Fifty Speaks

Fellow Nigerians, good morning. I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you. Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances. We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal. More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism. We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power. Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise. Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them. However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building. Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated. And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions. There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess? Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline? Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work. I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Oga Tunde how much to teach me how to play Chess? ♟️

KOGI STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE KIDNAPPING INCIDENT ALONG AYERE–KABBA ROAD KOGI STATE The Kogi State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, wishes to inform members of the public that the Command is fully on top of the kidnapping incident that occurred on 13th April, 2026, at about 2030hrs along Ayere–Kabba Road, inward Kabba Local Government Area of Kogi State. Preliminary investigations reveal that a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Chisco Transport Company, with registration number KJA 405 YJ, en route from Lagos to Abuja, was attacked by armed hoodlums. Following a prompt and coordinated response by security operatives, one victim, Adoun Julius (M), 56 years, was successfully rescued, while the vehicle was recovered and taken to the Police station for further necessary action. Efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the remaining abducted passengers, with sustained bush-combing and search-and-rescue operations currently ongoing by joint operatives of the Police, the Military, and other sister security agencies. So far, seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently assisting ongoing investigations. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), supported by other tactical teams, remains actively engaged in ensuring the safe rescue of the victims and the swift apprehension of perpetrators. These operations are being vigorously pursued, and further developments will be communicated in due course. Members of the public are hereby urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative, and to promptly provide any credible information that may assist ongoing operations, with assurances that all information received will be treated with the strictest confidence. Families or relatives of the victims are advised to report to the Headquarters of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lokoja, particularly the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, to assist in proper identification and ongoing investigations. The Kogi state police command, under the leadership of CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi psc mni, reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and warns criminal elements to desist forthwith, as the full weight of the law will be decisively brought to bear on anyone found culpable. Members of the public are further encouraged to report any suspicious activities through the Command’s control room numbers: 0703 832 9084, 0815 219 5982. ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat Police Public Relations Officer Kogi State Command, Lokoja 16th April, 2026