2027: Peter Obi speaks on merger deal with PDP, NNPP

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has clarified that no merger or collaboration has been reached with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other political group.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians seeking change to unite against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections.

He criticized the APC’s governance, pointing to increased insecurity, widespread corruption, and escalating public debt under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Obi also condemned the misuse of public funds, attributing it to excessive international trips by government officials in 2024.

He described the current security situation as dire, citing ongoing incidents of banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings that claim lives daily.

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday in Lagos, emphasised the critical role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s development and prosperity, saying their leadership at the subnational level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity and rapid national growth.

During a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence, the President expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort for the nation’s progress.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” he said.

President Tinubu called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.

Expressing his commitment to local government development and autonomy, the President stressed its importance for grassroots development and dispelled rumours of disagreement with the governors.

“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”

President Tinubu urged governors to prioritise agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.

He also urged the governors to take pride in their efforts and acknowledged their progress across the states.:

“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.

Reflecting on his leadership journey in the last 19 months, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to thrive given the resilience and leadership demonstrated by the administration.

“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together. I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.

The President announced that he will be visiting Enugu State on January 4 as part of his planned visits to some states of the federation.

President Tinubu welcomed his declaration by ThisDAY newspaper as Man Of The Year.

He commended the newspaper for recognising “what they considered a failure initially, but is now a success.”

Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, described ThisDay’s decision to name President Tinubu Man of the Year as a significant endorsement of the administration’s policies.

He noted that the acknowledgement from a media outlet known for critical media coverage during the campaign reflects the tangible progress made under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest.

“So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos, store them for the rainy day. So, in terms of agriculture, the policy is working. We’ll continue to deepen that and ensure we are 100% sustained in food security and feed the whole of West Africa,” he said.

The governor urged the President to visit various states to see the ongoing transformations and progress firsthand.

He assured the President of the steadfast support of the governors, particularly in contributing to local security architecture to further enhance the nation’s security.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term”, Governor Abdulrazaq said.

“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” the governor said.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
January 1, 2025.

In a rare diplomatic exchange, both the Australian and Nigerian governments have issued travel advisories warning their citizens about traveling to each other’s countries due to prevailing security risks and societal issues.

On December 31, 2024, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued a strong travel advisory against visiting Nigeria, citing concerns over terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and civil unrest. The advisory urged Australian citizens to reconsider travel plans, emphasizing the heightened risks in various regions across the country.

In response, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released its own travel advisory for Nigerians planning to visit Australia. The advisory highlighted increasing cases of racial discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes against foreigners, including antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. Specific reference was made to a disturbing December 2024 incident in Woollahra, Sydney, where a car was set on fire, and anti-Israel graffiti was sprayed on nearby buildings. The Nigerian government called for vigilance and precaution among its citizens traveling to Australia.

The reciprocal advisories reflect growing tensions and concerns over security and cultural dynamics in both nations. While Australia is known for its multiculturalism, the Nigerian government’s statement emphasized recent challenges in tolerance, advising citizens to remain cautious and mindful of their surroundings.

Nigerians in Australia experiencing harassment or discrimination have been urged to contact the Nigerian High Commission in Canberra for assistance.