Politics
Peter Obi Goes Against New Jet for VP, Urges Leaders to Focus on Nigeria’s Struggles
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised concerns about the recent suggestion that the Vice President should receive a new official aircraft due to safety issues reported with the current one.
In a statement, Obi criticized the proposal, calling it “insensitive” to the pressing challenges Nigeria faces.
He pointed out that, given the current economic hardships, prioritizing a new jet for the Vice President appears to overlook the greater issues plaguing the country.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s situation is dire: the nation ranks among the eleven worst-governed African countries of the past decade, and it’s also counted among the world’s twenty most hunger-stricken nations.
He emphasized the “extreme hunger and poverty” faced by millions of Nigerians daily, with the country currently holding the unfortunate title of the world’s poverty capital.
Per capita income, which fell from $1,700 in 2023 to $1,109 this year, only underscores the economic strain on Nigerians, who are dealing with rising costs and limited income opportunities.
Beyond the poverty statistics, Obi highlighted the instability of the national electricity grid, which has collapsed eight times this year alone and 105 times over the past decade.
This ongoing instability continues to affect both households and small businesses, deepening losses and increasing the challenges in an already strained economy.
Businesses in Nigeria have been shutting down or struggling to survive in this harsh environment, with many unable to withstand the burdens of high operating costs and unreliable infrastructure.
Given these issues, Obi questioned the need for new luxury acquisitions, arguing that the country’s leadership should instead focus on addressing the needs of the people.
He pointed out that Indonesia, a nation with consistently strong economic growth of over 6% annually for the past decade, waited until 2014 to acquire a single presidential jet.
Even then, it’s shared between the President and Vice President, with the latter frequently flying on the national airline, Garuda Indonesia, for official duties.
Obi urged Nigerian leaders to adopt a similar approach, suggesting that any official travel should be limited to essential and contributory trips.
Instead of focusing on luxury, he called on leaders to take a closer look at the issues affecting the everyday lives of Nigerians.
“It’s time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges,” Obi said, stressing the importance of a selfless and committed approach to leadership for the nation’s wellbeing.
Veteran Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo has opened up about what he calls a betrayal by Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party. In a recent interview with Symfoni, Okonkwo revealed that his decision to quit the party earlier in February 2025 was influenced by Obi’s actions during a leadership crisis within the party.
Okonkwo, who once served as a spokesperson for Obi’s presidential campaign, said the former Anambra State governor ignored his counsel and returned to support the Julius Abure-led faction—despite ongoing controversies surrounding that group. He explained that Obi was misinformed by party executives who claimed that the Abure-led camp had been recognised by INEC. But in his view, Obi’s move went against everything he had previously stood for.
“Any serious politician knows how not to be misled,” Okonkwo said. “But in this case, it was Obi who betrayed me. I warned him—these people are not democratic. INEC recognition isn’t enough reason to return to a group that goes against the values you publicly uphold. If you align with them again, you risk your political credibility and everything you’ve worked for.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised to keep unsettling those who oppose President Bola Tinubu by continuing to deliver impactful projects across Abuja. Speaking at the commissioning of key roads including the Arterial Road N16 and other projects in the Katampe district, Wike said he now fully understands how much resentment some people have for the President’s achievements since taking office in 2023.
According to Wike, a recent moment while watching TV opened his eyes to how deeply some critics are affected by Tinubu’s progress. “Something just moved me to switch on the TV, and I saw the anger and pain on people’s faces,” Wike said. “Now I get it—some people are really hurting. So I’ve taken it upon myself to increase their blood pressure with more good work.”
He added that while critics stay bitter, he and others will keep enjoying the results of their efforts. “We’ll be smiling, moving around freely, while they stay mad and frustrated. That’s my new mission,” he said. Wike thanked President Tinubu for leading what he described as a development revolution in the FCT.
Nigerian Comedian Ali Baba reveals cost of political seats and positions in the Nigerian government.
The comedian reveals this information during a brief interview, he shares that one will need up to #1.2 Billion for a Senatorial seat. Meanwhile for a governor position, one will need 20-25 billion Naira.
Ali baba then argued on how the government focuses more on the financial aspect of election rather than the need of the people. He shares that’s why corruption citing election period is high.
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