Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reacted to reports of arrests involving members of the Obidient Movement in Akwa Ibom State, saying Nigeria’s independence means little without freedom.

Obi, in a statement posted on X on Friday, said citizens should be able to express themselves within the bounds of the law without fear.

SEE ALSO: ‘Nigerians Are Living as Displaced Persons in Their Own Country’ — Peter Obi

“As we continue to reflect on Nigeria’s Independence, we must remember that independence means very little if citizens cannot freely express themselves, within the bounds of the law, without fear,” he said.

His comment came after the reported arrest of Elijah Noah, the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, during an attempted Independence Day march in Uyo.

Reports also said police fired tear gas as supporters gathered for the planned march, while Obidient Movement coordinator in the state, Dr Ben Smith, was later reportedly arrested after going to facilitate the release of detained members.

The development followed a directive by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings and processions planned for Independence Day, citing security concerns.

Reacting to the reports, Obi said the arrest of Nigerians for identifying with the Obidient Movement should concern anyone who believes in democracy and freedom.

“One of the greatest tragedies of our society is that people who once described themselves as freedom fighters can become defenders of oppression when they eventually occupy positions of authority,” Obi said.

He added that those who had previously complained about injustice should not become comfortable with it when it is perpetrated against people they disagree with.

“That must not be the Nigeria we accept,” he said.

Obi said Nigeria’s independence should ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.

“Our independence must ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.

“Nigeria must belong to all of us,” he added.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has said the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) now has a clear schedule for student loan payments based on submissions from institutions.
Ahmad made the disclosure while responding to concerns over alleged delays in the payment of student loans.

The minister acknowledged that there were challenges when the scheme initially commenced but said NELFUND and institutions have become more familiar with the process.

SEE ALSO: NELFUND: ‘Have You Given Students ₦5,000 Scholarship?’ — NANS President Replies Dino Melaye

“I wouldn’t say there is much delay in the payment because as I said, NELFUND now has a clear schedule for payment based on submission from the institutions,” she said.

“When it started, I said we had issues, but now we are used to the system now. The universities are familiar with the system, NELFUND itself is more familiar with the institutions and how it works.”

Ahmad also explained that complaints about delays may sometimes arise from individual cases or misunderstandings of the payment process.

She further clarified that students are required to apply for the NELFUND loan every academic year and are not automatically covered for the duration of their programmes after their initial application.

“You need to apply every year because we don’t know whether you are still interested in getting that loan,” the minister said.

According to her, students’ financial circumstances can change, meaning that a student who required the loan in one academic year may no longer need it in another.

Ahmad stressed that students are not compelled to take the NELFUND loan, adding that those who wish to benefit must apply before they can be paid.

She disclosed that more than 1.6 million students have so far keyed into the NELFUND scheme.

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the plight of Nigerians displaced from their communities by insecurity and forced to live in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Obi made the remarks in an Independence Day post shared on his official X account as Nigeria marks its 66th anniversary.

READ MORE: Nigeria@66: Tinubu Has Plunged Nigeria Into Its Worst Cost-of-Living Crisis – Atiku Slams Tinubu

The NDC presidential candidate said he recently visited Sokoto State alongside Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they held consultations on insecurity, out-of-school children, poverty, youth unemployment, drug abuse and other challenges confronting residents.

According to Obi, their visit to the Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ramin Kura within Sokoto metropolis was particularly troubling.

He said thousands of women and children were living in deplorable conditions after being displaced from their homes and deprived of basic necessities.

“Many of the children have no access to education. Mothers and children have limited access to basic healthcare,” Obi said.

He questioned why Nigerians who should be living in their communities, attending school, farming their land, running businesses and contributing to the economy are instead living in displacement camps.

“These are Nigerians who should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting their businesses and contributing to the economy. Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country,” he said.

Obi said the situation reflects some of the broader challenges confronting Nigeria, including insecurity, poverty, lack of access to education and inadequate healthcare.

He argued that Independence Day should provide an opportunity for honest national reflection and for Nigerians to examine whether the country is moving in the direction envisioned by its founding fathers.

The former Anambra governor said Nigeria remains richly endowed with human and natural resources, but stressed that the country must convert those resources into human development, security, productivity and shared prosperity.