Politics

Full Text of Mr Peter Obi’s CNN Interview with Zane Asher

Published

4 years ago

September 17, 2022

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Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi says the problems facing Nigeria are not ones that can be solved overnight but believes the challenges can be solved by a competent leader with the required commitment. Obi made the disclosure during his appearance on American media corporation Cables News Network (CNN).

Full text of the Interview:

Zane Asher >> Mr. Obi thank you so much for being with us. You’re certainly the most popular presidential candidate among young people in Nigeria, there’s so much momentum behind you. But here’s the problem. Nigerians are used to being disappointed by their leaders, and what do you think about some of the problems that are facing the country right now, they are systemic. I’m talking about the corruption, I’m talking about oil theft, I’m talking about insecurity, I’m talking about the fiscal hole that Nigeria is in right now. Can all of that really be solved by one person?

Peter Obi >> Well, if you have a leader that is competent, has the capacity and commitment to start dealing with these challenges, you’re not going to solve it overnight, but there will be a clear, visible, measurable attempt to deal with these. And there is nothing that is not solve-able. Some issues just have to be dealt with decisively. But you need to have a capable leader such that when you look at his past records in office, you can say YES – He is capable.

Zane Asher >> If you do, indeed, become Nigeria’s next president, Nigeria you know, is broke. It’s barely able to service its debts. It spends so much more that it earns. What are your plans? From a concrete perspective, what are your plans to take Nigeria’s economy off of life support?

Peter Obi >> Well, a variety of things. One, is that we have to deal decisively with the issue of insecurity. It’s impacting negatively on our economy. We have to deal with it head on. We have to get our finances right — and start ensuring that the vast lands of the north are invested in and cultivated. We have to start pulling people out of poverty as quickly as possible. We have to immediately reduce aggressively, the cost of governance, and the issue of corruption.

Zane Asher >> Anyone who knows anything about Nigeria knows that it has this embarrassing reputation of importing refined fuel, despite the fact that it’s Africa’s largest oil producer. What is your plan for transforming Nigeria’s economy from a consumption economy to a production economy?

Peter Obi >> Let me tell you it’s not the issue of refineries not working — there’s no reason why we should not encourage the private sector to operate refineries. It can be done as quickly as possible. We can today, decide to remove the oil subsidies, and use the resources to invest in and support the principal areas of production; from critical infrastructure to education, to supporting investment in refinery, which will be, done in the shortest amount of time.

Zane Asher >> A lot of Nigerian presidents have come in and talked about revitalizing the manufacturing sector, investing in refineries, but change, as you know, has been very, very slow. Why is it going to be different with you and what would you say were the biggest hurdles in making sure that all of the things that you just listed come to pass?

Peter Obi >> Well, what people need to do is to look at what I promised as the state governor. When I said was going to turn around education, health, pull people out of poverty, bring sanity and civility in governance — did that happen or not?

When I said we were going to save money, did we do that? Yes, we did.

Zane Asher >> I want to talk about one of the major issues that Nigeria is dealing with, grappling with right now. That’s violence and insecurity. You can barely travel from one part of Nigeria to another without fearing for your life. I’m talking about kidnapping. I’m talking about banditry. I’m talking about terrorism, I’m talking about Boko Haram. What is your plan for that?

Peter Obi >> Initially, what we first have to deal with is the issue of security. Unless you have security, the farmers can’t — you can’t have investment. Nobody will ever want to put or invest money in an insecure country. So we will deal this issue of insecurity decisively. We will start by reorganizing our security architecture. We will then bring in more hands into the security system, and motivate them properly, so that we can defeat the issue of insecurity . It’s the most important thing that Nigeria needs today.

Zane Asher >> You and I are both Nigerians, were are both from southeastern Nigeria. It’s a very hard country to hold together. You have too manage about 200 million people, with so many different tribes, so many different ideas. When you think about the fact that you are from the southeast, how easy is it going to be to rally Nigerians from the north behind you? That’s got to be on your mind?

Peter Obi >> That was the situation obtainable in the past. We used to elect leaders based on ethnicity, religion, strong connection etc, and that has brought us to the bad situation we are in today. “Our structure”, the structure of criminality, is what we want to dismantle now. We want to ensure that the next election is based on character, capacity, competence, commitment to do the right thing. Nigeria not just in a fiscal mess, it is at the last stage to collapse. The people in the north don’t have a secure place, they don’t have good roads. They don’t buy bread cheaper than those in the South. They people in the south are facing the same issues. All what you hear about ethnicity, religion, connection, is an elite conspiracy to keep Nigeria undeveloped. But now we’ve reached the edge.

Zane Asher >> Thank you for coming on our program.

Peter Obi >> Thank you for inviting me.

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— Ayemojubar  (@ayemojubar) September 16, 2022

Politics

Atiku says 2027 presidential election will be his last outing

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has stated that the 2027 presidential election will be his final outing, citing his age as the primary reason.

The former Vice President made this commitment on Wednesday during an appearance as a guest on the Arise Television programme, Prime Time.

Speaking during the interview, he said, “The 2027 election will be my last outing.”

When asked why Nigerians should vote for him after so many attempts, especially considering his age, Atiku explained that since Nigeria faces a leadership crisis, he represents both the past and the future of the nation.

He recommended leadership training for young Nigerians, asserting that the country was in dire need of it.

Atiku has made multiple attempts to become Nigeria’s president since entering partisan politics.

He took his first shot at the presidency in 1993 during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries, before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola.

He later ran in 2007 under the Action Congress (AC) banner, losing to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

In 2011, the former Vice President contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries but lost the nomination to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He subsequently returned to the PDP to contest the 2019 presidential election, where he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Most recently, in 2023, he again emerged as the PDP candidate but lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Politics

ADC won’t surrender to tyranny — David Mark

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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• ADC will win 2027 election —Atiku

•We need viable candidate to defeat Tinubu —Amaechi

•Nigeria heading to disaster with huge debts —Obi

•Renewed Hope is a scam —Aregbesola

NATIONAL Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, on Tuesday, said the party would not surrender to attempts being made to silence the voice of the people and destroy democracy in the country.

He stated this while speaking at the eighth national convention of the ADC held at Rainbow Events Centre, Abuja.

Mark said since the beginning of the current journey, the ADC had faced many challenges and hurdles as well as fierce and unprecedented betrayal.

He noted that recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have raised fundamental questions about the process that govern our democracy.

However, he told those who orchestrated the obstacles before the ADC that they have not weakened them but rather welded them together, stressing that “Every attempt to suppress this party has only deepened the resolve of our members, widened our coalition, and reminded Nigerians why a strong opposition is not optional; it is essential to democracy’s survival.”

He said, “Forces that feared what a united ADC represents came for us; through the courts, through institutions, through bureaucratic obstruction. They sought to stop this convention from happening. They removed our names from official portals. They denied us preferred venues. They deployed every instrument available to them to ensure that you – the delegates, the members, the owners of this party – would never gather. But we are here.

“At our recent press briefing, we made it clear that the integrity of democratic institutions must be protected at all times. We also made it clear that in an ever shrinking democratic space that is orchestrated by those in the ruling party, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat.

“Dear party members and leaders, let me remind all of us that strong political movements are not built in moments of ease and in comfort. They are built in times like this, when a broken nation cries out for change and the people look for those who would lead with commitment and honesty.

“We will not surrender, because what is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of our democracy. To surrender therefore is to yield to tyranny and therefore become complicit in the destruction of our democracy.

“And let us here be the answer to every doubt, every threat, and every shenanigan designed to keep Nigeria trapped in a one party future. The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence. The ADC belongs to the Nigerian people – and the Nigerian people have spoken by showing up today.”

Mark, who said he accepted the responsibility to lead the party with an unshakable commitment to reposition the ADC as the platform through which Nigeria will be rescued and rebuilt, described the convention as one of the most significant gatherings in recent Nigerian democratic history because it represented the unyielding survival of opposition democracy in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the National Convention Central Coordination Committee, and a former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, urged party leaders and members to be united and resilient amid escalating political pressure.

He described the gathering as defining moment, noting that the convention represented not just a meeting but a convergence of purpose to rebuild Nigeria.

ADC will win 2027 election – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed optimism that the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) will win the forthcoming general elections in 2027.

The Waziri Adamawa stressed the need for all leaders in the party to bring genuine change to tackle all challenges facing the country.

He said, “Every issue, every challenge, every problem confronting us as a country and as a people has been stated on this platform “What I would like to appeal to Nigerians, and particularly members of the ADC, is to make sure that this time around, we really need to change the situation in the country.

“I remember when the APC was being formed, the entire political leadership in this country came to my house. They said, “If you don’t come into the APC, this is not going to be possible.” They literally compelled me to join the APC. Only for us to enter the APC, our economy is gone, our sovereignty is gone, our security is gone, our education is gone, our infrastructure is gone. The healthcare is gone.

“Now, people like me, we must rise and make sure that there is change, genuine change, a serious change to rectify all these challenges that are happening in the country. I am in this game. We are going to win. Because of you, the young men and women, our children and our grandchildren, this country has been good to us.

“And we don’t believe that this country is being good to the current generation, to the youth, to the women, and to the future of this country. That is why we are here today”

ADC needs viable candidate to defeat Tinubu – Amaechi

Also speaking, a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said only a viable candidate can defeat Tinubu in 2027.

He said the economic situation in the country was so bad that the citizens might find it difficult to buy fuel and eat food with the collection of annual company tax.

He said, “June is here. When they start collecting annual company tax, you will see what will happen. Nobody can buy petrol. Nobody can feed. Let me repeat for those who attack me. If you Nigerians are not hungry, I am. You can attack me as much as you want. The situation is bad. It’s terrible.

“And if you think President Tinubu will give you power, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together, decide on a viable candidate. It must be a viable candidate. We did it in APC. When we joined APC, we looked for a viable candidate and we stopped them. No ethnicity, no religion. We are back to square one. It’s ethnicity and religion that brought you here. It’s religion, religion. Today, we are here, no Muslim market, no Christian market. The market is Naira. This is up to you.”

Nigeria heading to disaster with huge debts – Obi

Also speaking, the ADC chieftain and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, underscored the need for unity among critical stakeholders for the sake of the country.

He criticised the government for Nigeria’s ranking in terrorism, increased debts profile, borrowing amidst subsidy removal, and non funding of 2025 budget.

Renewed Hope is a scam – Aregbesola

While presenting the statutory Secretariat Report titled “ADC is Unstoppable because It Is the Son of Nigeria”, the ADC National Secretary and a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, described President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as a scam.

Aregbesola said President Tinubu ought to have stepped aside for failing to provide steady electricity supply. (Tribune)

Politics

Amaechi, Tambuwal, Galadima blasts FG over pressure on opposition, economy

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday openly criticised the administration of Bola Tinubu, accusing it of restricting citizens’ rights, putting pressure on institutions and worsening the economic situation, as other political figures warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing growing strain.

The comments, made at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention, reflected a wider mood among opposition figures, who spoke about political pressure, concerns over the judiciary and the daily realities of hardship and insecurity, while urging greater unity ahead of future elections.

Those who spoke included Amaechi; Former Sokoto state governor Aminu Tambuwal; and opposition figure, Buba Galadima, among other leaders present at the convention.

“What do you say to these men? Men who have no shame. What do you say to the President? What do you say to his officers? They have no shame,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi questioned attempts to stop political gatherings, saying such actions go against constitutional rights, and suggested that those in power were no longer concerned about public opinion.

“Why would a government official try to deny you your right to gather when the Constitution says you can gather?” he asked.

He also spoke about the economic pressure on businesses and ordinary Nigerians, pointing to taxes and asking how government revenue is being used.

“Company tax is now 30%. It means if you have 100 million in your account as a company, they will take 30 million. What are they doing with the money?” he said.

Amaechi linked the situation to insecurity across parts of the country, describing people fleeing their communities and questioning the response of those in authority.

“Your citizens are trekking from one village to another. And you’re doing nothing,” he said.

He warned that the situation could get worse, especially as financial pressures increase, and urged Nigerians to look closely at their living conditions.

“If you Nigerians are not hungry, you can attack me as much as you want. The situation is bad. It’s terrible,” Amaechi added.

‘Let no judge be used to destroy Nigeria’ — Tambuwal warns Judiciary

Aminu Tambuwal focused on the role of the judiciary, warning against outside influence and urging judges to act with integrity at a critical time.

“Let no judge or justice allow himself to be used to destroy Nigeria. History is taking note of our roles as individuals,” Tambuwal said.

He reminded those in positions of authority that their decisions carry long-term consequences and stressed the importance of accountability.

“Those of you who are in privileged positions should be accountable… God Almighty is watching over you,” he said.

Tambuwal also spoke about the need for political actors to work together, describing the moment as one that requires collective effort rather than individual ambition.

“It is about unity of purpose and ambition for this country. It is about our vision and collective desire to rescue Nigeria,” he added.

‘We were threatened out of venue’ — Galadima

Buba Galadima said the convention itself nearly did not hold, alleging that the venue was withdrawn under pressure from authorities.

“We got a message that this venue was actually cancelled because the owner was threatened, that if he allows us to be here, they will revoke his certificate of occupancy,” Galadima said.

He said organisers went ahead with the event despite the situation, describing it as a necessary stand.

“Even if Abuja will burn to ashes today, we will hold this convention in this hall. And so we did,” he said.

Galadima warned that similar pressure could affect political activities going forward and urged those involved to remain firm.

“They may not even allow us to campaign in Nigeria. We must assert ourselves whether they like it or not,” he added. (Vanguard)