I arrived in Abuja from London this morning, thanks to Air Peace Airlines, whose flight arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule. From Abuja, I proceeded immediately to Kaduna. Upon my arrival, I visited the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute, Rigachikun, Kaduna State, an institution I had visited twice in the past and supported in my little way. I was very impressed by the level of progress the institution has made, particularly its approach to blending Islamic education with STEM subjects. This is the kind of holistic education that can equip our young people with both strong values and the knowledge and skills required to thrive in today’s world. My commitment remains to investing in education and healthcare, developing our human capital, creating opportunities, and lifting our people out of poverty. Every Nigerian, regardless of religion, ethnicity, region, or political affiliation, deserves to feel that this country belongs to them. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Borgu: We Must Never Normalise the Killing of Nigerians The reports emerging from Borgu, Niger State, are becoming increasingly difficult to comprehend and deeply painful to contemplate. On 27 August, I expressed my anguish over the reported abduction of about 600 Nigerians, many of them women, children and elderly people, alongside the killing of others. I described it then as “one case too many” and urged that it be treated with the urgency it deserved. Today, that anguish has become even deeper. We are now confronted with continuing reports of the gruesome killing of some of those abducted, while many others remain unaccounted for. In another disturbing incident, a bandit group reportedly beheaded a Nigerian and sent his severed head to a community leader over a ₦50 million levy. If the reported killing was intended to increase pressure on the community and extract more money for those still being held, then we must recognise the terrible reality before us: human life is being deliberately turned into a bargaining instrument. One person is killed to terrorise an entire community, while others are kept alive as hostages for more ransom. This is not merely criminality; it is the systematic devaluation of human life. These are not statistics. They are Nigerians. They are mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters and elderly people. Their only offence was to live in communities where the protection of the state has become increasingly inadequate. We must therefore ask ourselves a fundamental question: At what point do we, as a nation, decide that this is no longer acceptable? We cannot continue to normalise the kidnapping of hundreds of citizens, the killing of innocent people, the imposition of levies on communities, the displacement of entire populations and the payment of ransom as though these are unavoidable features of Nigerian life. The consequences of insecurity go beyond those abducted or killed. Families are displaced, farms abandoned, businesses destroyed, children deprived of education, and citizens forced to seek safety elsewhere. Insecurity ultimately destroys both lives and public confidence in government. Nigeria cannot continue reacting only after lives are lost. We need intelligence-led operations, stronger community security, rapid response, better coordination and equipment for our security forces, effective border protection, and sustained action against criminal networks. The primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. While politicians prepare for elections, Nigerians are asking for something more fundamental: the right to live. We must never accept a Nigeria where kidnapping, ransom, criminal levies and the killing of innocent citizens become normal. Every Nigerian life matters. Every victim deserves justice. Every community deserves protection. Our prayers must be matched with action. No criminal group should determine who lives or dies anywhere in Nigeria. Nigeria must restore security, justice, and the dignity of human life. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins I warmly congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election and the good people of Osun State on this important democratic victory. They - Osun people - have spoken with courage and clarity, reaffirming that the power to choose their leaders belongs to the people. Through his commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his work and achievements in office, Governor @AAdeleke_01 has earned their renewed confidence and been entrusted once again with their mandate. I particularly commend the courageous youths of Osun who rose to the occasion and peacefully defended their democratic mandate. Their vigilance and determination demonstrate that when citizens stand firmly to protect their votes, the forces of good can overcome the forces of darkness. The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count. Every genuine vote must be respected, and every lawful mandate must be protected. This is also a clarion call as we approach 2027. Nigerians must remain informed, participate actively, vote, and protect their votes. The Nigerian people are the ones experiencing hunger, deprivation, insecurity, and hardship; therefore, they are also the ones with the power, through their votes, to bring about the change that will end these conditions. I urge all political actors to place the interests of the people above partisan considerations and to embrace peace, unity, and the rule of law. Elections should never be battles of violence, but contests of ideas, competence, character, and service. May the Osun experience strengthen our confidence in the democratic process and inspire Nigerians everywhere to remain vigilant and committed to building a just, secure, prosperous, and truly people-centred nation. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

SENATOR FRANCIS FADAHUNSI’S INCENDIARY RHETORIC AHEAD OF THE OSUN ELECTION I wish to express my deep regret, and profound concern regarding the recent inflammatory comments and threat-laden rhetoric attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi in the lead-up to the Osun State election on Saturday. As a high-ranking lawmaker representing the people in the National Assembly, Senator Fadahunsi carries a solemn constitutional and moral responsibility to promote peace, uphold democratic norms, and foster unity. It is therefore alarming and unacceptable that a distinguished senator would deploy intimidation, incendiary remarks, or political threats capable of heightening tensions, instilling fear in voters, and potentially inciting electoral violence in Osun State. Elections are meant to be a celebration of democratic franchise - a peaceful exercise through which citizens freely choose their leaders without intimidation, harassment, or coercion. Resorting to threats of force or disruption undermines the integrity of our electoral process, disrespects the electorate, and threatens the fragile peace of the state. I therefore respectfully demand that Senator Fadahunsi retract these harmful statements and tender an apology to the peaceful people of Osun State. All political leaders, stakeholders, and party loyalists across party lines must exercise the utmost restraint, moderate their language, and recommit themselves to peace and democratic decorum. The relevant security agencies must closely monitor inflammatory statements and ensure equal protection for all citizens, election officials, and voters before, during, and after the polls. The democratic mandate belongs to the people, and no individual, regardless of status or political office, should attempt to subvert the will of the people through fear or coercion. I urge the good people of Osun State to remain calm, peaceful, and resolute as they exercise their constitutional civic duty at the polls. Getting elections right is a necessary step towards a New Nigeria that is POssible. -PO

Hunger and the Insensitivity of Mr. President I watched with deep concern the statement made by President Bola Tinubu to the Catholic Bishops who visited his office, that there has always been hunger in Nigeria, even before he was born. While it is true that hunger has been a part of human life and has existed in our country for decades, such a statement appears insensitive to the plight of the millions of Nigerians who face worsening economic hardship today. More importantly, we must focus on the facts and the measurable outcomes of governance. Before the present administration assumed office in 2023, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity, primarily caused by insecurity, armed conflict, widespread banditry, and devastating floods. Today, less than three years later, that number has risen to about 35 million Nigerians. Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration. The same trend is evident in poverty. Before this government took office in 2023, Nigeria’s extreme poverty was estimated at 87 million people. Current projections suggest that this number is approaching 140 million people, making Nigeria home to the largest population of people living in extreme poverty anywhere in the world. No one disputes that this administration inherited serious challenges. However, leadership is measured not by the challenges inherited but by the results achieved. The government must honestly acknowledge that its response has fallen far short of what the situation demanded, with millions more Nigerians pushed deeper into poverty and hunger. The combination of persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure, and inadequate investment in productive sectors has compounded the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. A responsible government must prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and small businesses while pursuing policies that create jobs, expand production, and lift people out of poverty. That remains my commitment to the Nigerian people. A New Nigeria is Possible. PO

Fellow Nigerians, good morning. I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you. Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances. We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal. More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism. We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power. Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise. Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them. However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building. Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated. And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions. There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess? Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline? Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work. I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO