Latest news with #PeterObi
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Datti-Ahmed and Abure reconciliation - wetin be di next tin for Peter Obi?
New tins wey be like say drama wan start don begin happun for Labour Party. Di vice presidential candidate of di Labour Party for di 2023 election, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, bin attend one National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting wit Julius Abure wia e say e wan reconcile all parties. Baba-Ahmed say im oga wey be di Labour Party presidential candidate for 2023, Peter Obi dey aware of im presence to di Abure-led NEC meeting. Dis na afta several kasala don rock di Labour Party since di 2023 elections bin end wit different factions from Abure and also Senator Nenadi Usman. Na di different factions within di Labour Party di Vice presidential candidate Baba-Ahmed bin tok say im wan bring togeda. During di meeting, Datti show support for di Abure-led leadership of di Labour party - e tok say im mission na to bring evribodi for di party togeda. "Labour Party no be party to waka away from. To di best of our knowledge Peter Obi na still member of Labour Party. Dis party no be one to abandon and I wish to reconcile all parties " Datti also tok say im and im oga, Obi dey solidly togeda and di tok about coalition no be threat as dem no be member of any political party wey dem form. Howeva, di Labour Party chairman Abure say anybodi get right to join oda political parties but e gatz dey according to di constitution. "Evri Nigerian get di right to belong to any political party of dia choice. Anyone wey feel say dem wan dey wit any group, na dem get di choice but di constitution of di party dey clear say you no fit belong to two political parties at di same time." Obi and Abure no be padi padi for now, sake of di different kasala wey dey rock di party. Meanwhile, Senator Nenadi Usman wey also dey lay claim as di Interim National Chairman of Labour Party, say di decision of Datti dey personal to am. According to di statement by Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media, to Nenadi, e allege say di court no recognise Abure as Labour Party chairman, but rather, na she be di chairman of di party. Although dis na part of di wahala wey di labour Party dey face, Senator Nenadi say e no dey right for Datti to refer to Abure as di party chairman, and dat evri member of di Labour Party gatz follow wetin di court rule. "While di party respect di right of Dr. Baba-Ahmed and oda members to hold personal views, e dey important to rememba say di acceptance of di judgements of di Supreme Court no be mata of choice but e dey compulsory." Senator Nenadi say e good say Datti wan reconcile all parties back to di Labour Party but e gatz dey according to di 'respect for di rule of law and existing legal realities.' Di gbas-gbos for Labour Party no be today e just start. For 4 September 2024, one faction of LP hold NEC meeting for Umuahia, di Abia State capital, wia dem announce madam Usman and 28 odas as membas of di new caretaker committee wey go handle di affairs of di party. Meanwhile, anoda National Convention bin don happun bifor for Nnewi, Anambra State for March 2024 wia dem put Julius Abure to remain as di party chairman. Di mata later go court, and still, both factions dey claim say na dem be di chairman of di party. And even Peter Obi no too show full support for wetin dey happun for di party. For July 2025, Peter Obi say e dey ready for coalition wey go always put Nigerians first for all dia decisions. Even as Labour Party give am 48-hours make e resign from di party sake of im decision, Obi say to join coalition na deep reflection for am and e go do evritin wey go move di kontri forward. How Obi and Datti become 2023 flagbearer for LP Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed na Labour Party candidate for 2023 elections, and since den, dia mata dey enat each oda. Labour party reveal Datti as Peter Obi running mate for Friday, 9 July, 2022, bifor di presidential election. Senator Datti come from a very popular family wey comot from Zaria, Kaduna State inside northwest Nigeria, and na part of wetin make am bring am on board be dat. Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed follow BBC tok for one interview wia e say di reason why e accept to be Peter Obi running mate na sake of say dem get di same principle. Dat time Baba-Ahmed, say e decide to join Labour Party becos of im stand on corruption. "Di main reason why I decide to run with Peter Obi na sake of say we wan rescue Nigeria." E tok dat time. As at dis period, Peter Obi neva react to Datti decision to support one faction of di party and e neva also tok anytin about Labour Party decision ontop coalition mata.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Nigerians get freedom of movement within di kontri' - Nigerians tell Edo state govnor Okpebholo
Nigerians don begin react to viral video wey show as Edo state govnor Monday Okpebholo ban di Labour Party presidential candidate for di 2023 elections, Peter Obi from entering di state without security clearance. Inside di trending video, di Edo state govnor say make Obi no come di state without telling him, as im security no dey guaranteed. "I dey send direct message to am, new sheriff dey for town, e no fit come Edo make e no tell me, becos im security no go ever dey guaranteed. Whatever happun to am wen e dey Edo state, e go take am." Govnor Okpebholo also allege say di last time di former Anambra state govnor visit Edo state wen e donate 15 million naira to one nursing school, crisis happun afta e comot, wey lead to di death of three pipo. BBC Pidgin don reach out to di state police command to verify dis claim, but dem neva reply yet. Di govnor sama dis warning on Friday, 18 July for Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government Area wen e dey receive some politicians wey decamp from di opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Oga Peter Obi neva react to di comment wey govnor Okpebholo make. For 8 July, Peter Obi bin tweet on X about im visit to Philomena College of Nursing Sciences for Benin City, Edo State, wia e donate 15 million naira give dem to improve healthcare delivery. 'Obi na citizen wey get freedom of movement' However, plenty Nigerians wey include di PeterObi Obidient Media Centre don react to di govnor statement. For statement wey dem post on X, di Obidient Media Centre disagree wit wetin di Edo state govnor tok, as dem say Nigeria constitution guarantee di right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of di kontri. Dem say dis no be di first time dis dey happun, as di govnor of Benue state bin issue similar threat against dia principal wen e visit di state for goodwill and charity. Di statement add say make Nigerians no see dis threat as small mata, as Nigeria belong to everybody, and no individual, no matter how highly placed, suppose try divide di kontri by inciting violence or wit dia words. "We wish to alert Nigerians plus di international community say make dem no take dis threats lightly. If anytin untoward happun to im Excellency Peter Obi, make Nigerians know wia to look. Dis governors na di chief security officers of dia respective states, and dia utterances carry weight – no be just in words, but in potential consequences." Di Interim tok-tok pesin for Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi for im reaction say Peter Obi na free citizen and e no need di govnor clearance to visit Nigerians for dia own kontri. "Edo State na Nigerian State. Di govnor statement betray deep insecurity. Wen a Governor begin panic ova courtesy visits and modest donations, na clear sign say sometin dey deeply wrong somewhere. "Leaders wey don serve di pipo well no dey bother wen odas receive clap. Perhaps, di pipo wey dey celebrate PO simply dey remind di Edo state govnor di kind of leader e suppose be," Oga Abdullahi tok. Labour Party govnorship candidate for di 2024 election, Olumide Apata say, "Peter Obi no need anyone permission to visit Edo State or any oda State for dat matter. Not now, not ever." Di Edo state govnor comments dey come as reports say di Kaduna state police command don stop one rally wey supporters of Peter Obi dey plan in honour of im birthday for di state, as dem cite security concerns. For one statement on Saturday, 19 July, di police tok-tok pesin Mansir Hassan tok say di rally dey happun di same day one primary elections dey hold for di state, and e fit lead to gbasgbos and break down of law and order. "Intelligence information wey di command receive na say certain criminal elements dey plan to intrude and hijack di proposed rally, and use am as platform to cause disruption, incite violence, and disturb the prevailing public peace for di state." Di police warn say e go take necessary legal action against any individual or group wey violate di directive. Oda times state govnors don stop politicians from coming to dia state Dis no be di first time a state govnor go kick against di visit of a politician to a state without security clearance from di govnor. For April, di Kogi state goment bin ban rallies and public gatherings for di state, ahead of di homecoming ceremony of di suspended senator wey dey represent Kogi north-central Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her constituency. Di state goment bin cite security breach as dem say di intelligence reports wey dem receive show say some pipo dey plan to "stage some violent rallies in di guise of political and religious agitations" for Kogi Central. Di commissioner of Information Kingsley Fanwo add say di state goment don direct say anybody wey wan enta di state wit convoy of security personnel must "obtain prior clearance from state commands of di deploying services. Benue state goment for April also say any high profile pesin wey wan visit di state must get clearance from di govnor, Hyacinth Alia. For one statement wey di Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, bin issue at di time, e say, "For anyone wey dey consider to visit Benue State without di knowledge or approval of di govnor, e dey important to reconsider, as dia safety and security no fit dey assured," Di statement further direct di individuals or organisations wey dey plan to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps must obtain written clearance from di Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA). Although, di goment no mention names for di statement, but di directive bin draw immediate criticism from many wey believe say di target na di Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, wey bin dey plan humanitarian visit to IDP camps for di state.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Why I miss Buhari burial'
Dem don bury former Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari wey die on Sunday. Di state burial wey di Federal goment organise happun on Wednesday for Daura, Katsina state, Northwest Nigeria. Dis na a day afta dem declare public in honour of di former president. Many people including Nigeria President Bola Tinubu, leaders of foreign kontris and diplomats follow for di crowd of mourners wey land for Daura. Also, ogbonge political leaders – both from the ruling and opposition parties lead by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also full for dia. But pesin wey many pipo notice im absence na Peter Obi, leader of di Obidient Movement. A group of young and energetic supporters of di opposition leader wey contest and pull crowd for di 2023 presidential election as a first timer. Many pipo bin dey wonder why Oga Peter Obi no show for di burial. Dis also generate many reactions for social media. Peter Obi tok why e miss Buhari burial Peter Obi na popular voice among young pipo for Nigerian wey don come to appreciate im economic lifestyle. Most times dem dey like to see am ontop national platforms and dem don begin ginger am again to contest di 2027 presidential election. Though e miss di former President burial, Peter Obi later join new set of mourners wey land for Daura. E join former Vice President Atiku, Nasir El-Rufai and oda opposition leaders to visit di family of di deceased former leader. "E dey hard for me to come yesterday [Wednesday] becos like dem tok bifor, e bin dey very hard to get flight to enta Katsina," Obi tell BBC for interview for Daura. E add say "Even wen you get di flight, e dey hard to land for di airport becos e don full. And mourning period na yesterday, today and tomorrow. And whoever dey hia now still dey part of di mourning"
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Peter Obi no go ever be president'
Nigeria Minister of di Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike say, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi no go ever be president of di kontri. Di one time govnor of Rivers State, tok dis one during one thanksgiving wey dem do for project inauguration for Abuja. Wike, one of di close allies of President Bola Tinubu, tok dis one as im dey react to one new coalition party wey some heavy weight politicians wit presidential ambition form as opposition to di ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) party. E say, "You say Peter Obi go be president. President wia? Some of una no sabi somebody, una go just dey tok out of emotion." Di minister also drag oda coalition members Atiku Abubakar, Rauf Aregbesola and odas. Oga Wike kwesion why former vice president of di kontri and di 2023 presidential candidate of di Peoples Democratic Party dey jump from one party to anoda. "How Nigerians no go vex for you today. For 1999 you dey dis party. For 2006 you dey anoda party, for 2014, you move go anoda party. In 2019 you go back to anoda party. Now 2025 you dey go anoda party. To rescue who?" Wike ask. E tell former minister of interior, Arebesola say n aim Nigerians dey angry wit becos im make dem wait for many many months before dem for fit get dia international passport. Di minister declare say as all of dem don comot from power, dem no go come back.
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Can Nigeria's new opposition coalition defeat Tinubu?
Abuja: According to the opposition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) can challenge President Bola Tinubu'sgrip on power at the 2027 general election in Nigeria. The ADC coalition, led by former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Vice President of Nigeria Abubakar Atiku, says it is uniting to address what they describe as the country's worsening economic condition under the Tinubu administration. Nigeria's opposition is reeling from defections of top leaders and politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Aside from Obi and Atiku, the coalition includes former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi. "We are fighting for the soul of the country, that is what this coalition is about," Yunusa Tanko, a member of the new coalition and coordinator of Obi's so-called "Obidient" movement, told DW. "The Nigerian system is in a bad state — there's hunger in the land, rising insecurity, and clear disdain for democratic values," Tanko said. "Many true democrats believe the system must be rejigged. This coalition is a collective effort to fight for the soul of Nigeria and defend the essence of democracy. It's also about making sure hunger doesn't wipe away the people in the midst of plenty." Nigeria has regularly held peaceful elections since the return of democracy in 1999, despite allegations of electoral fraud, political violence and corruption. Reaction from President Tinubu's allies While supporters of the coalition remain optimistic of victory in the 2027 polls, Tinubu's ruling APC dismissed the new party as a coalition of "retired politicians without electoral value." Binta Garba Massi, a former lawmaker and supporter of Tinubu, told DW: "Coalition in a democratic setting — this is healthy to me. But the process of trying to unseat an incumbent president is another issue." She cited the time when the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, the APC (which was then in opposition) had formed a coalition. "But now... I think it's an entirely different ball game," she said. Coalitions are not new in Nigerian politics. The country's opposition has tried this before. In 2015, the APC itself was born from a coalition that succeeded in defeating then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. That coalition broke the PDP's 16-year grip on power, leading to the election of then-opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari. However, observers note that the dynamics are significantly different now. "I think it's too early to say if the coalition can make any real impact," Mallam Baba Yusuf, a political analyst, told DW. "If we consider the current political dynamics in Nigeria, it seems more like just another political gathering," Baba Yusuf explained, adding that President Tinubu and others in the APC have decades of experience in opposition and were able to unseat an incumbent in 2015. "Their methodology, approach, and mindset were quite different from what we're seeing now. Unless the current opposition leaders significantly change their strategy, I don't see them making much of a dent." Economic challenges deepen Since taking office in May 2023, President Tinubu's government has implemented bold economic reforms—ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira—in an effort to attract foreign investment and restructure public finances. A recent World Bank report stated that Nigeria's economy had recorded its largest growth in the past decade. However, Nigerians have been feeling the pinch; the cost of living has surged, and millions are struggling to afford basic necessities, including food, housing, and transportation. For many grappling with inflation, joblessness, and rising insecurity, the coalition promises a new political vehicle — but its chances remain uncertain. "As they are coalescing, the current administration is strategizing. There is insecurity in almost every part of Nigeria — is that the fault of the APC?" Garba Massi, a Tinubu ally, said. "Some of the people fighting the president today were helped by him to grow politically. But rest assured, APC is still standing strong and waxing stronger. At the end of the day, APC will clinch that seat in 2027 by the special grace of God." Organizers of the ADC coalition say discussions are ongoing with a roadmap to register the party and present a single opposition presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
