Tag: Peter Obi

A prominent figure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has joined ongoing protests at the National Assembly in Abuja following the Senate’s rejection of the provision for mandatory electronic transmission of election results. Protesters on Monday morning converged on the National Assembly complex under the banner “Occupy National Assembly”, expressing strong opposition to the Senate’s stance on the contentious clause of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Addressing demonstrators at the protest ground, Obi criticised the Senate’s decision, urging lawmakers to allow the electoral process to run its full and natural course without unnecessary interference. “Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whatever the outcome is, we will accept it,” Obi said. “Why introduce confusion after the process?” The protest drew Nigerian youths and pro-democracy activists, who insist that electronic transmission of results is crucial to ensuring transparency, credibility, and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. A heavy security presence was observed around the National Assembly, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed to maintain order. Despite the security build-up, the protest remained peaceful as of the time of filing this report, with demonstrators calling on lawmakers to reconsider their position and reinstate the e-transmission provision in the amended Electoral Act.

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, firmly ruling out the possibility of accepting a vice-presidential slot. Obi made the declaration while speaking at a campaign event for African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates in the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, held at the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Addressing party supporters, Obi explained that his participation in the AMAC campaign was directly linked to his broader national ambition. He urged residents and party members to support the ADC candidate, noting that success at the grassroots level would strengthen his overall political project. He stressed that his involvement in future elections would be in a leading capacity and not as a supporting candidate. “Support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you,” Obi said. Obi’s declaration comes amid increasing calls from his supporters, particularly members of the Obidient Movement, who have been urging the ADC leadership to adopt him as the party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2027 election. However, the ADC is also home to other prominent figures with presidential ambitions, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, setting the stage for a competitive internal contest ahead of the polls.

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to pray for politicians, describing them as the major cause of the country’s challenges. Obi made the appeal on Sunday, February 1, during a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of St Peter, Aremo, as part of activities marking Day 7 of the Oyo State at 50 celebrations. Speaking at the church service, the former Anambra State governor said Nigeria’s problems stem largely from leadership failures rather than the actions of ordinary citizens. “I want to make a request of Nigerians. Please do remember us politicians in your prayers. We are the problem of Nigeria. No other person,” Obi said. He emphasised that Nigeria is richly endowed with resources and has the capacity to thrive, but poor governance continues to hold the country back. “Nigeria is not a poor country. It is poorly governed. Remember us in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for public good. That is what is required. If they use it, Nigeria will be good,” he added. Peter Obi’s remarks drew attention to the role of leadership and accountability in addressing Nigeria’s long-standing economic and social challenges, reinforcing his long-held position that good governance is key to national development.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the situation as disturbing and unacceptable for the nation’s seat of power. In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi faulted the federal authorities for allowing public primary schools in Abuja to remain shut while billions of naira are being spent on renovating the International Conference Centre and other high-profile infrastructure. According to him, education remains the backbone of national development and should never be treated as an afterthought. Peter Obi lamented that millions of Nigerian children are currently out of school, either due to insecurity or prolonged industrial actions by teachers, stressing that the situation in Abuja is particularly alarming. “This is particularly tragic in Abuja, the seat of government, where schools remain shuttered,” he wrote. He added that it was difficult to justify massive public spending on projects such as conference centres and bus terminals when teachers remain unpaid and children are denied access to basic education. “This is the same Abuja where billions were squandered on renovating a conference centre for the president and bus terminals,” Obi stated. “One must question whether our leaders genuinely appreciate the vital role of education.” The former Anambra State governor’s comments have reignited conversations around government priorities, public spending, and the welfare of teachers, especially in the nation’s capital, where expectations for governance standards are significantly higher. The FCT primary school teachers’ strike has left thousands of pupils out of classrooms, sparking growing public frustration and calls for urgent intervention by the authorities.