Politics
Anyone without license will no longer drive Nigeria – Obi
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has stated that it is time for the country to be rescued from the leadership failure which has continued to dwarf its growth and development over the years.
Speaking at Jamie Pajoel International Leadership Conference in Owerri, yesterday, Obi likened the leadership failure in Nigeria to inexperienced and unlicensed drivers trying to drive a vehicle. He said that such a venture will only end in disaster. He explained that the retrogression that is witnessed in almost every sector of the nation is because there is no true leadership in the country.
“Take for example, our power sector that is not generating enough capacity to power the nation. It has been proven that every 1000 megawatts of electricity generated in a developing country, adds as much as 1% to their GDP. So if we had invested our borrowed funds to generate additional 15,000 megawatts, our GDP would have increased by 15%. By so doing, manufacturing would have moved higher from below 7% level where it is today, enabling us to create at least 4 million jobs,” he said.
Reiterating his stand that the vast landmass in the North remains one of the best assets of the nation, Obi said that it is unfortunate that such treasure is left unexplored, while the country blindly depends on oil revenue. He argued that a visionary leadership would invest in agriculture and put the rich vast lands of the North to good use.
“Borno State is 70900 km in landmass, yet, they have lands that are not yielding anything to the country. Sambisa forest, a vast farmland in Bornu State, is twice the size of Israel, which is just about 22,000km2. Israel produces enough food for its population and for exports, while Nigeria can hardly feed the people.
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“Borno State is twice the size of Netherlands, which is about 33,000km2 in landmass excluding water. Last year, Netherlands exported agricultural products worth of $120 billion. Here the entire country cannot yet feed itself. If Bornu State had achieved 1% of what Netherlands did in agriculture, that would have given the State $1.2 billion, which when converted to naira at the prevailing exchange rate, will comfortably fund the State’s budget, with so much surplus left.
“The difference in all of these is true leadership, which is evidently lacking in Nigeria. That is why I am submitting that from next year, we will no longer allow this vehicle called Nigeria, to be driven by drivers without license. If you must ‘drive this vehicle,’ we must see your license,” Obi submitted.
Concluding, Obi encouraged Nigerians to see the 2023 elections as an opportunity to select capable leaders who can pilot the affairs of the nation. He urged them to eschew all forms of tribal and religious sentiments while choosing capable leaders for the nation. He said”In the coming elections, we refuse to be divided along ethnic and religious lines. I have severally argued that hunger and suffering knows no tribe. There is no where Christians buy bread cheaper than Muslims. The hike in price of diesel, high level of insecurity and every other challenge, is affecting all Nigerians equally, irrespective of tribe and religion. We must then unite as one and rally behind capable leaders with verifiable track records of success, for the sake of our collective interest.”
Politics
2027: Ika Artisans Pledge Five-Position Support for APC After Morka’s Engagement
Members of the Ika South Artisans Association in Delta State have pledged support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates across five electoral positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The artisans made the declaration on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an enlarged engagement with the APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, in Agbor, Delta State.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Morka to highlight the economic and infrastructural development efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, while addressing the concerns and empowerment needs of artisans.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Morka described artisans as indispensable contributors to national development, noting that their skills and services were essential to sectors such as housing, transportation, infrastructure and other areas of everyday life.
Speaking on the economy, he defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, explaining that the government inherited significant fiscal challenges, including fuel subsidy payments and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
He said the reforms had strengthened government revenues and increased the financial capacity of federal, state and local governments to execute development projects.
The APC spokesman also highlighted increased federal allocations to Delta State, saying the improved revenue position could accelerate infrastructure delivery and improve the lives of residents.
He cited major federal projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside ongoing road construction and bridge projects, as evidence of the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal efforts.
At the state level, Morka commended Governor Oborevwori for prioritising infrastructure development and executing projects aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating economic activities across Delta State.
Addressing the artisans’ concerns, he promised to facilitate their access to government empowerment programmes by identifying relevant federal and state initiatives and connecting the association’s leadership with the heads of agencies responsible for implementing them.
Morka also urged the participants to understand the constitutional responsibilities of elected officials and make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on them to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, Oborevwori and other APC candidates.
He specifically appealed to women at the gathering to support greater female representation in elective offices, urging them to back the APC candidate for Ika South Constituency, Hon. Cordelia Anyagwu, in her bid for election into the Delta State House of Assembly.
Other APC leaders and stakeholders at the engagement included the Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior; Dr. Donald Peterson; Hon. Emmanuel Osazuwa; Hon. Frank Izekor; and Hon. Cosmas Igbenije.
In their response, the artisans declared their readiness to support the APC across the five electoral positions of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
Morka thanked the association’s leadership and members for their participation, assuring them that their concerns and aspirations would receive appropriate attention.
Politics
Peter Obi, Kwankwaso to Hold NDC Town Hall Meeting in Benue Today
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will visit Benue State on Wednesday for a town hall meeting as part of efforts to promote their vision for a new Nigeria.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, will take place at Mission House, beside Benue Links Park, Wurukum, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Arrive in Calabar
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates to engage residents of the state and communicate their political vision ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the visit, Obi described Benue as the Food Basket of the Nation and said the delegation was taking its message of a new Nigeria to the state.
“PO IN BENUE.
“We are taking the message of a New Nigeria to the Food Basket of the Nation today,” the announcement read.
The town hall meeting is part of the party’s political engagement activities as Obi and Kwankwaso seek to build support for their joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Politics
Shettima Arrives Jigawa for APC Presidential Campaign Rally, Tinubu to Inaugurate Four Projects
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima arrived at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport, Dutse, where he was received by Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, alongside governors from other states.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The Vice President’s arrival was disclosed on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
Those present included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, APC stakeholders and other prominent political figures from across the country were also present to welcome the Vice President.
Before proceeding to the Dutse Township Stadium for the campaign rally, Shettima is expected to accompany President Tinubu to inaugurate four projects in the state.
The projects include the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, Jigawa State’s agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road project in Dutse.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening technical education, promoting skills acquisition, improving agricultural mechanisation and enhancing road infrastructure across the state.





