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.
Media personality Dele Momodu reacts and shares his thoughts regarding First Lady Remi Tinubu interrupting the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, during a recent event.
The event was the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. In the scene, while Governor Adeleke was giving a speech, he began with a worship song. But while singing, the First Lady stood up and met him to inform him to stop singing and go directly to his speech instead.
Media personality Dele then reacted and questioned why she would do something like that, asking if she would have done the same kind of interruption if it were the recitation of the Qur’an.
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has shared that she has forgiven those who betrayed her husband during the 2023 general elections.
She revealed this as she marked a new age, reflecting on what the future holds. She emphasized that she holds no grudge against anyone.
“I do not have anything against anyone. The question is how I stopped feeling the betrayal? I knew the grace factor was evident, and the Holy Spirit continually comforted me. I chose never to avenge myself, understanding that it is God’s prerogative. Mine is to thank Him for fighting for us. If God decides to fight your battles and you have won, is there anything else that God missed and you wanted to fix? Nothing. So, let it go.”
Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of laying the groundwork to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a YouTube interview, Ibe alleged that the ruling party, led by President Bola Tinubu, has run out of achievements to show after more than two years in office. This has resorted to silencing opposition voices and critical institutions.
According to him, APC is working to weaken independent media, civil society groups, and political opponents. They insists that the clampdown is part of a wider strategy to retain power.
“They have nothing to offer after two years of holding on to the mandate,” Ibe said. “The only way left for them is to start preparing to rig, and the process is already in motion.”
Additionally, he went on to describe Nigeria’s current political climate as a drift into dictatorship, recalling the heavy price paid by activists who fought for democracy in the past.
“The democracy we’ve had since 1999 came at a huge sacrifice. Many lives were lost in the struggle,” he said. “Those heroes would be turning in their graves to see what is happening now. People like Sowore are being harassed and intimidated, and that shows where we are heading.”
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