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Tag: Peter Obi

  • Nigerians deserve to know price of new presidential Jet, reason of selling old jets – Peter Obi tells Tinubu

    Nigerians deserve to know price of new presidential Jet, reason of selling old jets – Peter Obi tells Tinubu

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections,  Peter Obi, has demanded transparency from President Bola Tinubu- led administration about the details surrounding the newly purchased presidential air fleets and the status of the older jets that are being sold off.

    Obi via the microblogging platform, X former known as Twitter made the call on Tuesday night  where he emphasized the  need to provide disclosure on the acquisition process and clarify the fate of the older jets being sold off from the presidential fleet.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that purchase of the presidential air fleet has been shrouded in controversy, especially after reports of the aircraft being seized by a French court as part of a legal dispute between a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, and the Ogun State government came to light.

    The presidency came clean obout details of the jet after the French court’s involvement, despite their earlier denials and conflicting reports surrounding the purchase of the jet

    Obi said that despite all the denials and back and forth over the newly acquired presidential jet, the jet was now here, thanks to the French court that helped Nigerians get the information.

    The former presidential candidate noted the transparency and accountability should be the hallmark of any genuine leadership.

    He said, “Now that the Jet is here, can Nigerian taxpayers whose money was used to purchase it need to be privy to how much it cost and how old the aircraft is and how long its been in operation.

    “In addition, Nigerians also deserve to know about how the old jets being disposed, how many of them, how old they are, and why they are being sold. Transparency and Accountability should be the hallmark of any genuine leadership,” Obi said.

    He said that the federal government would lose nothing but respect, if it failed to provide adequate information about its leadership to the people whose money was used and whose mandate the President was holding.

    “A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president, is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet,” Obi added.

  • Peter Obi reacts to poor WAEC results, says poor funding for education is causality

    Peter Obi reacts to poor WAEC results, says poor funding for education is causality

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has lamented the poor performance by Nigeria students in the recently released results by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the results released by the examination body recorded a 7.69 per cent decrease in the performance of candidates who sat for the examination in Nigeria.

    In reaction, Obi in a statement on Monday called for an increased investment in the education sector  as he stressed that the government investment in education remains poor.

    The former Anambra governor also lamented what he called constant decline in “our educational performance and other critical areas” which he said “demands urgent attention and action.”

    He said that “with our claimed literacy rate of over 50%, we are still ranked 187 on the global scale of literacy, reflecting a visible lack of commitment to education in the country.

    “Our investment in education, as with other critical areas, remains poor.

    “A total capital expenditure for the entire education sector, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), was allocated N330.3 billion.

    “For a country with about 81,520 schools at the primary level and 23,550 schools at the secondary level, such an amount is visibly poor,” he stated.

    He pointed out that “the aggressive investment in education we made in Anambra State under my administration greatly transformed education in the State, and still bears fruits to this day.

    “I sincerely congratulate all the students who sat for the 2024 WASSCE, especially those who made impressive results.

    “I applaud their efforts, hard work, and dedication to their studies, which paid off.

    “And to their respective schools, management, staff, and teachers – I especially celebrate you all. Your contributions to the educational growth and overall development of our society remain laudable.

    “In the famous words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’.

    “Our commitment to a New Nigeria where education will be prioritised remains firm.

    “A New Nigeria is possible,” he said.

  • Kidnapping: Declare war on insecurity — Peter Obi tells government

    Kidnapping: Declare war on insecurity — Peter Obi tells government

    Following incessant reports of kidnapping across the country., the 2023 precedential candidate of Labour Party (LP) peter Obi, has called on the government to declare war against insecurity.

     In a statement on X.com on Saturday, Obi wrote, “When I say we should declare war on the economy, power, and insecurity, some people spin the narrative, while others complain. But what else can we do?

    “In the last 24 hours, several people have been kidnapped across Nigeria, including about 20 dental students from Maiduguri and Jos in Benue State.

    “An Anambra State Commissioner and his wife were abducted in Edo State, and others travelling with them were killed. These are just a few of the many tragic incidents happening across the country.”

    “We cannot continue living like this,” Obi said. “It’s time for bold action, collective resolve, and a united front against these challenges.”

    “We must declare war on this massive insecurity and other ills that threaten our society and work tirelessly to build a safer, more prosperous, and just society for all,” he added.

    His outcry comes less than 24 hours after the kidnapping of the Anambra State Commissioner for Youths Development, Patrick Aghamba, and his wife.

     

     

  • Obi reacts to kidnappings of popular commissioner, 20 medical students

    Obi reacts to kidnappings of popular commissioner, 20 medical students

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has condemned the resurgence of kidnapping across the country, stressing for quick action to arrest the deplorable situation.

    Obi who has countlessly expressed his disappointment over the sorry state of insecurity via the microblogging platform, X formerly Twitter on Saturday noted that the authorities must declare war on the massive insecurity bedeviling the country and other ills threatening the society.

    The former Anambra governor called for a rejig of the security architecture, adding that whenever he drew the attention of the poor state of the situation, his position was misconstrued and spinned to achieve a mischievous aim.

    Obi’s statement comes at the heels of an increased kidnappings, the most recent which are the 20 medical and dental students who were kidnapped on Friday in Benue State and the Commissioner for Youths Development in Anambra State, Patrick Aghamba, and his wife who were also kidnapped en route Abuja.

    Speaking the former presidential candidate, said, “When I say we should declare war on the economy, power, and insecurity, some people spin the narrative, while others complain.

    “But what else can we do? In the last 24 hours, several people have been kidnapped across Nigeria, including about 20 dental students from Maiduguri and Jos in Benue State. An Anambra State Commissioner and his wife were abducted in Edo State, and others travelling with them were killed. These are just a few of the many tragic incidents happening across the country.

    “We cannot continue living in fear, poverty, and darkness. It’s time for bold action, collective resolve, and a united front against these challenges.

    “We must declare war on this massive insecurity and other ills that threaten or society and work tirelessly to build a safer, more prosperous, and just society for all”

  • Peter Obi reacts over Nigeria’s presidential jets seized in France

    Peter Obi reacts over Nigeria’s presidential jets seized in France

    Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to react over the recent seizure in France of the presidential jets belonging to the Nigerian government.

    Reports emerged Thursday that a Chinese firm known as Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited secured an order from a Judicial Court in Paris to have the presidential jets seized.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the federal government of Nigeria has since opened up on the seized presidential jets.

    However, Mr Obi, reacting via X, has described the development as “international embarrassment”, adding that the seizure exposes the multiple dimensions to leadership failure in the country.

    Obi lamented that until a court in France prohibited Nigeria from moving or selling the three jets involved, Nigerians had no iota of information about both the buying and selling of the aircraft.

    Peter Obi wrote: “The trending international news on the seizure of three Jets belonging to Nigeria’s Presidential fleet is yet another of many embarrassing things exposing our failed leadership and our attitude to the rule of law even in a democracy.

    “It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.

    “The fact that the federal government went ahead with the jet deal despite the cacophonous cry against the purchase of a Presidential jet at this time when the people are going through a horrifying economic hardship shows the insensitivity of this administration.

    “Added to it is the embarrassing aspect of our country’s Presidential jets being held for contractual breaches arising from yet another dimension of inadequate leadership tidiness.

    “I have been loud in my demand over time that the government at all levels should be accountable to the people, meaning that they must be very transparent in all their dealings.

    “Until a court in France prohibits Nigeria from moving or selling these three jets, Nigerians have no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft.

    “It has been done in secrecy. Federal Government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset.

    “Paying as much as $100m dollars for a Presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the World and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings.

    “This incident has also opened up an aspect of indiscipline that is copiously embedded in our country which is the abuse and disrespect for the rule of law.

    “Here are questions begging for answers: To what extent did the Ogun  government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm? After the UK court ruling that prohibited some Nigeria building in Liverpool, what did both Ogun state and Federal government do before the French court action?

    “I would like to, therefore, challenge the federal government to come clean and transparent on this matter and tell Nigerians how we got to this latest international mess”.

  • Psquare: Peter Obi intervenes, visits Paul, Jude over fallout with Peter (photos)

    Psquare: Peter Obi intervenes, visits Paul, Jude over fallout with Peter (photos)

    The presidential candidate of the Labour party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi on Tuesday visited Nigerian music star, Paul Okoye and his elder brother, Jude Okoye following their fallout with  Peter Okoye.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Peter, in a statement on Monday, shared with the public his side of the story after his twin, Paul confirmed their second fallout.

    The singer in a lengthy post explained how he co-owned a management company called Northside Entertainment with his brothers, but recently came across a company with a similar name called Northside Music, which he investigated and was shocked to discover that the founder and director of the company were Jude and Ifeoma Okoye.

    This prompted his decision to involve his lawyers and instructed them to file a petition against the suspect, Jude, but told them to exclude his twin brother.

    Peter said he filed the petition because he discovered that “millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of Naira were being secretly diverted into this secret company’s account, Northside Music from our own Northside Entertainment.”

    Peter also revealed that he was left speechless when he saw Paul’s interview, alleging that he had ordered EFCC to arrest him.

    He noted how he spoke to both Paul and Jude behind the scenes on settling the issue, but they didn’t give him a positive answer, leaving him no choice but to file a petition against Jude.

    Reacting to the drama between the brothers, the former Anambra governor decided to pay them a visit.

    Sharing photos of Peter Obi’s visit to him and Jude, Paul via his Instagram some moments ago expressed gratitude to the politician and prayed for more blessings.

    He, however, did not disclosed the conversations held with the former presidential candidate.

    Sharing the photos, “Thank you very much, and God bless you, sir P.O”.

  • Olympics: Peter Obi expresses disappointment at Team Nigeria’s poor outing

    Olympics: Peter Obi expresses disappointment at Team Nigeria’s poor outing

    The presidential candidate of the  Labour Party, (LP) in the 2023 General Elections, Peter Obi has expressed disappointment in Team Nigeria over their poor outing at the Paris 2024 Olympic games.

    Despite fielding 88 athletes and numerous officials, Team Nigeria will be returning home without winning a single medal.

    Expressing his disappointment, Obi noted that the Team Nigeria’s lacklustre performance was a reflection of happenings in the Nigerian system.

    According to him, the N12bn spent on the team didn’t reflect in their performances at the competition.

    Obi made his displeasure with the team known on his official X handle.

    His Tweet reads “Now that the Paris Olympics 2024 has officially ended and our dear Team Nigeria, despite the huge financial investment made into the project, is returning without a single medal, let me unreservedly register my displeasure with the performance of our team and their handlers.

    “The rascality and recklessness that has continued to characterise leadership in our nation in nearly every department. The general impression that has come to stick is the one that portrays our country as a joke, even on the international stage.

    “At least nine African countries won gold but the giant with over 200 million people came home without even a bronze! We invested about N12 billion in this year’s Olympics, which is almost twice the amount budgeted for the entire Ministry of Science and Technology for this year.

    “We must now interrogate the relationship between this huge investment and our dismal outcome. Sad stories like this are our lot only because we have refused to embrace competence and capacity over routine and favouritism in Nigeria.

    “Let us consider the case of Favour Ofili, a Nigerian professional sprinter who trained for years for the 2024 Olympics, only for her name to be recklessly and wrongly removed from the list of athletes for the 100m race at the Olympics by Nigerian sporting authorities.

    “What explanation can anyone give about Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian hammer thrower, who was frustrated by the same rascality of some Nigerian leaders, making her switch her allegiance to the United States, where she eventually won a medal in the just completed Olympics?” He noted.

    According to Obi, Team Nigeria should come back and restrategize ahead of the next competition.

  • Nigeria doesn’t need someone like Peter Obi – Deji Adeyanju

    Nigeria doesn’t need someone like Peter Obi – Deji Adeyanju

    A socio-political activist Deji Adeyanju has said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last election, Peter Obi is not the best leader for Nigeria.

    There have been mentions from some Nigerians suggesting that Peter Obi should run for the presidency again in 2027.

    But dring an appearance on ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast, Adeyanju emphasised the need for a strong leader and implied that Peter Obi does not fit this description.

    He described Obi as “just a decent and nice guy.”

    He claimed that Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, embodies the type of leader that Nigerians need.

    He said, “You don’t need a Peter [Obi]. Peter is just a decent guy, nice guy… Nigeria needs somebody that the idea of him coming alone, they [corrupt people] have already run away.

    “Because the bad eggs in the system, in the police, army and civil service, they need somebody that would teach them a lesson for their bad behaviour. And right now there’s no such person.

    “If someone like Omoyele Sowore by divine providence becomes President; before he is sworn in, Nigeria will empty. All the politicians will run away.

    “[Former Head of State] Abdulsalami Abubakar said it during a peace accord. He said, ‘Sowore, if you enter [the presidency], all of us are finished.”

  • Obi to Tinubu, ‘Your telecast failed to address harsh realities, critical issues that triggered protest”

    Obi to Tinubu, ‘Your telecast failed to address harsh realities, critical issues that triggered protest”

    The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, has reacted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broadcast to the nation, saying the address failed to address the issues that triggered the protest.

    Writing on his X handle on Monday titled ‘My Response to the President’s Address’ the LP standards bearer said,

    “Having led the call for the President to address the nation and respond to the demands of the people, and having listened to the belated speech, I needed to delay my response to see if my understanding of the address was aligned with
    others.

    “I hesitated to respond immediately, as I felt it could have been perceived as another attempt by Peter Obi to sway public opinion, especially since I was initially accused of sponsoring the protest.

    “However, I must begin by thanking the President for finally addressing the people, albeit belatedly, which might have prevented the unnecessary loss of innocent lives, including those of our security agents.

    “While I had hoped that, in consoling the families of those who lost their loved ones in the protest, he would also show some empathy towards those who were injured, arrested, and detained due to the overzealous and unprofessional conduct of some security operatives,
    this was unfortunately not the case.

    “It is the responsibility of the government to identify criminal elements attempting to disrupt the protest through looting and other unlawful behaviours and to protect those genuinely exercising their democratic rights.
    “Nigeria must embrace all tenets of democracy, including the right to protest, without selective adherence. I also appreciate his condemnation of the ethnic bigotry being propagated by some individuals against other ethnic groups.
    “However, I had hoped for more decisive action, such as the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, to demonstrate that such intolerance will not be tolerated in today’s Nigeria.

    “The President’s address regrettably appeared disconnected from the harsh realities faced by the people and failed to address critical issues that initially triggered the protest. It either reflects a lack of awareness among his advisers regarding the scale of anger, hunger, and hardship in the country, or a deliberate choice to disregard it. At this point, I strongly advise the President to distance himself from sycophants and surround himself with individuals who will present the unvarnished truth.

    “While the President’s speech focused on the past, the people are concerned with the present and the future.

    ” He should begin by addressing pressing issues such as the exorbitant cost of governance, measures to tackle corruption, the high cost of living, and directing resources effectively towards critical areas like health, education, and poverty alleviation.

    “I respectfully reiterate that the President should declare a war on insecurity, the economy, poverty, unemployment, and the power sector.
    “Persistent issues of corruption and mismanagement of public funds must be addressed decisively. As is done in other nations during such times, regular briefings, whether quarterly or biannually, from the President are essential to clearly communicate the visible and verifiable measures being taken to revive the nation from its current state of hopelessness, restore hope, and rebuild trust in our country.

    “I also humbly request that the President reduce the repetition of how dire the situation is; every Nigerian is already aware of the extent of the problems. Mr President, you and your team were elected not just to witness the protests but to alleviate the suffering of the people.

    “Nigerians do not expect the President to solve the nation’s problems overnight, but we do expect a concerted effort to address the mismanagement of public resources, reduce the high cost of governance, and tackle issues like insecurity, corruption, electricity, agriculture, and productivity to set the country on a path to recovery and growth. By doing so, the President can restore hope and rekindle the people’s faith in our dear country Nigeria.
    A new Nigeria is Possible”.

  • I witnessed a tragic event that will forever be etched in my memory – Peter Obi recounts how Onyeka Onwenu died

    I witnessed a tragic event that will forever be etched in my memory – Peter Obi recounts how Onyeka Onwenu died

    The presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has recounted the tragic passing of Nigerian music legend, Onyeka Onwenu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the 72-year-old music icon had died at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos after she slumped while performing at the birthday party of popular socialite, Mrs. Stella Okoli.

    Obi, who was amongst the notable guest present at the event said he witnessed the late singer performed, after which collapsed after drinking some water.

    The former Anambra governor noted that it was a beautiful performance, but little did they know it would be her final bow.

    Narrating the experience, he wrote; “Yesterday provided a very devastating moment for me as I witnessed a tragic event that will forever be etched in my memory. I was present at the event where the iconic song star, Onyeka Onwenu, performed a couple of her songs ending up with her famous song,

    ”One Love Keep Us Together’. It was a beautiful performance, but little did we know it would be her final bow. Just about a few minutes after her performance, she sat down and drank some water and immediately collapsed, and was rushed to the hospital.

    “I followed her to the hospital. I watched in pain as the doctors and medical staff fought tirelessly and battled to save her life , doing everything possible to bring her back to life but eventually came out with the sad news that she was gone. Despite their valiant efforts,

    “She sadly passed away after over two hours of intense struggle. My heart goes out to her children and family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. May we find the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.”

    Obi who condoled with the late singer’ family described her as a ‘’national treasure, a shining star who inspired generations with her music, activism, and strong dedication to the arts.’’

    He noted that the late singer death is a tremendous loss for the entire nation, saying she would be deeply missed.

    He said: “I want to thank everyone who together with us accompanied her to the hospital yesterday. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs John Momoh, Mr and Mrs Okonkwo, and Mr Okpara, who were with her during her last moments. Governor Alex Otti joined us also and

    “Mr. Femi Ajayi who equally returned to the hospital this morning when we had to finalized everything about her passing. May her soul rest in peace and may her legacy continue to inspire and unite us all.

    “My condolences to her family, the entertainment industry, and the nation at large. May we find solace in the memories we shared with her and the impact she had on our lives.”