Politics
Obi Demands Bold Reforms: Challenges Tinubu to Prioritize Domestic Crisis Over Foreign Diplomacy
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In a searing New Year’s address, Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has issued a clarion call for urgent reforms, challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to abandon ceremonial leadership and confront Nigeria’s mounting crises with decisive action.
Obi’s message portrayed Nigeria’s situation as a “national emergency,” marked by economic collapse, deepening insecurity, and widespread hunger. He painted a grim picture of rising poverty, shrinking GDP, and the erosion of public trust in governance, warning that failure to act could push the country to the brink of irreversible decline.
Obi cited alarming statistics, revealing that over 100 million Nigerians now live in extreme poverty, while 150 million grapple with multidimensional hardship. Once Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria has slipped to fourth place, with GDP shrinking to $200 billion and per capita income plummeting to $1,000.
Highlighting the 2024 Global Hunger Index, which ranked Nigeria 110th out of 127 countries, Obi underscored the inadequacy of the newly proposed N70,000 minimum wage, arguing it cannot even buy a bag of rice.
Obi did not mince words regarding Tinubu’s leadership, criticizing the President’s 180 days of foreign trips within his first 580 days in office. He accused Tinubu of prioritizing international engagements over urgent domestic issues and called for an immediate shift in focus to address Nigeria’s crumbling infrastructure, healthcare system, and education sector.
“Mr. President, Nigeria is bleeding,” Obi stated. “We need leadership rooted at home, addressing our realities—not in distant capitals.”
Obi urged Tinubu to conduct on-the-ground assessments of insecurity, displacement, and poverty by visiting IDP camps and dilapidated schools. He further challenged the President to undergo medical checkups in local hospitals to spotlight Nigeria’s healthcare crisis and inspire confidence in local institutions.
Proposing a roadmap to national recovery, Obi outlined key reforms to include Cutting the Cost of Governance: Redirecting resources to critical areas like security, education, and poverty alleviation, Fighting Corruption by Strengthening procurement transparency and recovering stolen funds to restore fiscal discipline and Smart Borrowing to ensure future debts are tied to regenerative investments rather than consumption.
Other proposed reforms by Obi included Institutional Reforms to strengthen electoral systems and rebuilding public trust in democracy and National Unity and Inclusivity to promote empathy by visiting conflict zones, military bases, and regions in crisis.
Borrowing from Martin Luther King Jr., Obi declared, “We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. This is no time for apathy or complacency.”
He called on Tinubu to embrace reforms that inspire confidence, drive development, and restore hope for Nigerians.
While many Nigerians welcomed Obi’s remarks as a patriotic call to action, critics questioned whether his message was a veiled attempt to position himself for future elections.
Regardless of interpretation, Obi’s demands resonate with millions of Nigerians exhausted by economic hardship and insecurity. As 2025 unfolds, the spotlight remains on Tinubu’s administration to either deliver the bold reforms Obi advocates—or risk deepening public disillusionment.
Politics
Obidient Movement Gears Up for 2027, Strengthens Unity
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Following a successful Advisory and Directorate Committees meeting held recently, the Obidient Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to a united, strategic, and value-driven political future.
The meeting, described as a milestone gathering, brought together key stakeholders and leaders within the movement to solidify strategies for the 2027 general elections.
Central to the discussions was the vision of ensuring competent, value-based leadership, with a strong emphasis on supporting Peter Obi and like-minded leaders who embody the movement’s ideals of integrity, good governance, and accountability.
Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of organisation, coordination, and active participation in driving the movement’s objectives.
The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, reinforcing the need for structure, outreach, and grassroots mobilisation to sustain the momentum ahead of the next election cycle.
Following the deliberations, members left with a renewed sense of purpose, fully aware of the responsibilities ahead.
National Coordinator of the Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko
expressed confidence in the movement’s direction, thanking those who have taken up leadership roles in various directorates and advisory councils.
“We deeply appreciate all those who have accepted appointments to serve in different capacities. Their contributions will be critical in shaping the movement’s future. We also salute the millions of Obidients across Nigeria and beyond who tirelessly advocate and mobilise for a better country. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this movement,” Dr. Tanko stated.
Continuing, he said eith renewed energy and focus, the Obidient Movement is set to expand its structures nationwide, ensuring greater coordination and effectiveness.
According to him, the movement will also empower supporters with the tools needed to actively participate in governance and political processes as well as sustained mobilization at all levels, to reinforce the push for transformative leadership in Nigeria.
Dr. Tanko urged all supporters to stay engaged, participate actively, and remain steadfast in their commitment to the movement’s cause.
He emphasized that a new Nigeria is within reach, but only through collective action and perseverance.
Finally, Tanko encouraged all Obidients to stay informed, join local chapters, and contribute to the shared vision of a better Nigeria.
For further updates and participation, he urged supporters to reach out via Obidient.unification@gmail.com.
Politics
2027 Elections: SDP’s Agunloye Calls for Ideology-Driven Alliances, Not Just Power Grabs
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National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye, has warned that alliances must go beyond mere power-seeking and instead be rooted in principles, ideology, and national development.
This is coming as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections with political coalitions and realignments taking center stage once again.
In a thought-provoking paper titled “The Tikanga for Alliances and Coalitions for Good Governance and Life More Abundant,” released in Abuja on Monday, Agunloye examined Nigeria’s history of political coalitions—highlighting their successes, failures, and the urgent need for a new approach.
Dr. Agunloye traced the failures of past alliances, including, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) of 1964, formed out of political expediency, lacking a unifying ideology.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 successfully unseated the ruling party in 2015 but failed to deliver long-term national development, leaving Nigeria struggling with insecurity, poor infrastructure, and economic challenges.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP 2018) despite signing a memorandum to support a joint candidate, it lacked a clear roadmap before the 2019 elections.
The National Consultative Front (NCF 2021) aimed to form a mega-party for the 2023 elections failed to implement its strategy within INEC’s timeframe.
Looking ahead to 2027, Agunloye urged political stakeholders to move beyond short-term electoral victories and instead adopt a structured, principle-based approach to coalition-building.
He emphasized that alliances should prioritize national security, social justice, and economic prosperity over personal ambition.
“Political partnerships must be built well in advance of elections, with clear strategies for leadership, policies, and campaign execution.
“Coalitions should not be a dumping ground for defecting politicians but a platform for individuals and groups genuinely committed to Nigeria’s progress.
“A blueprint for governance must be established before seeking electoral victory to prevent post-election chaos.”
Dr. Agunloye suggested that the SDP, under its current leadership, has the necessary structure to support a well-planned alliance.
However, he stressed that other political platforms could also contribute to building a coalition focused on national transformation.
“Nigeria does not need to reinvent the wheel,” he stated, urging stakeholders to learn from past coalition mistakes and work towards a grand alliance that prioritizes governance over politics.
As the 2027 elections approach, the critical question remains, will political leaders embrace a new, ideology-driven alliance or repeat the cycle of failed coalitions?
Politics
Ex-LP Treasurer Rejects Abure’s Igbo Presidency Push, Advocates Merit-Based Leadership
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A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has distanced herself from the position of the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, on the path to an Igbo presidency, insisting that Ndigbo must secure the presidency through merit, not ethnic sentiment.
Oparah’s reaction follows Abure’s recent statement at a South-East Labour Party rally in Abuja, where he reiterated the party’s commitment to supporting the Igbo for the presidency in 2027. According to Abure, the LP had zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East to “wipe the tears” of the region, urging Igbo leaders to realign and consolidate their political strength ahead of the next election.
However, Oparah, in a statement issued on Sunday, strongly disagreed with Abure’s approach, warning that framing the presidency as an ethnic entitlement rather than a merit-based contest could hurt Ndigbo’s chances.
“The notion that Ndigbo can only achieve the presidency by exploiting tribal and regional sentiments is not only misguided but also detrimental to our collective progress as a nation,” she said.
She pointed to the performance of Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections as evidence that an Igbo candidate can gain nationwide support based on competence, integrity, and vision, rather than ethnic affiliation.
“Obi’s success was not built on ethnic sentiment but on his impressive credentials and performance record, which still speak for him today. If not for certain electoral irregularities, he could have secured the seat for the betterment of all Nigerians,” Oparah argued.
She further criticized Abure’s rhetoric, stating that it undermines the principle of national unity and meritocracy.
“Rather than promoting an ethnic-based campaign strategy, Ndigbo must focus on building a coalition of support across different ethnic and political groups. The presidency of Nigeria should be won based on competence, vision, and leadership, not sentiment,” she said.
Oparah urged political leaders to prioritize a unifying national agenda over ethnic considerations, warning that emphasizing tribal politics could alienate potential allies and weaken support for an Igbo candidate.
As the race for 2027 begins to take shape, her remarks signal a growing debate within the Labour Party and the wider political landscape over the best approach for the South-East to attain national leadership.
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