Peter Obi

Now a Disgraced Country Indeed Today, as the world marks World Health Day, we must pause for honest reflection. Nigeria, a nation of over 200 million people, continues to grapple with one of the weakest healthcare systems in the world. Our primary healthcare structure is almost comatose. We now record worse infant mortality outcomes than India, a country with a larger population, while health insurance coverage in Nigeria remains below 5%. These are not just statistics; they are a painful indictment of our priorities. Recent disclosures by the Honourable Minister of Health show that out of the ₦218 billion appropriated for healthcare capital expenditure, only about ₦36 million has been released. This is deeply troubling. At the same time, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected over ₦135 billion for legal expenditures. Let us reflect on this. The amount earmarked for election-related litigation is far higher than what has been made available for primary healthcare, the very foundation of a nation’s wellbeing. This is the same primary healthcare system expected to serve millions of Nigerians and support critical institutions such as: 1. University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City 2. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar 3. University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada 4. University College Hospital, Ibadan 5. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife 6. University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin 7. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua 8. University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu 9. Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos 10. Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, Kano 11. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 12. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri 13. Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi 14. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt 15. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto 16. University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo 17. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria 18. Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki 19. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi 20. Federal Medical Centre, Yola These institutions represent hope for millions. Yet, they remain underfunded, overstretched, and burdened by systemic neglect. A nation that prepares more for electoral disputes than for the health of its citizens is a nation that has lost its way. We must begin to ask the difficult but necessary questions: What are our true priorities? What kind of nation are we building? And for whom? Healthcare and education are not optional; they are the foundation of national development. Any country that neglects them undermines its own future. Nigeria must urgently reorder its priorities. We must invest in the health and wellbeing of our people, strengthen our institutions, and build a system that works for all, not just a few. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Let us reflect, sincerely and without sentiment. In the past few days, the President has reportedly approved ₦3.3 trillion as a “full and final” payment for debts in the power sector. Yet, this is not the first time such approvals have been made. On May 17, 2024, ₦3.3 trillion was approved for the same purpose. On July 25, 2024, another ₦4 trillion bond was approved to settle similar debts. There have also been other approvals in between, all targeted at addressing the same power sector liabilities. This raises a fundamental question: were the previous approvals mere announcements without execution? ₦3.3 Trillion Again? Nigeria’s Power Crisis Without End During the 2023 campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a clear promise: that if he failed to deliver stable electricity, Nigerians should not re-elect him. Today, the reality is that power supply has worsened, to the extent that there are even discussions about disconnecting the Presidential Villa from the national grid. Each time legitimate concerns are raised, what we see appears more like policy pronouncements than measurable progress. Now, again, we are confronted with another ₦3.3 trillion approval to settle power sector debts. These debts were largely accumulated under successive administrations of the All Progressives Congress between 2015 and 2025. This raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in public financial management. It is important to note that government institutions and agencies, including the Presidential Villa owe a significant portion of these debts. Year after year, budgets were made and funds appropriated. Why then were these obligations not settled when due? And from what source will this new payment be made? Are we resorting once more to borrowing to service inefficiencies? Key questions remain unanswered: How did the debt accrue? What is the actual total debt in the power sector? Which components of the debts are due to operators’ inefficiency and should be borne by them? Why have previous approvals not translated into tangible improvements? Who are the real beneficiaries of these repeated payments? Is the ₦3.3 trillion approved on April 6, 2026, the same as the ₦3.3 trillion approved in May 2024, and how does it relate to the ₦4 trillion bond approved in July 2024? Nigeria must move beyond recycled announcements and confront the power sector crisis with sincerity, transparency, and decisive reforms. Until we do so, we will remain trapped in a cycle of debt and darkness. But with discipline, accountability, and the right leadership, a new Nigeria is still possible. -PO

I express my deepest condolences to Professor Attahiru Jega and the entire Jega family on the profound loss of his beloved wife, Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega. May Almighty Allah grant her Al-Jannatul Firdaus, overlook her shortcomings, and envelop her soul in His mercy. I also pray that Allah provides Professor Jega, their children, and the entire family with the fortitude and strength to bear this sad irreplaceable loss. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Ameen. -PO

“This Experience Will Not Repeat Itself” - Another Presidential Promise fails in less than 24 Hours. Less than 24 hours after President Tinubu stood at the Jos Plateau State airport on April 2, 2026, and promised the grieving Nigerian citizens, “I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” another brutal attack occurred in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South LGA, resulting in the deaths of several innocent citizens. Since then, and only a week following that reassuring promise from the President, Nasarawa State has been plunged into grief as the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities fled for their lives after gunmen killed at least 11 people. Many homes were reduced to ashes, and numerous families remain missing. In Zamfara State, 150 innocent Nigerians were abducted from the Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji communities in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent times. On the same day of the Zamfara kidnappings, terrorists in Borno State stormed Chibok, killing four officers and burning down homes. Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Benue State was rocked by violence again, with over 17 Nigerians massacred, entire communities left in ruins, and many individuals still unaccounted for. Today, in Kaduna State, several innocent citizens were killed by terrorists inside churches, with many others abducted in the Ariko community of Kachia LGA. Yet we were told, “This experience will not repeat itself.” This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives. These attackers are not ghostly figures; our inaction emboldens them. How can a President make such a categorical promise and, mere hours later, the nation continues to count the dead across multiple states? The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property; however, this responsibility is failing today. Nigerians are being slaughtered in their homes, in their communities, and in the very places they should feel safest. Even the President did not enter these communities, so who is truly safe in Nigeria? This is a national emergency. Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is worsening and increasingly helpless. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Let Easter give us hope of a better Nigeria ahead. As we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, even amid difficult times, we encourage you to remain steadfast in hope. Indeed, “Good Friday must come before Easter Sunday,” and our present challenges must not define our future. We understand the heavy burden many families are carrying as a result of economic hardship. As we share in your struggles, we urge you not to lose heart. These difficult moments are temporary trials—our collective “cross”—that can lead to renewal if we remain resilient and committed to the common good. Our nation continues to face serious challenges, especially in governance and the impact it has on the daily lives of citizens. Yet, Easter reminds us that after sacrifice comes renewal, and after darkness comes light. A better Nigeria is possible when we, together, choose accountability, compassion, and responsible leadership. We remain hopeful that, through God’s grace and the determination of our people, the journey ahead will lead to a brighter future. Though the road may be rough, we believe in a Nigeria that works for everyone. May this Easter renew our faith, strengthen our resolve, and inspire us to work together for a just and prosperous nation. Happy Easter. -PO

Tinubu in Jos Confirms ‘Don't Vote for Me’ Prediction on Power Supply During the 2023 campaign, President Tinubu made a clear electoral promise: “If I don’t give you constant electricity in four years, don’t vote for me for a second term.” When he took office in 2023, Nigeria had a power supply of over 4,000 megawatts and lower tariffs. Today, the electricity power supply is less than 4,000 megawatts on the average, and Nigerians are paying higher tariffs. Nigeria currently has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world, with a rate below 30% of the African average. Africa’s average is 617kwh, Nigeria’s is 144 kWh. This means that Nigerians consume least electricity than other Africans. In a glaring display of disregard for promises and a lack of trust, President Tinubu, during a brief airport stopover to visit grieving families of the Jos attack on Thursday, April 2, 2026, stated that one of the reasons for his 10-minute stay was that the airport had no electricity. “You have no light here I fly out in ten minutes” At a time when Nigerians are enduring days without power, our leaders cannot even stay a few minutes without it. Now is the time to stop incompetent leaders—those lacking the capacity and compassion—who prioritise their own comfort over the well-being of the people and make empty promises. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership During his visit to Benue State in June 2025, Bola Ahmed Tinubu stopped at the Government House but did not go to the actual scene where innocent Nigerians lost their lives. Similarly, yesterday in Jos, his engagement ended at the airport instead of at the affected communities. What happened in Plateau yesterday highlights a complete absence of leadership. True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies. For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate. This approach exacerbates the sense of abandonment already felt by innocent Nigerians who have endured repeated cycles of violence without meaningful protection or justice. Plateau deserves more than distant words; it requires urgent action and a clear commitment to ending the insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives. In such moments, leadership must not only be visible but also tangible—standing with victims, listening to survivors, and acknowledging the depth of their grief. If we truly desire a better Nigeria, we must demand leadership that is present, responsive, and responsible at all times. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Yesterday defenders of democracy, today's destroyers, What a shame. What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed. Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

My dear Nigerians, Today, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day, a time to recognize and celebrate individuals on the autism spectrum. Autism is not a limitation; rather, it is a different way of experiencing the world. On April 4th, I will lend my voice in support of the 7KM Autism Awareness Walk taking place at Monolisa Park, R.B. Dikko Road, Central Business District, Abuja, alongside the Ria By Maria Autism Foundation team (@rbm_foundation). This initiative serves as a timely reminder that nation-building is not solely about infrastructure and economics; it is also about how we care for the most vulnerable among us. Promoting autism awareness, ensuring early diagnosis, and creating inclusive support systems are essential for building a compassionate and productive society. I commend the organizers for their commitment to advocacy and meaningful community impact. I encourage residents of Abuja and beyond to participate, support, and amplify this important cause. A better nation is possible when we leave no one behind. -PO

Can Peace Reign in the land? What have we done wrong that has brought us this level of insecurity? When can peace reign in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kwara, Kogi and all the other troubled states of our nation, or should we just accept now that security in some parts of Nigeria has become a norm and impossible to handle? Should we just give up and accept defeat and surrender to fear while our people continue to die and our communities are ravaged and destroyed? We cannot let this become the new normal. The violence is not inevitable, and peace is not impossible, it is the failure of leadership that has made it feel otherwise. We must demand action and refuse to accept a Nigeria where some states are abandoned to chaos. Silence is not an option. We must secure our nation before more lives are lost. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Yesterday, Monday 30th March, I returned to the North's Commercial nerve centre, Kano, on the invitation of my dear elder brother, Senator, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso @KwankwasoRM, whose decision to join our party marks yet another significant step in the collective effort to rescue and rebuild our democracy and dear nation, Nigeria. As I have consistently maintained, this is the time for all opposition forces and well-meaning Nigerians to set aside their differences and work together in unity of purpose. Nigeria is at a critical stage in its history, one that demands sacrifice, courage, and selflessness from all of us. The challenges we face, economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and declining public trust, require more than rhetoric. They require deliberate collaboration, disciplined leadership, and a shared commitment to national progress. We must move beyond the politics of division, ethnicity, religion, and region, and embrace the politics of competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to a better Nigeria. The task before us is not about winning elections alone; it is about rebuilding institutions, restoring confidence in governance, and securing a better future for our children. I therefore call on all members of the opposition, and indeed every patriotic Nigerian, to see this moment as a defining one. A moment that calls for unity over division, service over self, and nation over personal interest. A new Nigeria is POssible, but it will require all of us, working together, making sacrifices, and staying committed to the vision of a just, equitable, and prosperous nation. -PO

Nigeria Bleeds Arriving back from my visit to Kano this evening, I received disturbing news and images from Jos of a painful attack at the Angwa Rukuba area, Jos North, Plateau State. The recurring loss of innocent lives in Plateau State reminds us, yet again, of the insecurity innocent citizens face in our nation without any protection. These continuous devastating headlines are a reminder of a nation that is steadily normalising the loss of its own people. It is unacceptable that these attacks happen with such frequency, and even more unacceptable that there seems to be no decisive, sustained strategy to end them. No nation or leader normalises tragedy. The safety of Nigerian lives must become non-negotiable, we cannot continue to mourn what should have been prevented. Enough is enough. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and their memories never be forgotten. I pray that we get a country where the loss of lives is no longer a recurring reality. We cannot continue like this. -PO

Today in Abuja, I joined family, friends, and associates in prayer for the repose of Haijiya Umma El-Rufai at the funeral of the late mother of my dear brother, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. I extend my sincere condolences to Mallam Nasir @elrufai and the entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May you find strength in the memories you shared and comfort in the support of those around you. I pray that Almighty Allah forgives her shortcomings, grants her eternal rest, and admits her into Aljannah Firdaus. May He also grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Moments like this remind us of our shared humanity, beyond politics, ethnicity, and religion, and the need to continue to build a society anchored on compassion, unity, and mutual respect. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. -PO

Yesterday, Saturday 28th March, I travelled to Aba, Abia State to honour the invitation of the representative of the people Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and to meet stakeholders of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC). I thank Senator Abaribe and his team for the warm reception and I thank Governor Alex Otti for the good work he has done in Enyimba City. I had a one-hour interview with Magic fm which is my first interview on the radio and TV this year. I thank the stakeholders of ADC for their warm welcome and the good interaction we had. When I speak about moving the country from consumption to production Aba remains one of the cities that will contribute immensely to that as it remains a home for garment and shoe production. Both products, garments and shoe remains top and earn as much as we earn from oil for Bangladesh and Vietnam respectively and can do so for Nigeria if well managed and supported. Our challenge remains Competent leadership with capacity, compassion, and commitment to the development of our country as it is in other comparable nations. A New Nigeria Is POssible. -PO

Encouraging Growth and Learning at Paul University. Yesterday, after visiting Ehime Mbano General Hospital in Imo state, I also went to Paul University, Awka, Anambra state capital where I donated ₦30 million to support its continued growth and development. I have supported this University for over a decade now and I remain encouraged by the steady and visible progress recorded in the institution, as each visit reveals meaningful improvements in infrastructure and learning conditions. This affirms the importance of sustained investment in education as a driver of national development. During my interaction with the students, I urged them to take their studies seriously, reminding them that education remains the most reliable pathway to personal growth and a better future. I also had the privilege of joining some youth corps members to play football, a refreshing reminder of the energy and promise of our young people. I commend the university’s management for their prudent use of resources and dedication to excellence, and I assure them of my continued support towards the overall goal of making a new Nigeria POssible. -PO

My Visit to Ehime General Hospital, Imo State On Thursday, 26th March, I visited a General Hospital in Ehime Mbano, Imo state where I was warmly received by Most Rev. David Onuoha, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri and Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, alongside other clergy and members of the hospital management. His tireless commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare and professional training is truly commendable. Now that the hospital has been officially handed over to the Diocese, I am confident the Church will manage it efficiently for the benefit of the community. To support this transition, I donated ₦10 million toward the ongoing renovation of the complex and the Diocese’s visionary plans to establish a nursing school on-site. Such initiatives are vital to building a system that truly serves our people, and I call on the Government, and wealthy Nigerians to support these efforts, as the Church is currently bridging a significant gap by delivering essential services that are fundamentally the responsibility of the Government. I remain firm in my conviction that investment in health and education is the most critical path to national development, as a healthy and educated population is the bedrock of a productive and prosperous nation. With support for institutions working for the good of society, a new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Condolences to the El-Rufai Family I have just received the sad news of the passing of the mother of my brother, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been receiving treatment. This is indeed a sombre moment for the El-Rufai family, as Mama’s passing marks the close of a significant chapter in their matriarchal lineage. The loss of a mother is a profound turning point in anyone’s life, regardless of status or position. My deepest sympathies go to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the entire family. May her soul rest in Aljannatul Firdaus. -PO

Investing in in Education and Human Capital On Thursday, May 26th, I visited the College of Nursing Sciences in Mbano, Imo State, and was warmly received by the Provost, staff, and students. I am deeply grateful for their kind words regarding my earlier modest support of ₦10 million, which the school used for the procurement of solar power and a transformer. I also made an additional donation of ₦10 million to support ongoing developments at the institution. It is always encouraging to see institutions striving to improve learning conditions despite obvious challenges. I am convinced that investing in education, healthcare, and critical infrastructure is the surest path to sustainable national development. These should not be seen as expenses, but rather as essential investments in our collective future. We must move from consumption to production by deliberately supporting institutions that build human capital and empower our young people with the skills needed to drive progress. I encouraged the students to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to their studies, reminding them that they are at the heart of the Nigeria we must build—one anchored in competence, compassion, character, and productivity. By investing in our youth in a sustainable and productive manner, a new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

A Life of Faith and Service: Farewell to Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai Yesterday, I joined Nigerians from all walks of life to pay our last respects to a great man of God, Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. It was a solemn yet deeply inspiring gathering - one that reflected the breadth of lives he touched and the enduring legacy he leaves behind. Rev. Dr Ukpai was not only a preacher of the Word but a living embodiment of it, marked by humility, compassion, and commitment to the service of God and humanity. His life was a testament to faith in action, as he laboured tirelessly to uplift souls, strengthen families, and guide communities along the path of righteousness. As we bid him farewell, we do so with gratitude to God for a life well spent and for the countless seeds of faith he sowed, which will continue to bear fruit for generations to come. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. -PO

Beyond Tribe and Tongue Nigeria is not the only nation shaped by a mosaic of tribes, languages, and religions. Around the world, several countries with similar diversity are striving—often successfully—to turn it into a source of strength rather than division. India serves as a classic example. Despite a landmass nearly three and a half times larger than Nigeria's and being home to many religions and cultures, India has evolved into a global benchmark for democracy. With a population exceeding one billion people and close to one billion registered voters—of whom about 700 million typically participate in elections—it has established a system widely regarded as free, fair, and credible. Its electoral processes are conducted with remarkable efficiency, often recorded in real-time and largely free of glitches. Beyond the ballot, India has emerged as a global leader in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—while also transforming its healthcare system, extending medical insurance to over 50% of its vast population. These achievements are not accidental; they result from deliberate efforts to strengthen the centripetal forces—those elements that bind a nation together—rather than amplify the centrifugal impulses of division that continue to challenge us. When I advocate for the unity of Nigeria, I do so with deep sincerity and conviction. Our cohesion is an indispensable foundation for peaceful coexistence, sustainable development, and enduring national stability. I urge my fellow Nigerians to reflect on the example of India—a nation with a far larger population and an even more intricate web of ethnic and religious diversity—yet one that continues to forge unity from complexity. Ultimately, the true fault lines in our national life are neither tribal nor religious. No tribe or religion enjoys cheaper food in the market, nor is any group more secure than another. Our real challenge lies in competence, capacity, compassion, and the commitment to build a better country. Only then can we move beyond tribe and tongue and create a nation that truly works for all. With the right leadership, a new Nigeria is POssible. -PO