Wrestle with your failures, not your opponents — Atiku tells Tinubu

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon political grandstanding and confront the monumental failures of his administration, saying no amount of macho rhetoric can rescue a government that has already lost the confidence of its people.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described President Tinubu’s declaration that he would “wrestle his opponents to the finish” as the lamentation of a drowning man desperately seeking to divert attention from an abysmal record in office.
Atiku said it was particularly disturbing that such a reckless and undistinguished remark was made in response to a solemn appeal by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for credible, transparent and peaceful elections. He said the President’s flippant response underscored the prevailing sense of aloofness that has come to define his administration and reflected a troubling lack of the courtesy, humility and decorum expected of a President during such a high-profile engagement with one of the country’s most respected moral institutions. Rather than reassuring Nigerians of his commitment to electoral integrity, the President chose bravado over statesmanship.
“Mr. President, you are a drowning man. Wrestle with your failures, not your opponents,” Atiku said.
He noted that a President presiding over the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory ought not to be talking about wrestling political opponents but about wrestling inflation to the ground, defeating hunger, restoring security, stabilising the naira and rebuilding public confidence in government.
“The President should wrestle with the millions of Nigerians who now skip meals because food has become a luxury. He should wrestle with the insecurity that has turned farming communities into graveyards and highways into hunting grounds for criminals. He should wrestle with the unemployment that has robbed an entire generation of hope. He should wrestle with an economy suffocating under policy inconsistency, reckless borrowing and dwindling investor confidence.”
According to Atiku, when leaders fail, they often resort to political theatre in the hope that loud rhetoric will drown out the cries of suffering citizens.
“These are the words of a drowning man. A government that has little to celebrate inevitably seeks refuge in chest-thumping. But Nigerians are no longer interested in political performances. They are interested in performance in government. Empty slogans cannot fill empty stomachs. Boastful declarations cannot lower food prices. Threats against political opponents cannot restore the value of the naira.”
The former Vice President said the greatest opponent confronting President Tinubu is neither the ADC nor any other opposition party.
“His greatest opponent is his own record. Every unpaid worker, every struggling business, every unemployed graduate, every victim of insecurity and every hungry family is a living testimony to the consequences of his administration’s choices. That is the contest he has consistently failed to win.”
Atiku reminded the President that democracy is not a wrestling ring where intimidation determines the winner.
“Democracy is a marketplace of ideas and accountability. Governments earn another term through competence, compassion and measurable results—not through combative rhetoric. In 2027, Nigerians will not be stepping into a wrestling arena. They will be stepping into polling units to deliver a constitutional verdict.”
He urged President Tinubu to devote the remainder of his tenure to addressing the nation’s deepening crises instead of manufacturing imaginary political battles.
“The Nigerian people are not looking for a wrestler. They are looking for a leader. History will not remember who shouted the loudest. It will remember who governed the best.”

Oriire Kidnap: FG arraigns Ansaru Commanders, 3 others arrested by DSS

 

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned two commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organization captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), and their three foot soldiers, for terrorism, kidnapping and murder of two teachers of schools in Orire LGA of Oyo State.

The five suspects were arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahin of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In August 2025, DSS operatives captured Mahmuda top commander, Abubakar Abba Mahmuda Abu Bara’a and his deputy, Abubakar Abbas aka Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.

According to security sources, after the capture,  Ansaru made two attempts- one in December 2025, and another in February 2026, to free their commanders. However, the attempts were reportedly foiled by DSS intelligence to the state security council, after which the secret police continued to update intelligence on the group’s activities.

 

On May 15, 2026, several armed men belonging to Ansaru terror group stormed some schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State, kidnapping 46 people made up of 39 students and seven teachers. Apparently, to mount pressure on government to  release their two captured commanders in DSS’ custody, the terrorists killed two of the teachers.

On July 10, 2026, however, security forces from the DSS and the military, police and other security agencies, stormed the forest where the terrorists were holding the abductees, freeing the hostages.

During the rescue operation, DSS operatives captured three more members of the Ansaru terror organization- Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

On July 23, the three men pleaded guilty to concealing information regarding the Oriire school kidnapping and for membership in the proscribed Darul Salam/Ansaru group. They were promptly handed life imprisonment.

Relatedly, a Federal High Court in Abuja, last week, sentenced Mahmud Usman (Abu Bara’a) and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, to life imprisonment after they both pleaded guilty to some charges in the 32-count charge of belonging to a terrorist organization, among other charges.

After the sentencing, feelers from the DSS suggested that the secret police was dissatisfied with the judgement and was going to appeal.

However, in a fresh twist, the DSS, on Wednesday, changed strategy, opting to arraign the terrorist commanders and three of their foot soldiers on fresh charges of terrorism, kidnapping and murder of persons in Oriire LGA.

Justice Salim adjourned the matter to September 24 for the commencement of trial. He ordered that the five suspects remain in the custody of the DSS. Authority.

Ex-Prestige Assurance Executive petitions Speaker Abbas over alleged wrongful dismissal

 

 

A former Head of Business Development at Prestige Assurance Plc, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Edet, has petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, alleging wrongful termination of her employment, discriminatory treatment, workplace harassment, and corporate governance breaches by the insurance company.

 

In the petition dated July 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker through Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Esq., Edet asked the House to investigate the circumstances surrounding the termination of her appointment and direct the company to grant her what she described as equitable disengagement benefits.

 

Edet, whose employment was terminated on April 24, 2026, described the dismissal as “wrongful, premature and procedurally defective,” alleging that she was denied severance benefits despite years of service and outstanding performance.

 

According to her, she joined Prestige Assurance in July 2021 as a management staff member with an annual business target of about ₦9 billion. She claimed that through business development initiatives and market expansion, she increased her portfolio to approximately ₦25 billion by the end of the 2025 financial year.

 

She further stated that the company had acknowledged her performance in a confirmation letter dated October 27, 2022, which commended her professionalism and commitment to the company’s growth.

 

The petitioner, however, alleged that despite her performance, she was dismissed on allegations of lateness and dereliction of duty, claims she described as false and inconsistent with the operational realities of the insurance industry.

 

She argued that marketing executives in the sector often engage clients and insurance brokers outside the office before official resumption time, a practice she said contributed significantly to the growth of her portfolio.

 

Edet alleged that her dismissal was motivated by discrimination and personal hostility rather than poor performance or misconduct.

She also accused the company of applying different standards in the disengagement of management staff.

 

According to her, previous executives who left the company under similar or less compelling circumstances received generous severance packages, including several months’ salary, gratuity and other benefits approved by the board.

 

She cited the cases of a former Company Secretary, Mr. Odulana, Mr. Samson Omoware of the underwriting department, and another staff member identified as Mr. Awofuye, whom she claimed were accorded more favourable exit terms than she received.

 

The former executive further alleged that the company denied her fair hearing before terminating her appointment.

 

She claimed she was never issued a formal query, invited to any disciplinary panel, informed of allegations against her in writing, or given an opportunity to defend herself before the termination letter was issued.

 

Edet also alleged that Prestige Assurance operates without a duly approved Human Capital Policy Manual governing disciplinary procedures for management staff, describing the situation as a serious corporate governance concern.

 

She accused the company’s management of workplace bullying, intimidation, abuse of executive authority and actions inconsistent with corporate governance standards applicable to regulated financial institutions.

 

Among other requests, Edet urged the House of Representatives to investigate the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Assurance over the allegations, direct the company to grant her disengagement benefits comparable to those previously approved for other executives, sanction the company for alleged discriminatory labour practices, and compel it to release her official vehicle, which she claimed was due to become her property under company policy.

 

She is also seeking payment of two years’ salary amounting to ₦64 million, in addition to other benefits she said are due to her.

 

The petition stated that she remains willing to provide additional documentary evidence to support her claims.

 

Prestige Assurance Plc had not responded to the allegations contained in the petition as of the time of filing this report. The allegations remain those of the petitioner and have not been independently verified.

 Did Abacha Actually Die On Top Of A Woman?

 

 

By Festus Adedayo

The Yoruba establish a direct causal relationship between tragic news and emotional grief. They observe that if the ears are not fed with rotten news, the mind will not be consumed by grief. Whatever his motive for publishing his book, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, retired Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Dennis Amachree has reawakened an unpleasant yet momentous chapter in our national history. In doing so, he proves right the ancient adage that a twenty-year-old pounded yam can still burn one’s fingers as though it were fresh off the mortar. Through his book, Amachree resurrects the narrative surrounding the sudden, gladsome news of the demise of Nigeria’s former Commander-in-Chief and military dictator, General Sani Abacha.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the libido of men in power is a critical factor we must reckon with when analyzing the mechanics and texture of political authority. Even previously, I undertook a broader analysis of what I called thesexual history of the Nigerian presidency. It was a salacious narrative of the perceived sexual exploits of occupants of Dodan Barracks and Aso Rock, the two residences of Nigeria’s power. Amachree’s DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield underscores why this dimension of power cannot be brushed aside or taken for granted. In it, the author posits that on June 8, 1998, General Abacha did not die from a poisoned handshake from former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but from cardiac arrest during an intimate encounter with a paramour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Guest House in Abuja.

On a social media platform, a commentator questioned whether Amachree was acting as an interloper, whether he had breached official secrecy rules, and why he chose to release this account at this particular time. My response focused on the formal process of declassifying official information and documents — the administrative procedure for removing security markings from secret government records to make them accessible to the public. Typically, declassification occurs through three main mechanisms: automatic declassification over time, systematic review by government agencies, and mandatory requests by interested members of the public.

Declassified records do not always tell the absolute truth, as governments often hold back unverified or raw intelligence from public disclosure to prevent panic. This appears to be what occurred in the Abacha episode. Generally, when official records reach a certain age — frequently 25 years — they are unsealed, provided they do not fall under specific exceptions whose release could compromise national security or trigger widespread public unrest. Sensitive national security files often remain classified indefinitely to protect state interests.

Because Abacha died 28 years ago, the public has spent decades navigating competing theories. One popular claim alleged that he ate apples laced with a lethal potion prepared by foreign intelligence agencies. His ADC, from whom authentic fact could have come, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, propounded another theory, claiming Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was used to assassinate him. He further noted that Abacha began exhibiting unusual physical traits immediately after a handshake.

However, Al-Mustapha cannot be held to be a witness of truth if indeed Abacha died this way which, in African context, was a taboo. Again, he is the abore (Yoruba traditional male priest who assists in performing rituals, making offerings, and serving as a spiritual intermediary) of the Abacha shrine from whose mouth evil narratives are never expected to ooze out. By waiting for the required passage of time, Amachree fulfilled the standard criteria for declassifying information, granting him the administrative leeway to disclose what he knew about Abacha’s final hours.

However, whistle-blowers and former intelligence officers are sometimes deployed to divert public focus from pressing national issues or distract from an unfolding, unpleasant political reality. That could also possibly be Amachree’s assignment.

Expectedly, pushback and denials followed Amachree’s revelations. They are however a healthy development for public discourse. In an engaging opinion piece in the Vanguard newspaper, Tony Eluemunor challenged Amachree’s narrative using medical and situational evidence. Eluemunor argued that while Abacha suffered from diabetes and cirrhosis, he was severely ill on the night of June 8, despite the presence of two foreign paramours with him.

Of a truth, the whole country knew, prior to his expiration, that Abacha was ill. A few days before his passing, he appeared on national television looking gaunt, his lips unusually coloured and his goggles seemingly hiding critical information about his visage. The fact that he had two Filipinos with him on the night of his death, according to Eluemunor, presents a stark, troubling paradox: a ruler fiercely resisting Western influence and railing against America whom he called “global policemen of democracy,” while simultaneously permitting foreign liaisonsunhindered access into the innermost sexual and territorial borders of Nigeria’s power base.

Since Abacha’s era, numerous Nigerian public officials — governors, ministers, legislative leaders, and political aides —have compromised the dignity of public office through personal indulgences. Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole recently courted controversy regarding a widely circulated video involving a South African lifestyle influencer (euphemism for prostitutes) Ms. Leshaan Dagama, aboard a chartered aircraft. Such conduct appears to be a recurring pastime among powerful men.

Upon reading my previous piece, someone reminded me that all men, regardless of their situation in places of power, remain complicit in the borderless irritancy of the male member. Malawian feminist scholar and former government minister, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, noted this during a public address in June 2025. There, she stated candidly: “All men are weak before women.” Centuries prior, in his seminal History of Sexuality, philosopher Michel Foucault similarly challenged Western society’s understanding of sex, power, and discipline, demonstrating how carnal desires intersect with structures of institutional control.

What has largely kept the full truth of Abacha’s final moments shrouded from public scrutiny is religious sensitivity. Till date, no one knows what ailed and probably killed Umaru Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari. I strongly advocate that Nigerian leaders ought to be exempt from religious boundaries from the moment of their ascension to office up until their death. Upon assumption of office, they should totally become the collective property of the Nigerian state. Consequently, the full, unvarnished facts surrounding their final days should belong strictly to the public record, free from religious taboos, hypocritical cover-ups, or selective official secrecy.

2027: INEC boss charges staff on integrity, warns against compromise

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has charged staff of the commission to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, warning that the electoral body cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an official working visit and interactive session with management and staff at the INEC headquarters in Minna, Niger State, on Friday, Amupitan urged officials to resist all forms of compromise, stressing that both Nigerians and the international community were closely monitoring preparations for the country’s next general elections.

“The whole world, not just Nigerians, is looking up to INEC,” the chairman said. “I just returned from an African Union meeting in Egypt involving Electoral Management Bodies across Africa, and everyone expressed the desire to come and observe Nigeria’s elections. We must conduct the elections in a highly professional manner.”

He reminded staff that they serve as ambassadors of the commission and announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on **January 16, 2027**, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for **February 6, 2027**.

Amupitan assured staff that the commission was strengthening logistics, transportation and infrastructure across its offices nationwide to avoid the operational shortcomings experienced in previous elections.

“We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. My goal is to ensure that we continue to improve on our performance,” he said.

The INEC chairman reiterated his commitment to restoring public confidence in the commission through the conduct of transparent, free, fair and credible elections, noting that the success of the electoral process would largely depend on the dedication and integrity of staff at the grassroots.

He announced that the commission would introduce a reward system to recognise outstanding performance while imposing strict sanctions on officials found guilty of misconduct.

“There should be no compromise whatsoever. We have decided to introduce rewards for hard work, but if there is any misconduct, there will be serious consequences. Work hard, work selflessly, shun corruption, and let us give the Nigerian people what they truly desire,” he said.

On staff welfare, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had commenced a comprehensive review of employees’ welfare packages across the country to improve morale and productivity.

According to him, staff welfare was one of the critical issues he identified after assuming office nine months ago.

“When I assumed office, I discovered that the welfare package for INEC staff was among the lowest in the country. To boost your morale, the commission decided to take this issue head-on. When the results begin to manifest, you will appreciate our commitment,” he assured.

The INEC chairman also inspected the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise at a registration centre located within the state headquarters as part of his working visit.

Atiku to Obasanjo: The grave is not a witness box

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest allegations against him, describing them as a desperate attempt to rewrite history and confer political advantage on his preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the former President’s decision to accuse him of bribing the late Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba to impeach him was not only reckless but fundamentally unfair to a man who is no longer alive to defend his name.

“As Africans, we understand the solemn duty of speaking truthfully about the dead. It is therefore deeply troubling that former President Obasanjo has chosen this moment to allege that I gave the late Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba a bribe to impeach him.

“If this allegation were true, why did he never make it while Rt. Hon. Na’Abba was alive? Why wait until the only man who could confirm or refute the claim has departed this world? By invoking a deceased man as the principal witness to such a grave allegation, former President Obasanjo has denied Nigerians the opportunity of hearing the other side of the story.

“The late Rt. Hon. Ghali Na’Abba cannot now defend his own integrity or respond to the allegation that he accepted a bribe. It is unfair to his memory and contrary to our cultural values to conscript the dead into contemporary political battles when they no longer have a voice.”

Atiku noted that the allegations themselves are not supported by any judicial finding or official determination.

“If there was indeed evidence of any criminal conduct as alleged, Nigerians are entitled to ask why no action was taken at the time by a government that wielded the full powers of the Nigerian state.”

The former Vice President said it is difficult to ignore the political timing of the recycled allegations.

“Coming at a time when the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election is taking shape, the obvious objective is to besmirch my person and reputation and confer an undeserved political advantage on the former President’s kinsman. Nigerians, however, know better. They are too discerning to be distracted by stale allegations resurrected for political convenience.”

Atiku maintained that the roots of the former President’s hostility towards him are well known.

“My offence was that I stood firmly against the unconstitutional third-term agenda. As a democrat, I chose the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Rather than surrender democratic principles on the altar of personal ambition, I defended the Constitution and successfully asserted my rights through the courts in a series of landmark legal victories against a sitting President. Those battles are now part of Nigeria’s democratic history. It is evident that the bitterness arising from that defining period has failed to leave former President Obasanjo.”

He said he would not be distracted into exchanging words over historical political disputes while Nigeria grapples with unprecedented economic hardship, rising insecurity, mass unemployment, hunger and disturbing questions surrounding the management of public resources.

“The task before leaders today is not to rewrite history but to rescue the future. Nigerians are more interested in knowing why food prices continue to soar, why public debt continues to rise despite increased revenues, and why scandal after scandal continues to trail the current administration than in revisiting political disagreements from over two decades ago.”

Atiku added that while former President Obasanjo is entitled to support any candidate of his choice, he should do so openly.

“If former President Obasanjo has chosen to take a political position ahead of 2027, he should simply declare it and allow Nigerians to judge it on its merits, rather than attempting to influence public opinion through allegations that can no longer be tested because the principal witness is no longer alive.

“Our focus remains unwavering: offering credible alternatives, defending democracy, demanding accountability and working with all patriotic Nigerians to restore competent, transparent and people-centred leadership to our country. Nigerians deserve solutions to today’s problems, not recycled political tales from yesterday.”

 

Enugu Air aircraft skids off runway at Benin airport

 

 

An Enugu Air aircraft on Thursday veered off the runway after landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday, and incident described in aviation terms as a runway excursion, however, all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injuries.

 

Penpushing reports that the management of the airline in a statement posted on its official X handle, explained that the aircraft experienced the runway excursion after landing and that the relevant aviation authorities had been notified.

 

The management of Enugu State-owned carrier’s Embraer regional jets added that the incident could result in temporary adjustments to some of its flight schedules, adding that the aircraft has been secured

 

“Enugu Air wishes to inform the public that one of our aircraft operating into Benin experienced a runway excursion after landing today. We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties.

 

“The aircraft has been secured, and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established procedures. An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently underway,” the airline said.

 

“As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance’, the statement read.

 

“The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority. We appreciate your understanding and will continue to provide updates through our official communication channels’, it added.

 

Penpushing further reports that the aircraft involved is an Embraer regional jet recently introduced into Enugu Air’s fleet for commercial operations, while as at the time of filing this report the cause of the runway excursion was yet unknown while aviation authorities are expected to investigate the incident.

Trump hails Tinubu’s leadership in war against terror 

 

United States President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership in confronting terrorism and addressing insecurity in Nigeria, according to a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.

In a letter dated July 6, 2026, Trump commended Tinubu’s efforts to tackle security challenges, particularly attacks affecting Christian communities, while reaffirming Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral security cooperation.

“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people,” Trump wrote.

“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”

The letter was made public on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Trump described the US-Nigeria relationship as increasingly important amid growing security challenges across West Africa, saying both countries share a common objective of combating terrorism.

According to the US president, the two nations’ 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a framework for expanded military collaboration.

He also said the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces to train and support the Armed Forces of Nigeria with intelligence, equipment and operational skills aimed at strengthening the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens,” Trump stated.

The Presidency said security cooperation between Abuja and Washington has intensified in recent months. It recalled that both leaders agreed in November last year to establish a Joint Working Group, co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries, to coordinate training, intelligence sharing and joint operations against terrorist groups.

According to the statement, one of the major outcomes of the collaboration was a coordinated operation on May 16 targeting ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which reportedly resulted in the killing of the group’s leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.

The Presidency also noted that the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met with senior Nigerian officials and pledged to deepen cooperation between both countries in security and other strategic areas.

Trump concluded his letter by expressing optimism about continued engagement with President Tinubu throughout his presidency, saying he looked forward to further discussions on strengthening bilateral ties and advancing shared security objectives. Authority.

Solomon Dalung’s assertion about Peter Obi in Plateau State is false and unfounded

 

Peter Obi’s Media Office has refuted and reject a statement made by former Minister of Sports Development and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Solomon Dalung that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has not visited Plateau State since the end of the 2023 general elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, the office said that what Dalung implied is that Obi’s support from the state’s people in 2023 was followed by his absence until the next election cycle.

“However, the Media Office asserts that Dalung’s claim is factually wrong. They state that Obi has made several visits to Plateau State since 2023 and has spent nights there on two occasions.

“These two occasions have attracted significant attention from the media and political circles.

“While some see these visits as a sign of particular affection for the state, Obi’s ongoing presence, especially in places like Bokkos, Mangu, Bassa, and Barkin Ladi, is reportedly driven by important political, humanitarian, and strategic reasons.

“In response to ongoing communal violence and security issues, Obi has personally visited affected communities to offer condolences to victims and displaced persons,” the Office said

The statement went further to recall that Obi visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Mangu and Bokkos multiple times, providing financial support, clean water programmes, and relief supplies directly to affected families.

“Notably, in a show of solidarity, Obi celebrated his 62nd birthday in July 2023 by spending time with displaced communities in Mangu Local Government Area, foregoing formal celebrations.

“The Media Office also highlights Obi’s active engagement with traditional rulers, including the Gbong Gwom Jos, and state officials, emphasising his political influence in the North Central region.

“Obi’s consistent presence in Plateau goes beyond routine political activities; it combines humanitarian efforts, direct interaction with his political support base, and a platform to draw attention to security challenges.

“As a result, the Media Office considers Dalung’s claim to be clearly false and without foundation, advising that it be ignored.”

Peter Obi at 65: Extolling a visionary’s enduring influence

 

 

By Ike Abonyi

Today marks not merely the passage of another year, but a commemoration of the profound and lasting impact of a leader whose political philosophy and personal conduct have fundamentally reshaped the definition of leadership in contemporary Nigeria. As His Excellency, **Peter Onwubuasi Gregory Obi*, reaches his 65th birthday having been born on July 19, 1961, I pay tribute to a friend, an individual of exceptional intellect, strong character, and unwavering dedication to public service.

 

*The Nature of a Change Agent*

 

Peter Obi’s political trajectory has consistently been characterised by a drive to challenge and improve upon the existing order, rather than merely adhere to it. From his impactful governorship of Anambra State to his significant role as a catalyst for national reawakening, he has repeatedly demonstrated that governance can and must be conducted with accountability, fiscal prudence, and a genuine focus on the populace. He elevated frugality to a governing principle, underscoring the belief that a nation’s resources rightfully belong to its citizens, not its elite.

 

*Inspiring a New Generation*

 

Beyond policy initiatives and economic data, Peter Obi’s most significant legacy may be the inspiration he has instilled in countless young Nigerians. At 65, his vitality remains undimmed, his foresight sharp, and his message consistent: the possibility of a revitalised Nigeria. He has successfully steered the national discourse from one of entitlement to one of merit, from a focus on consumption to one on production, and from a state of despondency to one of constructive hope.

 

He has redefined the benchmarks for leadership in Nigeria, proving that integrity is not a political liability, but rather the ultimate source of strength.

 

*A Milestone of Composure and Fortitude*

 

Reaching sixty-five years signifies a period of accumulated wisdom, thoughtful reflection, and renewed commitment. Amidst a political arena often dominated by clamour, Peter Obi stands as a stable, composed, and meticulously reasoned voice. His leadership is demonstrated through his actions; his approach is marked by humility, and he consistently encourages us all to hold both our leaders and ourselves to higher standards.

 

I extend our warmest 65th birthday wishes to this great friend, a distinguished statesman, a forward-thinking economic advocate, and a leader truly devoted to the people. May the coming years be filled with continued strength, robust health, and the realisation of a vision for a just and prosperous nation.

 

Abonyi is Editor @Large