₦airaland Forum

KingKO22:
We don't want Nigeria of Anambra development


All we want is Nigeria of Lagos

Here's my article published on The Economist today. I outlined my broad vision for a New Nigeria and paid tribute to the #Obidients working tirelessly to actualise our collective dreams for a better country.

Thank you, everyone.

#PeterObi 🇳🇬

Nigeria witnessed several events last year that shook it to the core. These included militia attacks, abductions and extrajudicial killings. Terrorists stormed a state-run train heading out of Abuja, our country’s capital, and abducted scores of travellers. A militant group staged a daring prison break at a major prison in Abuja. The violence dominated headlines throughout the year, and our security agencies appeared hapless.

At the same time, our state-owned universities were shut for eight months as the union for academic staff faced off with the federal government over decades-old unmet promises. Nigeria’s crude-oil revenue plummeted from a steady average of $3bn a month in 2014 to nothing last year as oil theft rose dramatically. That is devastating for a country as dependent as Nigeria is on crude-oil sales. The structure of our economy makes such theft a matter of national security.

In response to these events, our productivity dropped, investors fled and our growth shrivelled. There’s a direct relationship between the state of our country and the quality of its leadership. Our federal government has failed to secure the country, protect our economy and secure the future of our youth.

With an estimated population of 217m sitting at the heart of Africa, a dominant youthful population made up of the brightest and bravest in the world, unlimited capacity for economic growth and the potential to lead Africa, Nigeria is worth saving. And I believe I am the right person to guide it to recovery.

Last year wasn’t all gloom. We had cheery news headlines created by our youth. Our star athlete, Tobiloba Amusan, made us proud with her record-breaking performances at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, and an impressive outing at the African Championships. She is among the world’s best athletes and Africa’s number one in track and field. Other young Nigerians amazed with their sporting feats, too.

Nigeria should learn from the passion and dedication of its young people on the field and in the streets. Our youth have protested to show that they are tired of the status quo in leadership and are taking their country back. Their anger is not irrational. For decades, Nigeria’s political class, in collaboration with other elites, has been unimaginably corrupt and reckless with the management of the country. And a generation of politicians with narrow and dismissive views of the younger generation has ruled Nigeria for the past eight years. They have unleashed lethal force on young protesters even as the youth spoke out against the indignities of living in their own country.

The prevailing sentiment, not just among the youth but across all demographics, is that the Nigerian government is not for the people. Yet most of the politicians clamouring to take the helm this year are key players in this rejected establishment. The leaders have behaved in a manner that has eroded public trust, and it’s time to change the politicians who took part in creating this carnage. I have nothing but respect for Nigerians and a special dose for the young among them. We have an imperative to fix what’s wrong with our leadership, beginning with the recruitment process.

In a matter of days, Nigerians will be voting for their next president, who will be tasked with the responsibility of steering the country out of its current devastating predicament.

My message to Nigerians has been consistent. We must return to a culture of accountability, transparency and prudence in public office by adhering to policies and mechanisms that include rules, guidelines, codes of conduct, policies and laws designed to provide checks and balances in our systems. These include the Public Procurement Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act of 1991, federal financial regulations and other laws enacted for accountability across different sectors of the economy. Such acts should be, and will be, properly enforced without exception.

We must get our public services and social systems working again by giving local government authorities more independence. They should be empowered to shape and execute public policies in the 774 local government areas in the country. They should focus on improving infrastructure everywhere and expanding access to high-speed internet in both rural and urban areas. To get public systems working, we will have to address the electricity crisis in the country. We will provide a steady electricity supply by upgrading related infrastructure, passing legislation and demanding accountability in the power industry.

We must cultivate our expansive landmass, particularly in northern Nigeria, and bring about the most extensive agricultural revolution the world has ever seen. That will take investment in agricultural technologies and innovation, and the passage of legislation that upgrades and enhances agricultural production in Nigeria. What we need to create is an enabling environment for farmers and the industry to improve yield, increase access to markets and develop sophisticated supply chains.

We must deploy an economic-recovery plan that taps into our vast resources by expanding our internally generated revenues. We should move beyond our dependence on the money from oil and gas and shift from consumption to production. Our focus will be on generating revenue from technology, agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing while promoting business investments and consumer spending.

We must entrench a culture of productivity by providing business grants and interest-free loans that enable enterprising Nigerians to contribute to our nation’s economic prosperity. They can create and run enterprises and train the next generation to create wealth. We will entrench a culture of productivity by passing laws that allocate resources to enable industries to thrive.

We must persuade our brightest young people not to leave the country by opening up the economy, promoting privatisation and creating entrepreneurial opportunities. Our startups can efficiently serve the African and global markets if we remove restrictions and bureaucracy. We will upgrade and improve our educational systems to ensure that young Nigerians have access to the best teaching and that it is fit for purpose. Science and technology will be critical to our success. We must also open old and new spaces for our women to contribute more.

We must prioritise investment in education and health care in our careful spending of tax revenue. Unaccountability, waste and corruption have left government coffers increasingly empty. That must change. In addition, adequate security and legislative measures will be implemented to end oil theft effectively. Doing all this will provide the needed resources to redress failings in education and health care.

We must tackle our security challenges through a holistic approach in four key areas: digital security, economic security, physical security and social security. The country’s borders will be secured to ensure orderly migration while strengthening local law enforcement and protecting against military threats. We will defend our country and its citizens from cybercrime by upgrading Nigeria’s digital security apparatus and protecting people’s identities.

To ensure economic security, we will protect our financial markets and trade and promote the rule of law. At the same time, we will maintain an approach to competition that creates a level playing field for all and encourages enterprise and growth. Civil liberties and citizens’ rights will be protected. These actions will remedy Nigeria’s security challenges and ensure we transition to a secure society where all can pursue happiness.

My running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and I are committed to providing the kind of leadership that Nigerians yearn for: leadership that believes in the dignity of every Nigerian; leadership with the moral fibre and courage to confront the cabals holding the country hostage; leadership with a well-intentioned strategy for delivering our vision for a united Nigeria that works for all and leaves nobody behind.

Nothing gives us more hope of this possibility than the organic movement for a new Nigeria, driven by its young people, who say that they are inspired by my candidacy and message of possibilities. They call themselves the Obidients, and I am their biggest admirer. ■
_______________

Peter Obi is a Nigerian businessman who served two terms as governor of the state of Anambra. He is the candidate for the Labour Party running to be Nigeria’s president. The election will take place on February 25th.

Mindlog:
That was the intention....to get a reaction from the Finnish government and draw Finns' attention to Ekpa, googling him up then some people will then start carrying placards in Finland denouncing him, he would be in the public eye and would be forced to explain to the Finn public that is known to not be in tune with armed conflict, why it is okay for him to live in Finland while he fuels killings where he comes from.😆😆😆

Religion: He is Muslim, his Vice is a Muslim and they both want to take over from a Muslim. In a country like ours with about 50% Christians, they are simply saying that the North has no Christians. And to make it more obvious, El Rufia in one of his recent interviews described the northern Christians as an "enclave".

1. With the conditions of Nigeria right now, no sensible person should be talking about a walking corpse and dangerously corrupt thief like Tinubu. Tinubu ruled Lagos and converted it into his personal business and piggy bank, and that same thief ironically becomes the hero of Yoruba Muslims. I'm in shock, they don't deserve a nation.

2. Tinubu's health is a serious concern and right now the warning given to his supporters is to stop taking and posting unedited pictures or videos to avoid public outrage. The man is half-dead and miserably struggling to remain in public but for tribalistic and selfish reasons, these beastly supporters don't care what the fate of Nigeria will be with such old, tired deadman. They just want to hang it on Nigeria's neck because of greed and tribalism while our suffering continues.

3. One good turn deserves another. Tinubu no doubt was among the loud voices who swore to Ogun, Sango and other dangerous gods and goddesses telling Nigerians how Messianic Buhari was. Today, the reality is better left untold. We are struggling to survive and our lives in grave danger.

4. Tinubu has dangerous life of drug peddling and businesses that he is placed among the most dangerous drug dealers of the underworld which earns him the name EscoBAT. Shockingly enough, American investigations are providing evidences and Tinubu is not telling Nigerians how he got into the whirlwind of drug crimes. He just believes Nigerians are stupid and any thief can be shielded by tribe and religion to loot the treasury.

5. Millions of Nigerians have died or disappeared, unaccounted number in captivity including his kinsmen. Tinubu knowing the enormity of the problems he created by joining to foist Buhari on Nigerians would have been remorseful and joined in solution instead of going with Emi Lo Kan slogan which makes Nigeria look like a hopeless and wayward nation. Is it not ridiculous that the a dead person believes he can save the living?

6. Tinubu is not a nationalist. According to Goodluck Jonathan's proverb, an honest man sells a goat and the rope on the goat's neck but Tinubu sells a goat and still holds the rope on the neck of the goat he has sold. This is very dangerous. To make this clearer, Osibanjo must forever bow and eat Tinubu's poo and can be destroyed for trying to be free Tinubu's aprons. Watch all the so-called people Tinubu claims to have helped, they are in danger of Tinubu's venom- Ambode, Fashola, Osibanjo to name just a few. It is a clear case.of the devil's gift.

7. Tinubu's corruption charges are too smelly. From his primary, secondary certificates to Alpha Beta and other allegations. Tinubu doesn't need or respect clean records. In short, for Tinubu Nigeria needs a person with the worst records. He can't step down for superior integrity, he can only step down for superior criminality.

8. Politics of life or death. Tinubu doesn't seem to spare any evil in achieving his political ends. He is being fingered in the death of top Yoruba politicians including his rival Funso William.

9. Bullion Van Politics: It is the most daring act of looting, money laundering and heartless voting buying in history. How can a man like Tinubu fight corruption with this mindset that money could be moved in bullion vans to location of choice? Who will obey the government of a common thief? This is the direct opposite of what we pray against in Nigeria. He is avoiding anything related to corruption because he is the most corrupt politician alive.

10. Lastly, Nigerian cannot build a democracy of injustice, tribalism and hate. Every tribe has its uniqueness and peculiarity. It is against nature to insist people must be like you or reason like you to be accepted. That is being unreasonable and illiberal. Buhari failed because of nepotism and similar evil has befallen Tinubu who believes Peter Obi and Igbo people are his problem. Tinubu's needs serious medical help because the spirit of nationhood knows no tribe as bigger,richer or places restrictions. I always believe Tinubu suffers from severe megalomania and has fed his followers with poo that they see Tinubu as their future. They fail to understand that Tinubu is the most disadvantaged in this election, trapped and pressed narrowly in the north by Atiku and overshadowed in the south Obi. That people choose to ignore you, doesn't make you a jagaban. Learn some wisdom. No king crowns himself. An old man who causes trouble and not pushed to the ground will pride in his strength and set the village on fire.

Ttalk:
We masses urchins will repay you. From the North to the South, West and East, we will vote massively for Tinubu serial criminal, Mazi Emilokan of Anambra

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos governor who has been touted as one of the most influential politicians in the South West region, appears to have confirmed suspicion that he doesn’t have President Muhammadu Buhari’s full support to emerge as the country’s next president.

The spokesperson for his presidential campaign council, Bayo Onanuga, provided the clue while reacting to the Buhari administration’s refusal to obey the Supreme Court’s order to suspend enforcement of the February 10 currency swap deadline.

The policy is partly aimed at politicians who have stockpiled billions of illicit funds for vote buying at the polls.

Both Buhari and Tinubu are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and it is expected that the president would naturally support his party’s flagbearer to succeed him in 2023.

Onanuga, in a tweet on Thursday, however, suggested that although President Buhari has publicly supported Tinubu and led his recent campaigns to some states, the president’s body language says otherwise.

“Tinubu’s past support for Buhari should translate to Buhari’s support for Tinubu in 2023. According to Prophet Muhammed (PBOH): “If anyone does you a kindness, recompense him; but if you have not the means to do so, pray for him until you feel that you have compensated him,” said Onanuga who is the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC presidential campaign council.

Bayo Onanuga reacts to Buhari’s state broadcast.
While Buhari has expressed support for Tinubu’s ambition at different points, some of his statements have been described as the most reliable indicators that he may not want the former governor to succeed him.

In his state broadcast on the naira redesign policy on Thursday, Buhari repeated his message to Nigerians to vote for whomever they like from whichever political party during the February 25 presidential election.

“I urge every citizen therefore, to go out to vote for their candidates of choice without fear, because security shall be provided and your vote shall count,” said the president.

Ireportlive:
When you visit a market, you expect crowd

Jostoman:
We will not tell you now so wait till on 25th

BATified2023:
u igbos did more than this during nnamdi kanu madness

Your body go soon calm down

ScamHunter:
This nigger is a pain in the ass to balablu blu blu bulaaba

Slayed agbado and mikano with one stone
A true hero of denocrazy

BATified2023:
emeka

All these lies have been debunked many times

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said that his reason for going to the markets as part of his campaign is his emphasis to return Nigeria from a consumption to a production country because functional markets are the roots.

Obi disclosed this during a one-on-one interview on Channels TV on Monday night.

The LP presidential candidate speaking on the economic ideas and implementation strategies of his campaign noted, “My reason for going to markets is simple.

“I have always said we need to be able to go back from consumption to production, you can’t talk about doing that without roots to the functional markets.

“I need to interact with traders and business people, and visit industrialists, agriculturalists hearing what is their problem and be able to promise them of better times to come.

Speaking on his plan agenda on the economy should he be elected as president for these small-scale businesses, the LP’s presidential candidate remarked, “the greatest employer of labour, the greatest productive area in any economy is Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. From China to India and Indonesia, they are all driven by the same economy.

Reeling statistics on world working economies, the former Anambra governor pointed out that in a country like Indonesia, almost over 90 per cent of the businesses are in this sector in terms of employment, they are creating over 70 per cent of the employment, in China, over 60 per cent, a similar situation in Vietnam, these are countries that are doing very well today and a very productive and export-geared.

He stated, “I believe that you need to study and listen to this session because they will propel what we went to achieve. For me, the commitment to pull people out of poverty is immeasurable.

“What governments in Nigeria have not done in the past is to look at where they are coming and where they are standing.

“For example, in 2012, unemployment was about 10 to 12 per cent but today, it has risen to about 33 per cent.

“Our monetary poverty was 55 million. 33 per cent today is about 95 million, and of course, multi-dimensional poverty has increased to 133 million.

ednut1:
Bandits seem to be on vacation this period

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi is the most popular candidate among the major contenders seeking to become the nation’s next president, a new poll conducted by the Kwakol Research Institute has revealed.

The research agency used several parameters to arrive at its conclusion — for example, the issue of income classification, educational background, work status, and sex were factors used in arriving at its conclusion.

According to the poll, the LP presidential candidate was the ideal choice for more than 50 percent of respondents, including women, the unemployed, civil servants, private sector participants, and students, especially those in tertiary institutions.

Unlike most polls, Kwakol gathered most of its responses from rural dwellers.

“It is important to note that, unlike the majority of the polls in Nigeria, we polled more registered voters in rural Nigeria than registered voters in semi-urban Nigeria and urban Nigeria, respectively,” it stated.

In summation, 52.80 percent of respondents said that they would vote for the Labour Party, 18.9 percent said they would vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 15.6 percent said they would vote for the All Progressives Congress, and 10.4 percent said that they would vote for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

It must be pertinent to note that respondents in the exercise cut across the six geopolitical zones and income backgrounds. The spread of the poll had 45 percent of respondents residing in rural areas, while semi-urban areas narrowly edged out urban respondents by a point, with them taking up 28 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

A further breakdown showed that the agency agreed with popular census figures of the numerical strength of the North-West and South-West geopolitical zones, with the spread resulting in 25.27 percent and 19 percent, respectively, while the South-South and South-East ended up with 13.44 percent and 12.13 percent, respectively.

Obi gained more acceptance with young people who fell within the age bracket of 18 to 69, with 56 percent of those within the age range of 35 to 49 years and with valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) saying that they would vote for him at the February 25 election.

Across the occupational background divide, over 70 percent of respondents working in the private sector said that they would vote for Obi and his party (LP). This performance was closely followed by civil servants, whose 66.9 percent of respondents said that they would vote for him as president in next week’s Saturday election. 53.4 percent of the students said they would vote for him. This was closely followed by 52.3 percent of unemployed respondents who said they would vote for him.

Another interesting revelation from the Kwakol poll revealed that over 67 percent of respondents earning above N200,000 said that they would vote for Obi. This result was closely followed by the 64.5 percent of respondents who earned between N101,000 and N200,000 and said that they would vote for Obi.

The poll also revealed that over 53 percent of female respondents said that they would vote for Obi, a figure that is more than the APC, PDP, and NNPP figures combined. Despite a slight gender gap, 52.61 percent of male respondents said they would vote for the Obi.

Another parameter used in the analysis revealed that an overwhelming 64.41 percent of respondents with at most a tertiary education said that they would vote for Obi and his Labour Party in next week’s presidential election. The least surprising finding was that 30 percent of uneducated respondents said they would vote for Obi and the Labour Party in next week’s presidential election.

Below is the graphical representation of the collated data: