Former Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, has challenged Labour Party presidential hopeful Peter Obi over his previous “one kobo” statement on alleged indebtedness.

Afegbua made the remarks while discussing inherited liabilities and the efforts of governments to settle outstanding obligations.

According to him, the fact that an administration inherits funds alongside existing liabilities does not eliminate the responsibility to settle debts owed to individuals or institutions.

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Drawing a comparison with Obi, Afegbua said the former Anambra State governor had previously challenged anyone to produce evidence that he owed even one kobo, promising to back down from the presidential race if such evidence was provided.

“We are not like Peter Obi that says he’s not owing one kobo. And even if anybody—he challenges anybody that if they show him one kobo, that he should… he will back down from the race.

“They have shown him more than one kobo, he has not backed down from the race,” Afegbua said.

He illustrated his argument with a hypothetical example of a person inheriting ₦20 million from a parent who had outstanding debts of ₦18.5 million.

Afegbua said the fact that the inherited money exceeded the debt would not remove the obligation to pay those owed.

“The crux of the matter is that your dad was owing people, even though the money he gave to you was more than what he was owing people. He didn’t pay them at that time. That point must be established,” he said.

The former commissioner also criticised what he described as attempts by politicians to present themselves as moral authorities despite controversies surrounding their records.

“You see, it is very difficult for people to wear the—I said it the last time I came here—for people to wear the moralist’s garb and begin to preach morality when the evidences before them do not portray that moralist badge that they try to wear,” he said.

Afegbua further pointed to Obi’s long history in public life, noting that the former Anambra governor had been a prominent public figure for years, including his time in the banking sector.

“So, Peter Obi has not been living in isolation. He has been a public figure for quite a long time when he got into Fidelity Bank, became its chairman, and all of that,” Afegbua said.

He added that Obi should not, in his view, present scenarios that do not reflect reality.
“And he should not be bamboozling us with all kinds of scenarios that don’t exist,” he added.

Afegbua’s comments come amid renewed political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Recalls that Obi has previously made public challenges over claims concerning his record. In a recent interview, he also said he would withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if anyone established that any of the academic credentials he presented were false.

“If they find anyone wrong, I will drop from the race,” Obi said.

The Ogun State Police Command has commenced early preparations for the 2027 General Elections, urging political actors and other stakeholders to work together to prevent violence and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

The Command began a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on Tuesday at Event Towers, Ibara, Abeokuta, with the theme, “Elections, Security, The Law, Stakeholders & The Media.”

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The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Development Communication Research Centre Ltd. (DCRC), brought together representatives of security agencies, electoral institutions, political parties, the media, legal and human rights bodies, professional associations and community organisations.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Rtd. AIG Sola Subair, said security agencies, electoral institutions, political parties, the media and other stakeholders had a collective responsibility to preserve electoral peace and protect the democratic process.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, stressed that election security should not begin on election day.

He called for early preparation, professionalism, political neutrality, intelligence sharing, respect for fundamental rights and stronger coordination among stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to deploy its personnel and resources professionally to maintain a safe and peaceful environment before, during and after the elections.

The Commissioner also warned against allowing criminal elements and political violence to undermine the electoral process, stressing the need for stakeholders to operate within the law.

The workshop features participation from the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, vigilante groups, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Bar Association, Police Community Relations Committee, political parties, media organisations and civil society groups.

Professor Bolu John Folayan, Executive Consultant to the workshop, said stakeholders needed a clearer understanding of their respective responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act.

According to him, improved knowledge of these responsibilities would strengthen coordination and reduce avoidable friction during elections.

The technical sessions include a keynote presentation by Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf on the relationship between elections, security, the law, professional conduct and responsible communication.

The workshop will continue on Wednesday, September 30, with sessions focusing on election security, stakeholder responsibilities, community engagement, media relations and contemporary social media management.

The Ogun Police Command said the initiative forms part of its proactive approach to election security and its commitment to ensuring a peaceful electoral environment across the state.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on political leaders and their supporters to embrace peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no electoral prize is worth the life of a Nigerian.

Akpabio made the call on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after its annual recess, while identifying insecurity, flooding and the high cost of living among the pressing national concerns requiring attention.

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The Senate President expressed concern over the abduction of Nigerians in Marisa and at Dekera Mosque, saying sympathy alone was not enough to address the situation.

He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those held captive and protect vulnerable communities with renewed vigour.

On the economy, Akpabio urged political and economic leaders to ensure that ongoing reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Turning to the 2027 elections, he called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns, urging political actors to avoid actions that could lead to violence and loss of lives.

Akpabio stressed that no electoral prize was worth the life of any Nigerian.

Tinubu’s Communications Before Senate

During the sitting, six communications from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were read before the Senate.

The communications included requests for confirmation of appointments, approval of the 2026 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as establishment bills.

One of the bills seeks to establish the National Research and Development Fund.

The communications and bills were referred to the relevant Senate committees for consideration and further legislative action.

The Senate also mourned the deaths of former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris and the late Emir of Gumel, Ahmed Muhammad Sani.

The latest resumption followed an earlier postponement of the Senate and House of Representatives’ plenary.

The National Assembly had initially been scheduled to resume from its annual recess on September 15, 2026, but the resumption was postponed to September 29 to allow ongoing rehabilitation and renovation work in the legislative chambers to be completed.