Peter Obi Archives - Afinju FM

ADC Faction Denies Peter Obi’s Registration in Enugu, Cites Breach of Party Rules

Boluwatife Ajayi — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:43:50 +0000

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has disowned reports of the defection and registration of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the party’s Enugu zonal office.

In a statement, the faction, which identified itself as the authentic national leadership of the ADC, said the purported registration did not follow due process and therefore could not be recognised by the party.

The faction stressed that only the national leadership has the authority to validate high-profile defections and registrations, adding that any action taken outside approved channels remains null and void.

Recall Obi announced his defection to the ADC at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State.

At the event, the former Anambra State governor called on Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

In a New Year message issued in Abuja, Gombe stressed that it became important for them to clarify misleading information circulating in the public domain over the party’s membership registration process.

He said the ADC is founded on order, discipline and strict adherence to its constitution, adding that its membership registration process is clearly defined.

“It has come to our attention that a certain Mr Peter Obi was reportedly registered at a party zonal office in Enugu. The NWC wishes to categorically state that this action does not align with the constitutional and stipulated procedures for membership registration into the African Democratic Congress.

“The process of registering with the ADC is clearly outlined as follows: ward registration. Prospective members must register at their respective ward levels within their state of origin or residence. This is the primary and constitutionally recognised point of entry.

“On documentation and issuance of membership card, upon successful registration at the ward level, a validated party membership card is issued.”

The party said its constitution does not allow registration at zonal or national offices.

He added, “The party’s constitution does not provide for the registration of individuals at zonal or national offices outside of their designated wards. Any registration carried out contrary to this provision is considered irregular and invalid.

“Therefore, the office of the national chairman distances the original, constitutionally-governed ADC from the reported registration of Mr Peter Obi at the Enugu Zonal office. The party is investigating this breach of due process.”

The leadership, therefore, urged party supporters and the general public to disregard claims suggesting alternative channels for party registration, noting that ward-level registration remains the only recognised method.

Gombe’s clarification came a day after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s defection to the ADC as a “liberation” for the party.

The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday that the party regretted fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

According to him, Obi’s exit only formalised a political separation that had existed for months amid a leadership crisis in the party.

Source: Punch

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Presidency Denies Alleged Alterations in New Tax Laws as Atiku, Obi Demand Suspension

Tolulope Awoyale — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:43:32 +0000

The Presidency has strongly rejected claims that provisions in the newly enacted tax reform laws were secretly altered, insisting that all changes were made within the proper legal and legislative processes.

This response follows allegations from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and several civil society organizations, who have called for the suspension of the tax laws’ implementation. These groups have raised concerns about possible discrepancies between the version of the laws passed by the National Assembly and those that were eventually gazetted and released to the public.

The controversial tax reform laws, which faced significant opposition from lawmakers in northern Nigeria during their passage, are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. The reforms, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, are described by the government as a major overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades.

The laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, which will all operate under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service, NIRS.

The Federal Government argues that these reforms are intended to simplify tax compliance, broaden the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes, and modernize the revenue collection system across federal, state, and local governments.

PRESIDENCY REAFFIRMS TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO TACKLING INSECURITY

However, the reforms have come under scrutiny after a claim by Abdussamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives (PDP, Sokoto). Dasuki alleged that the gazetted versions of the tax laws did not match those passed by the National Assembly. He claimed that several key provisions discussed and approved during legislative debates were missing or altered in the final documents released to the public.

During a session on Wednesday, Dasuki warned that these discrepancies could potentially undermine the legal standing of the new laws, as they might lack proper legislative approval. He called on the House Speaker to ensure that all relevant documents, including the harmonized versions, votes, and proceedings be examined by the Committee of the Whole.

In response, the House of Representatives moved quickly to address the allegations. On Thursday, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the formation of a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the discrepancies. The committee is tasked with thoroughly reviewing the claims and submitting a report for further legislative action.

The alleged alterations include the removal of key provisions related to oversight and accountability that were originally approved by lawmakers.

Additionally, sources within the National Assembly claim that the gazetted versions of the laws introduced new coercive measures, such as arrest powers, garnishee orders without court approval, and mandatory USD computation, none of which were part of the versions ratified by Parliament.

As the investigation continues, the future of the tax reforms remains uncertain, with critics demanding that the discrepancies be addressed before the laws are implemented.

Source: Punch

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Obi Criticizes FG’s Handling of Nnamdi Kanu’s Case, Calls for Dialogue and Political Solution

Afinju FM — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 11:02:16 +0000

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was convicted, a ruling Obi warns could heighten national tensions.

In a post on X, Obi expressed concerns that Kanu’s conviction comes at a time when Nigeria is already grappling with “severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance.”

Obi lamented that the government had mishandled the situation from the beginning, failing to seek peaceful alternatives.

“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested,” Obi stated. “His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”

He stressed that “dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance” are essential for achieving lasting peace, while “coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted.”

Obi called on Nigeria’s national leaders to prioritize reconciliation and urged the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected statesmen to step in and pursue a political solution.

“If we truly desire a new Nigeria, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” Obi added.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of terrorism. Justice James Omotosho convicted Kanu on several counts, including inciting violence, belonging to a proscribed organization, and threatening attacks on Nigerian and foreign targets.

The court ruled that Kanu’s broadcasts incited followers to attack security forces, burn infrastructure, and target diplomatic missions. Justice Omotosho emphasized that Nigeria is an indivisible state, and that self-determination cannot be pursued through violence. The court also ordered the forfeiture of Kanu’s transmitter to the government and directed that he be held in a secure facility with no digital access.

The case has remained one of the most contentious legal matters in Nigeria, sparking debates on issues of self-determination, governance, and national unity.

Source: Channels

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2027: Jonathan Reportedly Weighs ADC Option Amid Comeback Speculation

Afinju FM — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 07:26:37 +0000

This development comes as the ADC-led coalition of opposition forces ramps up consultations with key political stakeholders across the country.

Multiple members of the ADC’s National Working Committee, NWC, speaking anonymously to newsmen, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with Jonathan, although no formal declaration has been made.

Rumours of a political comeback have intensified in recent weeks, with speculation suggesting that the former president may challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu in 2027. While Jonathan has not officially declared his intentions, several leaders within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have urged him to return and contest on the party’s ticket. At the same time, others have proposed alternative platforms, and some have advised him against re-entering the race.

A major point of contention remains Jonathan’s eligibility under the 2018 constitutional amendment, which bars anyone who has been sworn in twice as president or governor from seeking the office again. Legal experts remain divided on whether this applies to Jonathan.

Despite the uncertainty, the former president has increased his public visibility, attending major national events and meeting with high-profile political figures.

Notably, Jonathan held a private meeting with 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Abuja on September 12. He also met with ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and other coalition leaders on September 25. A source close to the ADC confirmed that the meetings focused on the 2027 elections and Jonathan’s possible involvement.

“The truth is, Jonathan is a very important and patriotic Nigerian, and he will be a great asset to our party,” an ADC official told newsmen. “Our leadership has met with him several times, and we are confident he is seriously considering the ADC as a platform.”

The source added that discussions have included a potential consensus candidacy, with hopes that other major opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would support Jonathan if he decides to run under the ADC.

“What we are working towards is unity,” the source continued. “If the party offers him the ticket and there’s a consensus among key figures, Jonathan may accept. The country is in a dire situation, and we need someone with his experience.”

Source: Punch

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Lagos Govt Slams Obi, Says Demolished Buildings Were Illegal

Afinju FM — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:47:23 +0000

The exercise was carried out by officials of the Ministry of physical planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.

Recall, Obi, who visited the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market with a handful of federal lawmakers, including Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia south senator), Victor Umeh (Anambra central senator), said the plazas were pulled down despite valid approvals

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections commended the traders for showing restraint, adding that lawmakers had pledged to probe the incident “thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development” to prevent future occurrences.

Reacting to Obi’s comment in a statement, Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy, said the traders were “misleading the public”.

Omotoso said the affected owners “had no permits” from the Lagos government and “ignored opportunities” to regularise their documents during an “amnesty declared last year”.

The commissioner said officials of the state were at some point “denied entry” into the complex and were “assaulted” until the police intervened, adding that the traders refused to attend the government’s invitation.

The commissioner said the argument that the trade fair management board authorised the buildings was “wrong”.

He noted that the board only has powers to manage leases and tenancies, not to grant building approvals.

He cited the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992), which places planning approval within the jurisdiction of state governments, and a 2003 supreme court ruling that reaffirmed the position.

Omotoso said physical planning approval for any construction in Lagos must come from the state government, adding that federal boards cannot override this requirement except in exclusive areas such as military formations.

He noted that the demolitions were carried out within the ambit of the law, stressing that society must choose between being governed by law or by emotions driven by political interests.

Source: Thecable

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“Peter Obi Won’t Be Given LP’s Ticket In 2027” — Abayomi Arabambi

Afinju FM — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:30:04 +0000

Arabambi stated this on Monday during an interview on National Television.

He argued that the party can exist without the LP’s 2023 presidential ticket.
“We are going to do our 2027 without Peter Obi, he will not have our ticket,” he said.

Arabambi also took a swipe at the LP’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman and activist, Aisha Yesufu, accusing them of conniving with Obi.

He stated that the party would take actions that would get rid of them from its fold.
The LP’s scribe also challenged Obi to announce his exit from the party.

“The momentum in 2023 was not because of Peter Obi, but because of EndSARS. Obi was just a man who came to whip as a result of Nigeria’s tiredness of the scandalous administration of Buhari during the EndSARS.

“He only found Labour Party as that vehicle that can provide that change, and he was just opportuned to be the head,” he stated.

Source: Channels

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LP faction faults Obi for endorsing ADC candidates

Afinju FM — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:23:29 +0000

In a statement signed by Abure, the faction accused Obi of allegedly undermining the party.

Peter Obi, who has been involved with ADC but has not officially joined, in a statement, urged his followers to vote for ADC candidates in their various states.

He stated this is because of the lack of LP’s candidates in the by-elections.

However, Abure urged party members to dismiss Obi’s directive.

“The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to a statement by the party’s former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, directing party members to cast their votes for another party in the August 16, 2025, by-election.”

The party also added that Obi’s directive is misleading, mischievous and delusional.
“The party is, however, calling on all our faithful party members to ignore this malicious directive and go ahead with casting their votes for the Labour Party and their candidates,” the statement read.

Abure said Obi did not know that the party has done everything permissible by law to ensure that its candidate participate in the election.

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“Peter Obi would win northern states if he returns to PDP” – Chieftain

Afinju FM — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:51:27 +0000

He stated this while speaking on National Television, “I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate, because our people are very fair‑minded.”

Recall that Peter Obi quit the PDP in May 2022 to lead the Labour Party during the 2023 elections.

Reflecting on the PDP’s roots, the PDP Chieftain reminded Nigerians of the party’s grassroots strength and its pivotal role in restoring democratic governance.

He said, “I must confess that many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organisation. In 1998, we were formed and then, moving to the elections in 1999, we were in every polling unit, because we are the ones who really won the first election.

On recent party conflicts, he downplayed their scale, saying, “So when this recent problem happened, it was really among a few elites here in Abuja. It didn’t even go beyond.”

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Peter Obi tackles Tinubu’s govt over Nigeria’s rising debt burden

Afinju FM — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:34:53 +0000

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over Nigeria’s rising debt burden.

In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said Mr Tinubu’s government has been on a borrowing spree over the last two years.

‘Unsustainable debt’

On 22 July, the Nigerian Senate approved the 2025-2026 external borrowing plan of 21.5 billion dollars presented by Mr Tinubu for consideration.

Also approved by the Senate was a loan request of 15 billion Japanese Yen and a 65 million Euros grant.

The federal lawmakers also approved the issuance of Federal Government Bond of N757 billion for payment of accrued rights pension arrears as at December 2023 for the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

They equally approved Mr Tinubu’s request of capital raising of up to two billion dollars through a foreign currency-denominated instrument in the domestic market.

Reacting, Obi lamented that under Tinubu, Nigeria has been accumulating “very exponential levels of unsustainable debt” without a commensurate impact on critical areas of development, such as education, security, and healthcare.

“With an already existing public debt of about N149.39 trillion as at the first quarter of 2025, adding the approved loans of about N37.2 trillion brings our current total debt to about N187 trillion, with concerns that our debt might likely be over N200 trillion by the end of 2025,” he said.

The former governor warned that if the frequent borrowings were not stopped, Nigeria risked accumulating over 50 per cent of the current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country.

“As our GDP before rebasing was about N269.2 trillion (about $180 billion), the government has borrowed the equivalent of nearly 70% of our previous GDP.

“Even after the rebasing, which pushed our GDP to about N372.8 trillion (about $243.7 billion), the government would have borrowed about 50.16 % of the new GDP (with the approved loans), the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in our history as a nation,” he warned.

Enough resources, inadequate impacts

Mr Obi stressed that despite “humongous borrowing” by Mr Tinubu’s government in two years, Nigeria has continued to battle worsening poverty, increasing unemployment, and malnutrition crises.

“This is a country blessed with enormous resources, yet nobody should go to bed hungry.

“Still, a persistent deficiency in leadership has thrown the majority of our citizens into increasing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.

‘Stop mortgaging the future of our children’

Mr Obi argued that borrowing “is not inherently bad” provided it is sustainable and tied to productive investments with measurable outcomes.

“Unfortunately, this current pattern of borrowing without accountability, without transparency, and without transformational impact is simply mortgaging the future of our children.

“The government should consider the inter-generational consequences of their unsustainable borrowings and show at least a minimum consideration and interest in the future of young and unborn Nigerians,” he said.

The former governor said there was a need to return to a disciplined and prudent economic management culture by cutting the cost of governance, blocking leakages and investing in human capital.

“Nigeria cannot continue to borrow recklessly while poverty deepens and public trust erodes. It is time to stop this fiscal indiscipline,” he stated.

“We must build a New Nigeria, where leadership is responsible, development is people-centred, and every kobo (money) borrowed or spent delivers a measurable impact to achieve sustainable and inclusive development and growth.”

Source: Premium Times

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“Threat against Peter Obi, threat against all of us” – Atiku

Afinju FM — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:46:19 +0000

Atiku stated this in a post on social media.

According to the post, “Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us”.

Atiku’s comments come days after the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, warned Obi not to visit the state without security clearance.

Okpebholo claimed that the last time Obi visited the state and made a donation of N15 million to a nursing school in the state, there was unrest in Benin City, the state capital, leading to the death of some people.

The governor’s comments were met with outrage and criticisms.

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Peter Obi Archives - Afinju FM

ADC Faction Denies Peter Obi’s Registration in Enugu, Cites Breach of Party Rules

Presidency Denies Alleged Alterations in New Tax Laws as Atiku, Obi Demand Suspension

PRESIDENCY REAFFIRMS TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO TACKLING INSECURITY

Obi Criticizes FG’s Handling of Nnamdi Kanu’s Case, Calls for Dialogue and Political Solution

2027: Jonathan Reportedly Weighs ADC Option Amid Comeback Speculation

Lagos Govt Slams Obi, Says Demolished Buildings Were Illegal

“Peter Obi Won’t Be Given LP’s Ticket In 2027” — Abayomi Arabambi

LP faction faults Obi for endorsing ADC candidates

“Peter Obi would win northern states if he returns to PDP” – Chieftain

Peter Obi tackles Tinubu’s govt over Nigeria’s rising debt burden

‘Unsustainable debt’

Enough resources, inadequate impacts

‘Stop mortgaging the future of our children’

“Threat against Peter Obi, threat against all of us” – Atiku

“Peter Obi would win northern states if he returns to PDP” – Chieftain