Garfield

I am profoundly saddened and deeply disturbed by reports of violence directed at members and coordinators of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement in Delta State. I unequivocally condemn the attacks against our coordinators, supporters, and fellow citizens who were merely exercising their democratic rights. Political violence has no place in a democracy and can never be justified. No political aspiration is worth the life of a Nigerian, and no dispute should be resolved through intimidation, physical attacks, or the destruction of property. It is particularly troubling that, at a time when Nigeria urgently needs responsible leadership, some individuals continue to believe that political influence can be secured through thuggery, fear, and violence. Political authority should be attained through persuasion and the trust of the people, not by intimidating opponents. I urge the Government and the security agencies to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into these attacks, identify those responsible, and ensure that they face justice, irrespective of their political affiliations. The safety and security of our members must be assured. We will not be intimidated or silenced, nor will we relinquish our democratic space to violence. Our response will remain peaceful, lawful, and determined. Nigeria belongs to every one of us. No political party or individual has exclusive ownership of the democratic space. Every Nigerian is entitled to organise, gather, express their views, and freely elect their leaders. Our nation needs constructive ideas rather than intimidation, responsible leadership rather than thuggery, and democratic contest rather than political violence. I stand in solidarity with everyone affected in Delta State. A New Nigeria must be founded on justice, liberty, peace, and respect for the dignity of every citizen. May God bless Delta State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. -PO

GOOD DAY, MR PRESIDENT: NIGERIANS DESERVE ACCOUNTABILITY Good day, Mr President. I congratulate you on spending a night in one of Nigeria’s states outside Lagos and Abuja. I hope you enjoyed the warmth, hospitality, and delicious cuisine of Akwa Ibom, which I am sure is even better than those of the destinations where you have spent over 260 days outside Nigeria since coming into office. I sincerely hope this visit will inspire you to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation, spend time with the people and, more importantly, explain what your administration has done with the ₦15.8 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100 billion you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target. Nigerians deserve to know how many that were pulled out of poverty within this period, how many out-of-school children were returned to school, and how many functional primary healthcare centres you have built. They also deserve to know how much electricity supply has improved, especially given your promise that if you do not fix power, Nigerians should not vote for you. They deserve an explanation of how you have secured the country, which still ranks among the most terrorised countries in the world. Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government. The New Nigeria we want to build will be based on accountability, transparency, and the physical, measurable impact of our public resources on the lives of citizens. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO