The South Africans who have been shedding tears should come and listen to this. Whenever we say Nigeria is your saviour, your grandfather and one of the major reasons South Africa survived its darkest days, you should not object. In many respects, Nigeria stood as your strongest ally, helper, and defender when it mattered most. Your revered Nelson Mandela, whom generations of South Africans celebrate today, found refuge through the efforts of Nigerians during the apartheid era. Former Nigerian Minister Mbazulike Amaechi reportedly sheltered Mandela in 1963 while the apartheid regime hunted him relentlessly. Perhaps the reason Mandela sought safety beyond South Africa was because some of his own people could not be trusted in those dangerous times. History has shown that betrayals often come from within. Your former President, Thabo Mbeki, also spent significant years in Nigeria between 1977 and 1984. Nigeria's legendary diplomat, Jaja Wachuku, equally played a crucial role in international efforts that helped prevent Mandela from facing the death penalty during the 1963–1964 Rivonia Trial. These are historical facts that cannot be erased #BafanaMexico #FIFAWorldCup #FWC2026

Around this same period in 2022, ahead of the 2023 presidential election, many Nigerian youths who had been deceived, misled and convinced that Peter Obi was some kind of political messiah sent to rescue Nigeria flooded the streets in solidarity with his ambition under the banner of the #OneMillionMarch. The level of enthusiasm and devotion was so intense that even if God Himself had told them that Peter Obi was simply another political disaster cleverly repackaged for public consumption, many of them would never have believed it. This was the period when the Obidients movement was at its loudest, dominating national conversations and generating massive public momentum across the country. Fast forward to 2026, on the eve of another presidential cycle, and the situation tells a completely different story. Many of those who organized, championed, promoted and passionately defended the movement have since come to what they believe is a different understanding of Peter Obi. They have distanced themselves after observing what they consider his political carelessness, poor calculation, lack of strategic growth, and a carefully packaged public image that, in their view, has never in any way matched Nigeria expectations. It therefore comes as no surprise that the streets are no longer witnessing the kind of nationwide demonstrations, spontaneous mobilization and overwhelming excitement that characterized the movement in 2022. Many who once saw him as the answer to Nigeria's problems now say they have come to understand what they regard as the real Peter Obi; a politician whose style they describe as "use and dump," whose approach they believe is often "talk and not do," and whose political rhetoric, in the view of many, has not translated into corresponding action. Perhaps that is why the slogan "talk is cheap" has increasingly become associated with public criticism of his political brand. The difference between 2022 and 2026 is clear; while one period was defined by enthusiasm and expectation, the other is increasingly shaped by skepticism, questions, and political reassessment.

Beware of Obi and his supporters, learn from the LP crisis — Abure to Dickson. Should you be searching for the best advice of the year..

A disastrously incompetent leader like Peter Obi could only command the loyalty of followers who are equally deluded, politically gullible and incapable of separating sentiment from reality. May I take this opportunity to tell Peter that even in your next life, you can never be President of Nigeria with this kind of sense you have and your misleading narratives. Your relationship with the truth has completely collapsed. You manufacture and spread falsehoods with a level of brazenness that suggests you have long abandoned any concern for honesty, accountability or shame. First, you claimed that Nigeria's debt has risen to about N200 trillion and attempts to create the impression that all of the increase resulted from fresh borrowing by the Tinubu administration. This is misleading because a substantial portion of the increase comes from exchange-rate revaluation following the naira floatation. When the naira depreciated, external debts previously denominated in dollars automatically appeared much larger in naira terms even without new borrowing. Second, you compared Tinubu's debt accumulation with Buhari's era without acknowledging the different economic realities facing both administrations. Such a comparison ignores the impact of exchange-rate adjustments, inherited fiscal obligations, subsidy removal costs, and the need to finance major infrastructure and economic reforms. Third, you suggested that there is no accountability regarding borrowed funds. That is a serious allegation, yet he provides no evidence that the funds were stolen, diverted, or unaccounted for. Borrowing approvals, budget implementation reports, debt records, and expenditure documents are publicly available through relevant government agencies and are subject to legislative oversight. Fourth, you question what the borrowed funds were used for, as if there are no visible projects or interventions to point to. Nigerians can see ongoing federal road projects, student loan programmes, rail and transport investments, security spending, state intervention funds, and other capital projects being executed across the country. Fifth, you highlights that capital expenditure fell short of budget projections but fails to mention that budget implementation is not measured solely by capital spending. Governments also have obligations relating to security, salaries, pensions, debt servicing, social investments, and economic stabilisation programmes. Most troubling is your foolish attempt to insinuate, without evidence, that borrowed funds may have been diverted to political activities or a 2027 campaign fund. Such allegations may generate headlines, but responsible public discourse requires proof, not speculation. Opposition politics is important in a democracy, but criticism should be based on complete facts, not selective statistics designed to create a false impression that every naira borrowed under the current administration has disappeared without trace. Nigerians deserve facts not fear-mongering.

Many of the hoodlums who now see kidnapping as a lucrative business and venture into it were encouraged by the way captured terrorists and criminals were rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. When criminals see that those responsible for serious acts of terror can eventually return to society, it sends the wrong signal and weakens the deterrent effect of the law. If the punishment for such crimes had been swift and severe such as Klll at the spot, many would think twice before engaging in kidnapping. Instead of reducing, the menace has continued to intensify, with more criminals viewing it as a profitable enterprise. Our deserving President @officialABAT should look into this..

"Shameless lot" — Actress Peggy Ovire calls out Frederick Leonard for allegedly dating a married woman with four children; demands he appear in court for their divorce.

I said it in one of my posts yesterday; there is no Northern state that Peter Obi is likely to win. At best, he can only make a modest impact in Kano, largely because of the Kwankwaso factor. As expected, some lunatics called Obidients went frenzy, hurling insults and dismissing the argument without addressing the facts. Well, today's report from punch seems to have delivered a reality check. Sometimes,emotions and wishful thinking are no substitute for political realities on the ground.

"It is only Ndi Igbo that will be stupid enough to beat up someone like Chief Joe Igbokwe in Lagos without first, counting the cost and consequent implication of such misadventure." Few days ago, APC chieftain, Chief Joe Igbokwe was nearly mobbed by traders at Ladipo Market. A spare parts market largely populated and controlled by Igbo traders. He escaped the angry mob of Igbo traders through what our people call, nganga ka ejiri agbalu efi ọsọ. It is with elderly wisdom and pride you escape a mad cow. Let me say this without any form of equivocation, It is only my people that will be stupid enough to beat up someone like Chief Joe Igbokwe in Lagos without first counting the cost and consequent implication of such misadventure. This is akin to the same stupidity exhibited by Chukwuma Nzeogwu and his co-travellers in 1966, when in the name of fighting corruption, they wiped out the most prominent Northern, South Western and Mid-Western political elites. Within few days, the stupid actions of these few men, became known for life as an Igbo coup. And this misadventure, set the stage for our political downward spiral in Nigeria. Assuming, those misguided traders at Ladipo beat up Joe Igbokwe, the news would have moved from emphasis on the traders to Igbo people. One who does not know better will think there was somewhere Ndi Igbo gathered and instructed the traders at Ladipo, who were largely Ndi Igbo, to beat up Chief Joe Igbokwe. Now, to make this matter more worrisome and culpable for our people, the most vocal people cheering and rejoicing since this news broke out are mainly Ndi Igbo. Again, this scenario is similar to how our people rejoiced and cheered when the news of the elimination of prominent Nigerian politicians from other tribes by the January 15 1966 coup plotters, who were coincidentally, largely Ndi Igbo. It is shameful our people have found it extremely difficult to learn from history. How did it elude the traders that to mob and possibly injure or even kill Joe Igbokwe would have provided a masterstroke opportunity to make stringent laws against Ndi Igbo in Lagos? It could have lead to the total shut down of Ladipo market for months. It could also lead to the end of Ndi Igbo assuming leadership positions of markets in Lagos. Surely, the tragedy could trigger a new market law that could checkmate Ndi Igbo in a way their economic hold on Lagos would be determined by the powers that be. (Once you completely control a man's economic power, you have surely subdued such man.) In orchestrating the above, no one will say it is revenge or jealousy from the Yorubas against the Igbos. After all, the victim was an Igbo person. So, the deft move will appear altruistic and innocuous on the surface. When this happens, the same people cheering and rejoicing today will start to cry about Igbo marginalisation in Lagos without honestly admitting how a few of us conveniently provided the canon fodder used in systematically weakening all of us out. I therefore say, it is shocking how a few of us keep taking actions that end up destroying all of us as a people politically. Our ancients warned, ofu aka rụta mmanụ ozue ọra ọnụ. If one finger touches oil, it must surely stain other fingers. In the light of the above, what happened in Lagos few days ago deserves strong censure and condemnation from any right thinking Igbo elite or Onye Igbo. The targeting of Chief Igbokwe does not reflect our collective values and ethos as Ndi Igbo. It is not in our culture to mob those who disagree with us! (Egbe belu, Ugo belu). It is not in our culture to kill our own! (Zelu ibe nne). We will not let the actions of few misguided charlatans amongst us define who we are or drag us down politically or otherwise. I sincerely apologize to Chief Joe Igbokwe. And, I also apologize to the powers that be in Lagos. Finally, to all sensible Ndi Igbo I say, ka nwanne nkapi benataya ọnụ, nwanne awọ zonataya afọ!

LAGOS AND YORUBAS ARE INDEED LIBERAL PEOPLE WHO UNITE THIS COUNTRY. I am not going to speak too much English in this post. Ah get headache this evening...I am not happy because of the assault on Chief Joe igbokwe. This post is to teach or show us that if we can be tolerant and accommodating like the Yorubas, what happened yesterday in Ladipo market wouldn't have happened. All the blood that was wasted in Northern riots wouldn't have taken place. Now ... Did you know that Lagos is the only place in the world where the igboman have been allowed to live like home? Did you know Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was a member of the post colonial Town council representing Lagos? Did you know that Zik was the leader of opposition politics in the western Region at one point? Did you know that the following were former and present members of the federal house of Representatives and Assembly in Lagos or held government positions? 1. Jude Emeka Idimogu 2. Jese okay-Joe Onuakalusi 3. Joe igbokwe 4. Tony Nwulu 5. Rita Orji 6. Oghene Emma Egoh 7. Ben Akabueze Google them and see . Did you know that since 1970 till date , So many Igbos have been chairmen of different markets in Lagos ? Let me give you data of the Alaba market alone. 1. Chief Valentine obasi 2. Chief mbonu Geoffrey 3. Chief Felix Nwagu 4. Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu 5. Emeka Mozoba 6. Uchenna Nnadozie 7. Paulinus ugochukwu 8. Ichie Fabian Ezeorjika 9. High chief Camilius Amajuoyi This is just for the Alaba market alone. Oya tell me where else Igbos or strangers are allowed freedom to compete and to even dominate the indigenous people like this? Please there is a need for us as Nigerian to love one another and respect one another. Let peace reign. The tension in the polity is too much. Imagine if the attack on Chief Joe igbokwe got too much yesterday and the Lagos state government goes to shut down that market? We would have said they're targeting Igbos. But we obviously crossed our boundaries. This is a state that tolerates everyone but we can't even tolerate our brother who shares a different opinion? C'mon nau... that's bad . Ugoji Maximillian. MrP Gistlover

Who advised @DeleFarotimi to keep a safe distance from @PeterObi, or has he finally realized that the man is politically empty both inside and outside? Because around this same period during the last election cycle, Dele had already gone into full sermon mode, crying, wailing and evangelizing as though Obi was about to transform Nigeria into Dubai Pro Max overnight. Today, the noise has faded, the endless hype has disappeared, and the blind excitement seems to have given way to reality. Perhaps experience has finally taught him what many people saw from the very beginning.

You must stop sounding so illogical and uninformed. A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. These criminals did not suddenly fall from the sky without any ethnic, social or geographical background. It is astonishing that a man desperately seeking to become President would make such a shallow, weak and intellectually dishonest argument. In your desperate attempt to shield your Igbo brothers, many of whom have been arrested and convicted for crimes ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery and to terrorism, you chose to play the victim card. At the same time, in an effort to appear balanced regarding the Fulani groups that many Nigerians associate with the organized kidnapping and violent criminality, you resorted to the tired claim that they are being "unfairly judged." That is not statesmanship. That is cowardice dressed up as political correctness. A serious leader confronts realities as they are, not as he wishes them to be. Criminality should be condemned wherever it exists, regardless of tribe, ethnicity or political convenience. My Ogun kpai you and all of generation for this dishonest and unreasonable thinking. You this Oloriburuku of a man desperately seeking to be President..

The traders in Ladipo Market who attempted to mob Joe Igbokwe are playing a very dangerous game with their own means of livelihood. Anyone who jokes with the source of their daily bread is acting foolishly. They should learn from what recently happened at Onitsha Main Market, where the Governor Soludo's administration demolished thousands of shops without sentiment. When the government decides to act, social media noise will not save anyone. Those hailing and applauding them online today will not be there tomorrow when shops are sealed, businesses are disrupted, or livelihoods are threatened. Social media supporters are always loud when there is trouble, but they are nowhere to be found when the consequences arrive. Ironically, it is often people like Joe Igbokwe, individuals with access to and influence within the state government, who end up intervening and helping traders when government actions become harsh. Meanwhile, someone sitting comfortably in Aba or Onitsha may be encouraging you to confront authorities and jeopardize your business in Lagos, while they remain safely in their own environment, minding their affairs and facing none of the consequences. Wisdom demands that people protect their livelihoods, not recklessly gamble with them for the entertainment of online cheerleaders who have absolutely nothing to lose. #Ngozi #Makoko #Rufai #DeleMomodu

The traders in Ladipo Market who attempted to mob Joe Igbokwe are playing a very dangerous game with their own means of livelihood. Anyone who jokes with the source of their daily bread is acting foolishly. They should learn from what recently happened at Onitsha Main Market, where the Governor Soludo's administration demolished thousands of shops without sentiment. When the government decides to act, social media noise will not save anyone. Those hailing and applauding them online today will not be there tomorrow when shops are sealed, businesses are disrupted, or livelihoods are threatened. Social media supporters are always loud when there is trouble, but they are nowhere to be found when the consequences arrive. Ironically, it is often people like Joe Igbokwe, individuals with access to and influence within the state government, who end up intervening and helping traders when government actions become harsh. Meanwhile, someone sitting comfortably in Aba or Onitsha may be encouraging you to confront authorities and jeopardize your business in Lagos, while they remain safely in their own environment, minding their affairs and facing none of the consequences. Wisdom demands that people protect their livelihoods, not recklessly gamble with them for the entertainment of online cheerleaders who have absolutely nothing to lose. #Ngozi #Makoko #Rufai #DeleMomodu

My sister has just been posted to Jigawa State for her one-year compulsory @officialnyscng service. With the alarming rate of insecurity across parts of the country, must a graduate from the South-West be sent all the way to Jigawa State to serve? What is being done to these young Nigerians, who are expected to serve their fatherland, is a serious disservice to their safety, welfare, and peace of mind. Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, why is it so difficult to post corps members within the regions where they studied, reside, or voluntarily choose to serve? Why insist on sending them thousands of kilometres away from home, often into environments they are unfamiliar with and where security concerns remain a constant worry? The primary responsibility of any institution is to protect the lives and wellbeing of the people under its care, not to deliberately expose them to avoidable risks. The NYSC scheme was created to promote national unity, not to leave families living in fear for the safety of their children.

Meet and Greet the Presidential Candidate of NDC..

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗮𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 A married woman, Oluchi, faked her abduction and demanded N50m ransom, but was found in a Delta hotel with her lover. Four arrested in connection with the..

Have it on record today; Rabiu Kwankwaso will eventually decamp from the NDC at the very moment it becomes too late for the party to substitute or change the names of its candidates. When that happens, the NDC will be left stranded, with no viable alternative and no room for political maneuvering, ultimately risking disqualification from the presidential race. Many may dismiss this prediction today, but time has a way of exposing political calculations and hidden agendas. The signs are already there for those paying close attention. Mark this statement and revisit it when the political drama begins to unfold.

No matter what they try to introduce to stampede President Tinubu’s re-election bid, I am glad to tell them that the 2027 presidential election is Tinubu vs Tinubu. The only person capable of stopping Bola Ahmed Tinubu from securing a second term is Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. Unless he decides that he is no longer interested in seeking re-election, the likes of Atiku and the rest will merely be spectators in the contest. As things stand today, the road to 2027 runs through Tinubu, and the biggest challenge to his re-election remains Tinubu himself.

If Rabiu Kwankwaso eventually parts ways with Peter Obi and aligns with Donald Duke in the PRP, Obi may find himself politically isolated. What would remain then? More church appearances, more "Yes Daddy" chants, and perhaps holding on to the South-East as his only reliable base. Abandoning a growing coalition platform for a political NGO (NDC) could end up being one of the biggest strategic mistakes of his political career. Politics is about building alliances, not shrinking your support base. Peter obi should learn for kwankwanso...

Even Lienus Peter Obi looks uncertain of his position as the NDC’s presidential flag bearer. His recent actions, body language and political calculations scream anxiety rather than confidence. A politician who genuinely commands his party's ticket does not act like a man constantly looking over his shoulder. His current behavior betrays an underlying vulnerability.