He wrote, “Even as I am still studying the 2024 fiscal budget as presented to the National Assembly last week, I cannot wait as I am compelled to ask: what is exactly wrong with us as a country?

 
“I ask this question because it is hard for me to understand some of the recent happenings in our nation in these critical times. The recent news about a budget provision of N15 billion for the construction of a new residence for the Vice President is both shocking and disheartening, considering the many important challenges facing our nation. Just recently, in the Supplementary Budget, the sum of N2.5 billion was included for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Abuja, which means that he already has a residence.
 
“Again, during the budget presentation, I heard the sum of N3 billion was allocated for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Lagos. If we total all these sums, we would have budgeted the sum of N20.5 billion for the housing of the Vice President at this critical time when we are not just the world’s poverty capital but more people are falling into poverty, with so many Nigerians not knowing where their next meal will come from. Our health facilities have collapsed, and unemployment is skyrocketing.
 
“I am convinced that 99.9% of Nigerians can only dream of living in the current residence of the Vice President. Several people employed in the universities are not being paid. Just to give an example, the salary of a professor in a Nigerian university is about N400,000, which without removing tax is about N5 million a year. What we have budgeted for the housing of the Vice President, who is already luxuriously housed, is, therefore, the annual salary of about 3000 professors! This is the finance needed to develop the much-needed human capital.
 
“The budget of N5 billion for student loans, which is yet to be disbursed, is only a tiny percentage of the cost of the Vice President’s new home. We are projecting to use four times the amount for educating ALL Nigerian indigent students to house the Vice President, and we are being told there is nothing wrong with us. I am sure the major teaching hospitals in Nsukka, Lagos, Ibadan, and Zaria did not receive this much capital vote in the budget this year. We have had leaders that were exemplary in the past.
 
“Most Nigerians may not know that the popular 1004 flats in Lagos were land allocated for the building of a Presidential Mansion for the then Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed.
 
“He sternly turned down the offer and instructed that the land should be used to build blocks of flats for civil servants. That is the kind of sacrificial leadership worth emulating. Our leaders must, therefore, stop the recklessness and insensitivity to the plight of the masses.
 
“We need leaders who show compassion and are willing to sacrifice for common progress and development. Such compassionate and frugal leaders are critical in our journey to the New Nigeria.”
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Peter Obi Attends Commonwealth Summit In London (Photos)

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), attended theTrade and Investment Summit organised by the Commonwealth in London, the United Kingdom.

In a statement via his official X handle on Tuesday, Obi said the summit allowed him to speak on how Africa is greatly endowed as the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent and a continent of incredible richness.

The former Governor of Anambra State said Nigeria could earn more from agriculture than from oil if the government invested in the vast uncultivated lands in the North.

Obi stated that even with the immense potential and opportunities in Africa, many challenges remain related to the widespread leadership failures on the continent.

With its long years of experience in political leadership in Africa, the LP flagbearer urged the Commonwealth to partner with and support Africa to instil accountable and responsible political leadership.

 

 

He wrote: “Yesterday, I had the honour of speaking at the Commonwealth-organized Trade and Investment Summit in London, themed, “Harnessing the African Opportunity”, a topic of immense importance and promise.

“The event provided me with the ample opportunity to elucidate how Africa is greatly endowed, being the second largest and second-most-populous continent of the world and a continent of incredible richness, not just in terms of its natural resources but also its human capital, with a population of over 1.4 billion people.

“A youthful and dynamic workforce with the largest concentration of working age population of about 1.1 billion people, with an abundance of natural resources ranging from minerals to over 874 million hectares of arable land for agricultural revolution, positions Africa as a key player in the global economy.

“While every socio-economic sector in Africa presents immense potential and opportunities, I used just four sectors – Technology, Entertainment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture to further illustrate the emerging opportunities of this great continent, I mentioned that Africa is not just catching up, but innovating its areas.

“From fintech (financial technology) solutions that address financial inclusion to mobile technologies that leapfrog traditional infrastructure. Africa is proving to be a hub of innovation. It is creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses, including more access to education and healthcare.

“Africa is home to a litany of natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, and timber. For instance, 40% of the gold and 90% of chromium and platinum deposits in the world are in Africa. The largest deposits of the world’s cobalt, diamond, platinum, and uranium are also in Africa.

The richest country in the world in terms of mineral and natural resources is The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with an estimated value of over $24 trillion, including the largest deposits of coltan and cobalt. The DRC picture can be extrapolated for many other African countries.

“Recent studies show that Africa has 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable lands and that Africa’s food and agriculture market could increase from its present amount of less than US$300 billion a year to over US$1 trillion a year by 2030.

“The same studies show that with agriculture at the core of Africa’s economic transformation, the continent has the potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse and a net exporter of food. However, this can only be achieved if the right combination of policies is implemented.

“I have always maintained that Nigeria can earn more from agriculture than from oil if we invest in the vast uncultivated lands in the North. However, even with the immense potential and opportunities in Africa, many challenges remain related to the widespread leadership failures on the continent.

“Africa is home to many people living in extreme poverty and multi-dimensional poverty. Despite these challenges, there is a growing belief that Africa can be on the cusp of a major transformation with the opportunities that abound if the right reforms are pursued.

“I urged the Commonwealth, with its long years of experience in political leadership in Africa, to partner with and support Africa to instil Accountable and responsible political leadership, which has remained the most critical requirement for the harnessing of the immense opportunities in Africa for the benefit of Africa, the Commonwealth, and the global economy. I remain hopeful for a New Africa and a New Nigeria.”

See Photos Below;

 

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Peter Obi Visits Alma Mater, Christ the King College In Anambra (Photos)

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections has paid a visit to his alma mater, Christ the King College in Onitsha.
He visited the school to celebrate its 90th Founders Day.
The former Anambra State governor shared this in a post on his X handle on Sunday, November 26, stating that the college has stood as a beacon of discipline, knowledge, moral integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Obi’s tweet read,
“The College has, since its inception, produced the first two Nigerian Cardinals of the Catholic Church, several bishops, both catholic and Anglican, four supreme court justices and other judges; three governors; many respected senior advocates of Nigeria and legal luminaries; respected academicians, captains of industries and many men of high value in society.
 
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to the founding fathers, the pioneer teachers, the previous and current School Management, and all those who have dedicated themselves to the noble cause of education at Christ The King College over the years.
 
“Their tireless efforts have set the College on a path of continuous growth, academic distinction, and moral uprightness.
 
“I leveraged the opportunity of this great event to encourage the students, teachers, and management of the College to persist in their pursuit of academic excellence and moral development.
 
“And to all Nigerians, I encourage us to continue to prioritize investment in education which remains a critical contributor to national development and will help us to build the New Nigeria of our dreams. Ours is a land of Possibility”.