Tag: Obi

Peter Obi reacts to Tinubu’s long convoy, says “leaders must show example”

Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election has reacted to the trending videos on social media space showing President Bola Tinubu’s long convoy in Lagos, stating that leaders who ask followers to sacrifice for a better Nigeria must also lead by example. Obi spoke on Thursday at St Faith Cathedral, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Awka, during the burial Mass of the late Dean Emeritus of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa, who died at 83.

President Tinubu and Peter Obi According to Peter Obi, there was a need to cut down on the cost of governance, and that has always been his position about governance. He said: “I have not seen the video you talked about, but let me tell you what I have always said: that present Nigeria requires that all those who serve and lead must do so by example. “The behaviour, character, and public conduct of those who serve must be in consonance with what society requires today. You cannot continue to preach to the people to sacrifice without sacrificing. “The sacrifice must start with the leaders, visibly, measurably at all times, because the people are suffering and we must all be at the forefront of the suffering.” Obi, while speaking on the life of the late Archbishop Anikwenwa, said: “He is not just a pastor of God, but a great Nigerian who contributed to this country beyond his pastoral work in building a better Nigeria. “He is involved in advocating for a better Nigeria, good governance, and others. He was a great Nigerian and a great Igbo man, and I am not surprised about the number of people at [this] burial ceremony today.” Earlier, several prominent Nigerians, including; Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, his deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, Senator Victor Umeh, and Archbishop Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Dr Chibuzo Ibezim, paid tribute to Anikwenwa. Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr Henry Ndukuba, described Anikwenwa as a soldier of Christ, saying that he is a rich reservoir of knowledge and church history. “He was a man who did all to please God, a soldier of Christ indeed. His death is not just a loss to the diocese but to the church and the country at large, as he holds a special award of the country. “He was a disciplinarian and a great timekeeper, and he was always mindful of it. I call on his wife and children to be comforted by the fact that Baba lived a great life.”

Peter Obi reacts to demolition of buildings in Lagos by govt

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has condemned the recent demolition of some buildings in Lagos State and other parts of the country by the government, saying that Nigerian citizens should not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Obi who expressed his displeasure via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, agreed that some of the demolitions might be excusable but had left many victims, mostly ordinary people, who are either innocently ill-informed or misguided.

Peter Obi Obi said the primary duty of any government is to care for and protect its citizens. The former Anambra State governor advised that “necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments, need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.” He stated, “In Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of stagnated income, spiralling inflation, huge unemployment escalating socio-economic costs and high costs of living. “Nigerian citizens should, therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation to those who have lost properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions to ameliorate their suffering. Such compensation should fall under the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable to properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest. “It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens.” Recall that the Lagos Government had on June 16 begun the removal of what it described as distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market located in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state. The enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA and the Lagos State Task Force embarked on the joint exercise. Following the controversy that trailed the exercise, the government insisted that the exercise was a measure to prevent disaster. However, Obi maintained that Nigerian citizens should not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. The statement reads, “Recently, there have been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error. “We face a paradox: with a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help by building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores. “Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities. “While some of these ongoing demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided. Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments need not be punitive or unduly insensitive. “There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action. I respectfully appeal to various governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion.”

buildings demolition govt Lagos Obi PETER Reacts

Peter Obi blames leadership failure for high rate of abuse

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has blamed the high rate of drug abuse, poverty and frustration, peer-group pressure among the youths and the high rate of unemployment in the country on leadership failure. Obi was reacting to a report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria, indicating that 14.4% of citizens aged between 15 and 64 abuse drugs said is significantly higher than the global average of 5.6%.

Peter Obi According to the United Nations, the world drug problem is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recognizes the importance of taking a people-centred approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices. Obi, a former Anambra State governor in a statement, noted that the attendant health conditions from drug abuse are unimaginable, including an epidemic of mental health cases and incidents of suicidal behaviour among youth. His statement is coming on the heels of the World International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. While praising the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their tireless efforts in combating the drug abuse menace in the country, the Labour Party presidential candidate, in a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday, said more needs to be done by the government in rescuing the youths from a further slide into drug addiction. “On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we are reminded of the lingering menace of drug abuse among our youths and the need to take consistent actions to defeat it. “A report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria indicates that 14.4% of Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs. This is significantly higher than the global average of 5.6%. “The leadership failure in the country, high rate of poverty and frustration, peer-group pressure among the youths, high rate of unemployment etc, are some of the main factors fuelling drugs and substance abuse among the youths. “The attendant health conditions that result from drug abuse are unimaginable. They include an epidemic of mental health cases and incidents of suicidal behaviour among youth. While we appreciate the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their tireless efforts in combating the drug abuse menace in the country, more needs to be done by the government in rescuing the youths – our productive workforce from a further slide into drug addiction. “By not stigmatising our people who have fallen into drug addiction, and putting measures in place to prevent more people from getting caught in the deadly web, we will gradually stamp out this societal ill. “I have always maintained that the New Nigeria will be anchored on our youth population and productivity. We must ensure that our youths are free from all forms of drug abuse and trafficking in illicit substances,” Obi said.

ABUSE blames failure HIGH Leadership Obi PETER rate

Portable steps up to compete with Obi Cubana’s empire, launches Zazuu bitters (Video)

Portable steps up to compete with his Obi Cubana's empire, launches Zazuu bitters (Video)

Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, a controversial Nigerian street singer, is poised to rival his former boss, Obi Cubana, as he ventures into the realm of herbal drinks. Portable, who previously served as a brand ambassador for Obi Cubana’s Odogwu Bitters, is currently developing his own herbal alcoholic brand called Zazuu Bitters.

A photo of Portable in the factory of his new partnership. Photo credit: @portablebaeby Source: Instagram Taking to his Instagram page, Portable shared the exciting news of his new business venture, revealing that he has entered into a partnership and established his brand in Ogun State. Despite his new undertaking, Portable expressed gratitude to Obi Cubana for serving as his inspiration and pledged his unwavering loyalty to him.

A photo of Portable with the alleged staff of his new partnership with Zazuu Drinks. Photo Credit: @portablebaeby. Source: Instagram He wrote; “O tun ti ZEH oooo. Akoi Grace… Akoi ZAZUU BITTERS. I’m now a partner with ZAZUU BITTERS located in Ogun State. Ika of Africa, the newborn FELA Anikuleti 1 street, Ti take over ZEH nation many many inspiration. I still remain loyal to my boss wey show me road @obi_cubana. If not for you no way for me.” As Portable prepares to introduce Zazuu Bitters to the market, fans and industry observers eagerly await the unveiling of the new brand. See below; Singer Portable signs a partnership with Zaazu Bitters, a company that used his name to make a bitter drink pic.twitter.com/Tx5E5cqtr4 — GistReel.Com (@GistReel) June 25, 2023

bitters compete Cubanas Empire LAUNCHES Obi Portable steps Video Zazuu

Peter Obi closes case against Tinubu

Mr Peter Obi and his Labour Party (LP) on Friday closed their petition before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu. Obi and LP are complainants in the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023, challenging the election which brought Tinubu to power on May 29.

Respondents in the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and All Progressives Congress (APC). The petitioners were given 21 days to prove their case against the respondents before the court. They told the court that they would call 50 witnesses to prove their case, but as they were closing on Friday, they called only 13 witnesses. Earlier, Counsel to the petitioners, Livy Uzoukwu SAN, informed the court that their 12th witness, Yunusa Tanko, was in court to be cross-examined by the respondents. Counsel to the respondents are Kemi Pinhero SAN for INEC, Wole Olanipakun SAN for Tinubu and Shettima, while Lateef Fagbemi SAN represented APC. The 12th witness (PW12) was Yunusa Tanko, member of LP Situation Room, who testified and some documents were tendered through him. Being cross-examined by INEC, the witness told the court that the results given to them were mutilated and not readable. When asked by Olanipekun how many party agents his party had during the election, he said over 130,000 while there were 176,974 polling units through the federation. Tanko was also asked what he wanted the court to do with the 12 states where LP won and what would happen to Atiku Abubakar, who was declared 2nd. He said that he was challenging the entire results of the election because, after four months of the election, the results are still being downloaded from the IreV. When asked by Fagbemi why he did not provide the number of unlawful votes, he claimed that their expert had already given evidence on the number of disputed votes. The respondents tendered through the witness judgments of Federal High Court, with FHC/ABJ/1454/2022, delivered on Jan. 23, 2023, concerning LP vs INEC. Tendered also was a SC/CV/501/2023, Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 26, 2023, between PDP and INEC with three others. The petitioners objected to the admissibility of the documents and reserved their reason in their final written addresses. The court however admitted and marked the documents as exhibits. Peter Yari, PW 13 , an ad-hoc staff of INEC, also gave his evidence. Counsel for the petitioners, Uzoukwu after the testimony of PW13, informed the court that they are closing their case. The respondents prayed the court to give them till next week to go home and celebrate the Sallah with their families and come back by July 3 to open their case. The five-member panel presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until July 3, for the respondents to open their case. NAN

CASE closes Obi PETER TINUBU

APC campaign coordinator begs Peter Obi, Atiku to withdraw case against Tinubu

Dr. Ene Ogbole, a former coordinator in the dissolved All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, has pleaded with the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to withdraw their cases against President Bola Tinubu from the election petition tribunal. Ogbole made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, charging both parties to join Tinubu in his quest for a government of national unity.

A collage photo of President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar She said, “Even though we are aware that it is the fundamental right of all aggrieved candidates to seek redress in the court of law, in the national interest we wish to use this avenue to crave the indulgence of all aggrieved candidates including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi who are seeking for redress in the tribunal to withdraw their litigations against the president and join hands with him in the proposed national unity and all-inclusive government. “We are saying this confidently because we can see from all indications that the Tinubu-led administration is ready to work assiduously to install peace, development, and progress in Nigeria. We are certain that the priority of all candidates of other political parties is to do the same selflessly in the national interest since Tinubu is playing out their intentions they could and should go a step further to synergize with him to achieve the same patriotic purpose in the national interest.” Her appeal is coming hours after Atiku called up a digital forensic expert, Mr Hitler Nwala, who testified that the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, deleted Presidential Election results on all the 110 BVAS machines he inspected. Nwala asserted that his findings show that the election results of the Federal Capital Territory during the presidential elections were deliberately deleted from the BVAS machine. But the former coordinator of Tinubu’s campaign council stated that the only way to prove to the world that Obi and Atiku’s struggles are not personal or for selfish gain is for them to withdraw their cases from the court and work together with the president to actualise his ‘Renewed Hope’ promises to Nigerians. According to her, Tinubu’s government has proven beyond every reasonable doubt to be transformational in nature with huge potential to reunite and reposition Nigeria for a breakthrough. “The present administration is doing excellent well already as evident in most of the nation-building steps he has embarked on such as the fuel subsidy removal, the education bill that was signed to law, the display of uncommon fairness and equity in the appointment of keys principal office holders and of course, his monitory and economic policies only to mention but a few. “We are also using this opportunity to call on all our elder statesmen from across the length and breadth of Nigeria to swiftly without further delays invite all aggrieved parties to a round table meeting and appeal to them not to subvert the will of the people through distractions but to join hands with the government that was willingly elected by Nigerians to change their story through unprecedented development for the betterment of all and Sundry. “You will agree with us that it is certainly not the time for further distractions; it is time to move Nigeria forward in a positive direction. This is a call for a unity government in the national interest,” she said. A former presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party in the build-up to the 2023 election, Cesnabmihilo Nihu-Aken’Ova also joined her voice in making the same appeal, saying the outcome of the poll was evident that the former Lagos governor won it. “It was clear that Tinubu won this election. Those going to court are wasting our time from what we have seen so far. We have passed the stage of the campaign and even Atiku and Obi’s candidates at the governorship and National Assembly level have all been sworn in. I am speaking from my own point of view as a presidential aspirant,” she said.

APC ATIKU begs campaign CASE coordinator Obi PETER TINUBU withdraw

“114% salary increase for Tinubu, Shettima not appropriate now” ― Peter Obi

The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has condemned the alleged recent approval of a 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, lawmakers, as well as judicial and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC. Obi lamented that this is not the appropriate time for such salary increment if it is necessary, arguing that Nigerians are struggling with many harsh economic realities, and with over 130 million Nigerians living in poverty.

Peter Obi In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, Obi argued that “one would have expected the leaders and public officeholders to focus on cutting the cost of governance and alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians”. He added that leaders should prioritize what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over themselves. Obi wrote, “I learnt with great reservation, the approval of a 114% increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). “This is not the appropriate time for such salary increment if it is at all necessary. We are living in a time when an average Nigerian is struggling with many harsh economic realities, and with over 130 million Nigerians now living in poverty. This is a moment when recent reform measures by the government have increased living costs astronomically. “One would expect the leaders and public officeholders to focus on cutting the cost of governance, alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians. This moment calls for creative ways of pulling the majority out of poverty. “In the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceaser, ‘What touches us ourself shall be last served.’ “The leaders, therefore, should prioritize what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over themselves. “The sacrifice, at this time in our nation, should be borne by the leaders. The increment should be reversed immediately, and the savings should be devoted to fixing education, healthcare and poverty alleviation especially in the remote rural areas.”

increase Obi PETER salary Shettima TINUBU

INEC claims Peter Obi is asking for non-existent documents in petition against Tinubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has claimed that some documents requested by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) at the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi to be presented as exhibits at the Presidential Election Tribunal are non-existent. Obi and the Labour Party (LP) are challenging the Feb. 25 election of President Bola Tinubu before the court in a petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023.

Peter Obi and INEC Chairman Respondents in the petition are INEC, President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and their All Progressives Congress (APC). Giving evidence before the court, Mr Lawrence Bayode, Deputy Director, ICT at INEC told the court that out of the five documents Obi asked for; two were non-existent, while one was work in progress. One of Obi’s witnesses, Ms Loretta Ogah, an ICT cloud engineer, said she contested election into the House of Representatives on the platform of Labour Party in Cross River, but lost the election. Ogah was cross-examined by Mr Wole Olanipakun (SAN), counsel for Tinubu and Shettima. She told the court that she sued INEC after her loss because the electoral umpire did not list her name on its portal as a result of network failure. Also cross-examined by Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), counsel for APC, Ogah told the court that glitches did not occur on INEC portal on Feb. 25. She said she did not know INEC’s password protocol as she was not INEC’s employee. The court presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, adjourned further hearing to Wednesday.

claims documents INEC nonexistent Obi PETER petition TINUBU

“Stop looking for who to blame for your failure”, INEC tells Peter Obi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday during a court proceeding lambasted the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, for accusing the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, of evading the service of a witness summon on him. INEC, through its lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, accused Obi of always looking for who to blame for his failure in the presidential election. INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu Peter Obi, who accused the 2023 presidential election of being rigged, secured a subpoena through his legal team led by Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, to force the INEC Chairman to appear before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja. Insisting that he wants the INEC boss to not only testify before the court as a witness but to equally produce and tender in evidence, some sensitive materials that were used for the conduct of the presidential election. While lamenting the inability of his client to effect service of the summon of Prof. Yakubu, Obi’s lead counsel, Dr. Uzoukwu, SAN, said: “My lords, I thought that by now, we would have been through with the stage of tendering of documents. “I have drawn the attention of the lead counsel to the INEC, Mr. Abubakar Mahmood, SAN, that the office of the Chairman of the Commission has consistently refused to accept subpoena to produce certain documents, inspite of efforts of Bailiffs of this court. “The counsel graciously asked me to give him a copy of the subpoena but I didn’t have an extra copy to give to him, so, he asked me to give it to any member of his team. “My lords, because I still do not have an extra copy, I intend to get it and send to him once the proceeding of today is over. “I am confident that he will do the needful for us to continue our case tomorrow,” he added. Kemi Pinhero, SAN while accusing Obi of always looking for who to blame for his failure said: “My lords should take note that it has become a habit for the Petitioners, that whenever they want to seek for an adjournment, they must look for someone to blame. “I was not privy to any discussion they had with our team leader because all the discussions have been open to members of our group. “However, it cannot be true that the Chairman of INEC refused to receive the subpoena. In PDP’s case, subpoenas were served, not only on the Chairman but also on some National Commissioners. “My lords should equally note that all the avalanche of documents they have tendered so far, some of them were certified as far back as in March. Mr Peter Obi “Yet, everytime, they keep complaining that INEC refused to release documents to them. “The submission that INEC refused to give documents to them, with due respect to the learned counsel, is not true. “If they want to ask for an adjournment, they should do so and not attempt to use the INEC as weeping board. “I want to say it for the records that it is not correct that INEC Chairman refused to receive subpoena. “The Chairman of INEC has no interest whatsoever. This allegation against him is most uncharitable,” Pinhero, SAN, added. Though counsel for the Petitioners, Uzoukwu, SAN, maintained his position and urged the court to verify from its Bailiffs, if the INEC Chairman did not refuse service of the subpoena, however, Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel, urged restraint from both parties. “There is no need to quarrel over this issue. If subpoena was refused, counsel knows what to do. “We should remember that after this case, we will still see each other in court. “So, let us not allow issues like this to destroy bonds of friendship,” Chairman of the panel, Justice Tsammani cautioned the senior lawyers. Following a no objection stance by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who appeared for President Tinubu, as well as by counsel for the APC, Mr. Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, the court adjourned further hearing on the matter till Thursday.

blame failure INEC Obi PETER stop tells

“You’ve carved your name in golden books of history” ― Peter Obi tells Hilda Baci

Former Anambra state governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, on Tuesday congratulated Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci for breaking the Guinness World Record. The Guinness World Record on Tuesday certified Hilda as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual and since then, congratulations have been pouring in order for the superstar chef. Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Bassey Announcing the good news on Tuesday, GWR said: “Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.” Peter Obi while joining other Nigerians to congratulate Hilda Baci via his Twitter handle said Hilda has carved her name in the golden books of history and has brought great honour to Nigeria as a Nation. He wrote, “Congratulations to you Hilda Baci @hildabacicooks on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time by an individual. You believed in your vision, you persevered till the end, and you have now carved your name in the golden books of history and have brought great honour to our nation. You have, by your victory, reminded us that the path through which one attains victory in any endeavour must be excellent. By towing the path of hard work and determination, you broke a world record.” Recall that the 26-year-old Nigerian chef began on Thursday 11 May and continued through to Monday 15 May, cooking over 100 pots of food during her four-day kitchen stint.

Baci books carved Golden Hilda history Obi PETER tells Youve