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Peter Obi Goes Against New Jet for VP, Urges Leaders to Focus on Nigeria’s Struggles

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Wike and Fubara Need to Explain the Real Cause of Their Conflict – Omotsegunwa

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Jerry Omotsegunwa, Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, has said that both FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Fubara need to come forward and explain the real cause of their political fallout.

According to Omotsegunwa, neither Wike nor Fubara has clearly stated what led to their dispute. “The FCT minister has not told us anything that led to the crisis, and the governor too has not provided any clarity,” he said.

The rift between the two escalated into a full-blown political crisis, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. Tinubu also suspended Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly.

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, in an interview with DW, attributed the crisis to money, criticizing Tinubu’s emergency rule decision as unconstitutional.

Reacting to Amaechi’s claim, Omotsegunwa said it remains a personal opinion, as the real reason behind the crisis is still unclear.

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“This crisis has lasted almost two years, yet nobody has come out to state exactly what the problem is,” he said. “When they talked about impeaching the governor, he asked, ‘What is my offence?’ And the FCT minister responded that he tried to destroy his political structure. Even with this, we are still left without real answers.”

Omotsegunwa added that while he wouldn’t dispute Amaechi’s stance, it remains just his personal perspective.


 

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“I Almost Gave Up on Running for President” – President Tinubu Shares

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President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he almost stepped away from the presidential race but was convinced to stay by Aminu Masari and a few others.

Speaking at a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu shared how a late-night conversation with a relative made him question his decision to run. His spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, released a statement detailing the moment.

Recalling the incident, Tinubu said a family member visited him around 3:30 a.m., asking for N50,000 to buy food. The relative blamed him for the currency crisis at the time, saying people were struggling to get cash, even a wealthy uncle of theirs couldn’t find N10,000. The man then questioned why Tinubu was still in the race, hinting that he had no chance of winning.

Despite the doubt, Tinubu handed over the money and confidently told him he would succeed. However, the encounter made him briefly consider quitting. He credited Aminu Masari and others for pushing him forward, with Masari reminding him of the support he had and urging him not to look back.

Tinubu acknowledged the tough economic challenges he faced upon taking office and the difficult decisions he had to make, including the removal of fuel subsidies. He revealed that the subsidy removal wasn’t part of his original inauguration speech but was a decision he had to make immediately.

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“I Am Not a Member of APC, Nor Am I an Intending Member” – Peter Obi Says

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Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has publicly denounced attempts to associate his name with political gatherings and narratives linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi emphasized his commitment to integrity and issue-based politics, distancing himself from toxic political practices and manipulations.

Obi’s remarks come in the wake of reports circulating on social media that mentioned his name during an APC event. He categorically stated, “I do not engage in toxic politics, blackmail, or any form of political manipulation. My name should not be associated with such narratives.”

Reaffirming his political allegiance, Obi clarified, “I am not a member of the APC, nor am I an intending member.” He underscored his belief that political parties should evaluate aspirants based on competence, capacity, and compassion—qualities he deems essential for building a better Anambra and Nigeria.

Addressing the political trajectory of Valentine Ozigbo, Obi maintained that all aspirants, including Ozigbo, should be assessed on key leadership qualities within their respective parties.

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Also, he expressed hope that elections and primaries would focus on credibility and vision, rather than descending into personal attacks or toxic narratives.

Valentine Ozigbo, a notable figure in Anambra politics, has recently made headlines for his political realignments. After contesting the 2021 Anambra governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently supporting Peter Obi’s presidential bid with the Labour Party in 2023, Ozigbo resigned from the Labour Party and joined the APC in February 2025. He cited his commitment to progressive governance and the desire to work alongside forward-thinking leaders as motivations for his defection.

Additionally, Obi emphasized the importance of fair and credible primaries, advocating for democratic processes that allow every legitimate party member a fair chance to contest without bias or blackmail. As the Anambra State governorship election approaches in November, he called on all political parties to ensure transparency and uphold justice throughout the electoral process.


 

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