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By Madu Obi Former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration's urban renewal efforts, noting that he had aggressively transformed the state. Speaking during a tour of some high-impact projects executed by Governor Soludo, including the Country Club, the Solution Funcity, and the Light House, Okeke described the developments as a testament to strategic governance. According to him, the tour highlighted a shift towards world-class social infrastructure, saying that the emerging facilities at Solution Funcity and the Country Club are more than just leisure spots, but critical drivers for social cohesion, economic growth, and youth engagement as they provide constructive outlets and modern amenities for the younger generation. He gave the Governor Soludo administration high marks for its commitment to the prosperous homeland vision, citing the massive investments in road networks, public utilities, and recreational hubs as the foundation for a modern Anambra.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26 - year old Anikpe Valentine Chibuike, for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, Ogechukwu Mmadubugwu, 35, who is a single mother. The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the incident happened in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the suspect, after carrying out the act, dropped a note at the scene of the murder, claiming that some people killed the lady because her boyfriend was owing them money. According to the Police, the note suggested that the people who carried out the act also kidnapped him and that they would only release him if he paid. Police, however, said the note was a decoy meant to derail investigation and remove suspicion from him as the perpetuator of the crime. Ikenga said: "The arrest was carried out by operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka. The Command has debunked claims circulating that the crime was committed by persons the suspect owed money, as such reports are false and misleading." "During interrogation, the suspect confessed to stabbing the victim in the neck with a knife, an act that led to her death at about 12.00 midnight on 9th December 2025. The suspect also alleged that the act was committed over suspicion of infidelity. He claimed that he had gone bankrupt, yet was working hard to establish a business, including borrowing from people, while his lover cheated on him. He confessed to dropping a fake letter that claimed that he had been kidnapped by people he owed money, in a bid to mislead investigators and aid his escape from the crime scene. The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations. The Command also urges members of the public to seek lawful and peaceful means of resolving disputes and to report early signs of domestic violence to security agencies to prevent avoidable tragedies." Ikenga said that as part of ongoing investigative procedures, detectives have visited the mortuary where the deceased’s body was deposited.

By Madu Obi Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed serious concern over the increasing traffic congestion caused by what he described as poorly positioned security checkpoints across major roads in the country, noting that they are posing a threat to public safety rather than offering protection. In a statement shared following his travels during the festive season, Obi described the traffic situation on several highways as “distressing,” noting that in many instances, travellers heading to distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys after spending hours trapped in gridlock. According to him, the major cause of the congestion is the indiscriminate placement of security checkpoints, particularly at narrow road sections and near construction zones, adding that such positioning is counterproductive and irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill and imposes unnecessary hardship on road users. “Security checkpoints are meant to protect lives, not endanger them. When their location and operation create prolonged delays, exhaustion, and increased accident risks, then we must re-evaluate how they are being implemented", Obi said. While acknowledging and appreciating the sacrifices and dedication of security agencies, he called for greater discretion and flexibility, especially during peak travel periods. He explained that many travellers are already burdened by long distances and poor road conditions, arguing that additional delays leave drivers fatigued and vulnerable to accidents. He further warned that extended gridlock forces people to remain on the road well into the night, thereby exposing them to heightened security risks at a time when insecurity remains a national concern. “Security must never become a source of insecurity,” he emphasized, and advocated a more strategic and humane approach to security operations on highways. He suggested that checkpoints be relocated away from narrow roads and construction areas, even as he urged security agencies to improve coordination to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks. Such measures, he stated , would improve traffic flow without compromising security, protect lives, and make Nigerian roads safer and more efficient for all users.

By Madu Obi As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen law enforcement capacity and deepen security across Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has donated 30 operational vehicles to the state command of the Nigeria Police. Recall that last year, the state government also donated 170 operational vehicles to security agencies in the state to boost crime fighting and provide security in all parts of the state. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Soludo reflected on the imperative of security, recalling that in January last year, his administration launched the Agunechemba law alongside Operation Udo Ga Achị, a joint task force designed to combat the wave of criminality that once ravaged many parts of Anambra. He observed that twelve months after donation, there has been a remarkable difference as there has been marked improvement in peace and order in the state and commended the security agencies for their unwavering vigilance, “Thanks to the security agencies for keeping awake to make sure we sleep. These efforts encouraged a mass return of Anambra indigenes to their communities this Christmas because they were confident of their safety in their homeland", the governor said. He emphasized that security remains a top priority of his administration, adding that because it is too important, It is a continuous work in progress. Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Police Command, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, expressed gratitude to the governor for the augmentation in resources. He noted that the vehicles are critical tools for effective policing and rapid response to threats, assuring that the donation is expected to improve patrol, curb criminal activities, and reinforce the state’s positive security trajectory.

By Madu Obi Operatives of the Anambra State Police command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu has rescued 33 underaged girls from suspected trafficking syndicate in the state. In what the Police described as a breakthrough in an ongoing investigation involving a case of kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking, a female suspect,, one Ifeoma Success Anthony aged 37 years, was arrested. According to the Police, the feat followed a distress report received through the command's control room from the victim's relatives on how their three children namely, : Divine Mbam (14) Nwagu Favour (15 ) and Oke Blessing (18), who were abducted since 26th September 2025, in Ebonyi State, and taken to an unknown location, were sighted at Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri, Anambra East local government area of Anambra State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that preliminary investigations revealed that the building where the girls were kept, is allegedly used for child trafficking and prostitution. The building, Ikenga stated, was owned by one Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo (45), who is currently at large. He said that efforts are currently ongoing to arrest the principal suspect, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the crime and identify other accomplices. Ikenga added that the command remains committed to protecting lives, especially vulnerable children, and urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to aid ongoing investigations.

By Madu Obi The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the recent report that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal Gross Domestic Product, GDP, using the milestone to raise alarm over Nigeria’s worsening economic fortunes. According to estimates by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2025, India’s nominal GDP is projected at about $4.187 trillion, narrowly surpassing Japan’s $4.186 trillion. Obi said India is now setting its sights on overtaking Germany, whose economy stands at approximately $4.74 trillion, to become the world’s third-largest economy. Describing India’s progress as remarkable, Obi said the development underscores Nigeria’s failure to translate its resources into sustainable economic growth, especially when viewed against the two countries’ comparable trajectories in the past. Citing World Bank data, Obi noted: "At the end of 2007, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s nominal GDP per capita stood at about $1,816, significantly higher than India’s $1,022. By 2015, at the end of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan era, Nigeria still maintained an advantage, with GDP per capita of around $2,586, compared to India’s $1,584. However, IMF World Economic Outlook projections show a dramatic reversal by 2025. India’s nominal GDP per capita is expected to rise to about $2,878, while Nigeria’s is projected to fall sharply to around $807." Obi described the figures as troubling, particularly in the light of what, he said, were significant subsidy savings, substantial revenue growth, and unprecedented levels of borrowing. He disclosed that Nigeria’s combined revenue between 2023 and 2025 is estimated at about ₦200 trillion (approximately $135 billion), yet critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and poverty reduction have seen no meaningful improvement. According to him, poverty, insecurity, and the collapse of public services have worsened, while businesses—especially small and medium enterprises—are shutting down daily due to lack of support and high operating costs. He also lamented erratic and expensive electricity, alongside the rising cost of rent, transportation, and food, which he said are increasingly beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. Obi renewed his call for national unity and a new leadership consensus built on competence, compassion, and character. He stressed the need for a government that prioritizes citizens’ welfare, invests in healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology, and cuts waste while reducing the cost of governance. He further emphasized transparency and accountability, saying Nigerians must be able to track national progress and hold public officials responsible. Such an approach, he argued, would empower citizens economically, create jobs, support businesses, strengthen security, ensure reliable energy and food security, and restore trust in public institutions. "Only through collective action, transparent governance, and visionary leadership can Nigeria close the widening gap with countries like India and reclaim its economic potential", Obi stated. He also warned that other nations are already moving ahead, stressing that the time for Nigeria to act is now.

By Madu Obi The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has cautioned the Federal Government against what he described as an approach to taxation that deepens poverty rather than promote prosperity. In a statement, Obi insisted that sustainable development cannot be achieved by overburdening already struggling citizens. According to him, genuine economic and social transformation is rooted in national consensus, transparent governance, and honest leadership. Drawing from his interactions with leaders across the world, the former governor of Anambra State said nations that have successfully transformed their economies did so by building trust with their citizens and uniting them around a shared vision of progress. He insisted that, honesty remains the defining quality of transformative leadership, noting that governments owe citizens clarity, transparency, and sincerity in policy formulation and implementation. He argued that leaders who exploit the people to enrich themselves and a few cronies ultimately undermine national unity and sustainable development. Obi said Nigeria’s current taxation approach must be assessed against these principles, warning that taxation can only function as a legitimate social contract when it is fair, transparent, and demonstrably concerned with the welfare of the people. He maintained that tax policies should be clearly explained to citizens, including their impact on incomes and their expected contribution to national development. “Without transparency, taxation becomes a tool of confusion and burden rather than a mechanism for growth,” he said, adding that Nigerians are increasingly being asked to pay taxes without clarity, justification, or visible public benefit. Obi also called for a fundamental rethink of Nigeria’s fiscal strategy, emphasizing that the goal of taxation should not merely be to raise government revenue but to make citizens wealthier so that the nation itself grows stronger. He argued that a productive economy naturally expands the tax base, whereas excessive taxation in a weak economy only compounds hardship. He identified the empowerment of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the starting point for sustainable growth, noting that thriving small businesses create jobs, raise incomes, and broaden the tax base organically. “You cannot tax your way out of poverty; you must produce your way out of it,” he said. He also expressed concern over what he described as an ongoing tax fraud controversy, alleging that, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a tax law had been forged. He recalled that the National Assembly had admitted that the version of the tax law gazetted was not the same as what lawmakers passed, yet citizens were being compelled to pay higher taxes under what he called a manipulated framework. Describing the situation as alarming, Obi said it was wrong to celebrate rising government revenue while the living conditions of citizens continued to deteriorate and warned that any tax system that makes people poorer violates the core principles of good governance and sound fiscal management. Calling for a fair, lawful, and people-centred tax system that supports production, rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and restores trust between the government and the people, Obi stressed that only such an approach can make taxation a true instrument for unity, growth, and shared prosperity.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has celebrated babies born on New Year day in her usual tradition. During her visit to the hospitals, Mrs Soludo expressed happiness that the free antenatal service initiated by the state government has been yielding fruits. In a statement, the governor's wife said: "Earlier today, we continued our yearly tradition of visiting and celebrating babies born on New Year Day in Anambra State. We call them New Year Babies. We consider this spiritual journey an important task for each year. For us, it’s a time to pay homage to God’s great gifts and also take part in the fruits of his divine blessings, through these children, in whose hands we wish to bequeath the future of our state into. I was equally pleased to hear exciting testimonies from mothers who did antenatal care and had their delivery ((including C-Section births) all at zero costs, courtesy of our three-year-old free antenatal and delivery services in public hospitals in Anambra State. We thank God for the gift of our children. May they grow up to be the pride of our great state."

By Madu Obi The Governor of Anambra Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed optimism that the new year would present the state with fresh opportunities to build on his administration's achievements. In his new year message, the governor said government would learn from existing challenges, and work collectively towards the goals and vision of the state defined by prosperity, adequate security, and sustainable development. Extending his best wishes to all citizens and residents of Anambra State, he urged everyone to "celebrate this new beginning by reflecting with gratitude on the resilience, industry, and patriotic spirit of Ndị Anambra, which continue to distinguish our people across Nigeria and the global community." He reassured the people of his untiring commitment to impacting lives positively and transforming the state further in the new year, Governor Soludo stated that the focus of his administration remains steadfast on the critical Solution pillars of infrastructure development, quality education, accessible healthcare, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and security of lives and property. Accordingly, he said the administration will intensify efforts to deliver more projects and programmes that directly improve the living conditions of the people, create opportunities for the youths, and position Anambra State as a leading destination for investment and innovation in Nigeria. "As we embark on this new journey, sustainable development requires partnership between the government and the governed. I call on all Ndị Anambra and Nigerians at large to continue supporting and cooperating with governments at both state and federal levels", Governor Soludo said.

By Madu Obi The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon.Somtochukwu Udeze has urged Nigerians to see 2026 as a year of new opportunities that would redefine their collective bond as a nation. In his new year message, Udeze urged the people to view the challenges of the past years as great lessons to attain greatness by approaching the new year with positive mindset and hope. He observed that Nigeria has witnessed heightened activities in social, economic and political lives of the people, which were evident in severe economic hardship and insecurity which confronted the masses in many ways. He encouraged Nigerians to be steadfast, prayerful and law-abiding and believe that the year, 2026 will be a turning point and eventful for them in all ramifications. Udeze gave an assurance that the state legislature will embrace its legislative activities in the new year with renewed vigour to ensure that meaningful development and overall good governance will continue to thrive in the state. He expressed satisfaction that the 8th State Assembly has continued to take a lead in legislative business among other law making bodies in the country in terms of enactment of quality laws and resolutions and extolled Governor Chukwuma Soludo's exploits in all sectors. According to him, Governor Soludo has been exemplary in many areas, such as provision of free education, healthcare delivery, security, massive road infrastructure, youth empowerment, among other landmark achievements. Udeze called on Anambra people to intensify their support to the present administration to enable the governor to continue his transformation agenda in the state.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has reiterated the command’s ban on the burning of tyres and use of any form of social explosives across the state, especially during the crossover night celebrations to usher in the new year. In a statement through the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the CP said the ban is aimed at ensuring the safety of lives and property, maintaining public order, preventing damage and defacing government roads, environmental pollution/hazards, and security breaches that may arise from such activities. According to him, the burning of tyres, fireworks, knockouts, firecrackers, or any other explosive devices poses serious risks to public safety and will not be tolerated under any guise. He advised parents and guardians to caution their wards against engaging in such acts, threatening that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The CP further assured that the command, in synergy with other security agencies, has intensified patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-led operations across the state to guarantee a peaceful and crime-free Yuletide celebration. He also encouraged residents to celebrate responsibly, as the command remains committed to protecting lives and property.

By Madu Obi As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new year, which we hope will mark the beginning of Nigeria’s long-awaited socio economic transformation. For every nation, and people, moments of profound national challenge demand clarity of purpose, courage, and decisive action, for Nigeria, that moment is now! Many have said that Nigeria is an independent country in name, yet today we must begin a new struggle: the struggle for true independence based on self-determination, human equality, and national reunification. We must reclaim our country from a small group of opportunists who have captured the corridors of power and return it to its rightful owners - the Nigerian people! What is most painful is that many of those who once benefited from democratic governance have now become accessories to a stolen mandate, shamelessly celebrating electoral injustice in public, and working hard to destroy democracy through coercion, manipulation and outright gangsterism particularly on opposition parties. Let me assure Nigerians that we will defend our fragile democracy and make it resilient. We will decisively defeat any attempt by the ruling party and its agents to manipulate or rig future elections. The will of the Nigerian people is sacrosanct, non-negotiable and those plotting to subvert it in 2027 should rethink their actions. Nigerians have endured enough and will resist any assault on their mandate through all lawful and legitimate means. Because weak national institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), contributed significantly to our present crisis, we most strongly demand urgent reforms of the entire electoral process. We demand credible and transparent elections that are free and fair and based on strict adherence to electoral laws, starting with prescribed educational qualification for eligibility for election and transmission of results as voted. At the heart of our coming national transformation is electoral integrity which will promote responsive governance. We can no longer toy with electoral integrity especially as we see the tragedies of truncated democracies across West Africa. Nigeria is too big and important to the black race and the global economy to remain a failure. We must protect democracy in Nigeria by ensuring credible elections in 2027. Rethinking Nigeria: The Need for Unity: It is public knowledge that Nigeria is in grave distress. Our democracy is under threat. Our nation is adrift. Our people are in persistent agony. Today, Nigeria is widely described as a failing and disgraced nation. This is not the destiny that Almighty God bequeathed to over 220 million Nigerians. It was not always so and should not remain so. Across all recognized indicators of good governance - accountability, political stability, rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and separation of powers - Nigeria records negative marks. With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, more than 80 million youths unemployed, worsening insecurity, fiscal recklessness, disunity and the absence of inclusive governance, like many patriotic Nigerians, I am deeply disturbed by the state of our nation. The question on everyone’s lips is whether there is still hope for Nigeria. Despite the gravity of our situation, I remain firmly optimistic! Given our immense human and natural resources, I am convinced that a new Nigeria is possible—a functional, productive and inclusive nation. Motivated by my desperation for a New Nigeria That Is Possible, I am in constant search for possible solutions to make Nigeria work for all Nigerians, to make Nigeria an inclusive and progressively sustainable nation. While we are faced with litany of socio-economic problems, the absence of unity caused by dishonest, corrupt and ineffective leadership is at the heart of our problems. In addition to my various leadership training in many renowned institutions including Lagos Business School; Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge universities; INSEAD; IMD and LSE, my desire to see a better and functional Nigeria has sustained my search for knowledge on leadership and nation building. All my readings and travels over many years have been primarily focused on understanding what promotes national unity and national transformation, and how to embed deep rooted unity and effective leadership in our dear nation, Nigeria. Let me mention few insights that are still very fresh in my mind. Having observed and read extensively on conflict, disunity, reconciliation, unity, and development, I travelled and met with one of the best authors, Professor Nicole Fox of California State University, who wrote on conflict, reconciliation, and the transformation of Rwanda. Her writings inspired in me a confidence that Nigeria can move from conflict and instability to consensus and rapid socio-economic transformation. To have a first-hand experience of how Rwanda was transformed, I travelled to Rwanda and had the opportunity of having a valuable time with President Paul Kigame to further learn from his experiences in the leadership of Rwanda. It has remained one of my most treasured learning experiences. In discussing and learning from President Kigame, I saw a leader deeply committed to the unity and socio-economic transformation of his country, evident in the growth of GDP per capita from about $200 in 1995 to over $1,000 in 2025—a phenomenal 500% increase. In comparison, Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 1995 was $1,225 and has lamentably declined to below $1,000 in 2025, a decline after 30 years of supposed nation-building in a country proudly called the “Giant of Africa.” Shocked by the gap in GDP per capita and other development indices between Nigeria and other emerging economies, I got curious to find out the reason for this divergence. This led me to read the book Growing Apart: Politics and Economic Change in Indonesia and Nigeria by Professor Peter Lewis of Johns Hopkins University. In this fascinating and deeply revealing book, Professor Lewis most convincingly showed how policy choices, state institutions, national unity, and leadership shape sustainable economic development or under development. While Nigeria and Indonesia had similar characteristics of high population, cultural heterogeneity, and agrarian economies, the current gap observable in almost all key socio-economic indicators can be attributed to the power of leadership and unity, and their utilisation for effective nation-building and socio-economic transformation. Disturbed by the insights from the book, I travelled to Johns Hopkins University and met Professor Peter Lewis. The meeting and learning were even more shocking than the revelations from the book. Following that, I travelled to Indonesia and had meetings with Ministers of Education, Planning, Health, Small Villages, Small Businesses, the Vice President, and one of their most popular leaders, President Joko Widodo, to learn more about how they achieved such significant success. While Indonesia has significantly transformed into a commendable success, with a GDP of above $1.4 trillion, the first in South-East Asia to cross the 1 trillion mark, and a per capita of about $5300, it is the largest economy in South-East Asia. On the contrary, with the GDP of $240 Billion and Per Capita of below $1000 our dear country Nigeria is experiencing socio-economic confusion, de-industrialisation, pervasive corruption, conflict, and increased poverty. In conclusion, Professor Lewis maintains that Indonesia achieved commendable progress largely due to how its leaders and government managed their resources, while Nigeria became more underdeveloped, fragmented, and poorer due to how we consumed and squandered our resources. It is the same state of sadness, shock and hope that you get when you read other books like From Third World to the First by Lee Kuan Yew; How Asia Works: Success and Failures in the World’s Most Dynamic Region by Joe Studwell and Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Fascinated by the insights from these readings and disturbed by the comments of one of the winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics, Prof. James Robinson, that nations like Nigeria know what to do to prosper but refuse to do so, I travelled to the University of Chicago to meet and further learn from him. A key outcome is that our problem in Nigeria is one of leadership and lack of unity. Our dear nation cannot grow and develop without unity and competent leadership as against the current political leadership adept at exploiting our differences. Their expertise lies in creating more divisions to sustain themselves in power, with little or no interest in unity and the inclusive development of Nigeria. It is the same desire to learn that informs my intensive engagements in Nigeria, with regular visits and robust relationships across our states, local governments, villages, and communities. What we urgently need is leadership and a government that can deeply appreciate our potential and resiliently unify our diversity for rapid socio-economic transformation and inclusive development. Nigeria’s problem is not a lack of potential. We are endowed with enormous human and natural resources. Our prevailing tragedy is the result of deliberate sabotage of our potential by a political class that cultivates disunity and feeds fat on our dysfunctional system. As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. As a nation, we are not broken; we are severely betrayed. The average Nigerian is not lazy, not corrupt, and not incompetent. But the system is rigged against him or her. The system is rigged to reward mediocrity, punish merit, and recycle failure. Nigeria is not collapsing under the weight of its people. Nigeria is suffocating under the weight of impunity and greed of her leadership. This government excels at rewarding illegalities and corrupt practices, and until we confront this truth, no amount of reform will save us. We want a genuine and patriotic political change, not a cosmetic makeover. To my fellow Nigerians at home and abroad, this is not the time for despair, detachment, diplomatic silence, or ethnic chauvinism. It is a time for us to unite as Nigerians to salvage our dear country. The choice is between despair that leads to the continuity of the decay of power or the courage to disrupt the prevailing decadence, state capture, and formalized criminality in the name of governance. I have visited every nook and cranny of this country. I have gone to IDP camps, which those in government fear to visit or even refuse to publicly acknowledge their existence. From North to South and West to East, Nigerians have never felt so insecure and so divided; this should not be our fate or our common heritage. For the sake of God and country, for the sake of the hungry, the poor, and out-of-school children, and for the sake of those yet unborn, we must unite and collectively dismantle the criminal enterprise that is destroying Nigeria. A New Nigeria is Indeed Possible! With unity and effective leadership, we will strategically support agriculture and manufacturing to become the highest contributors to our GDP. To achieve this, special attention must be paid to developing the agricultural potential of Northern Nigeria. With unity, we will move Nigeria from consumption to production. With unity and effective leadership, we will defeat insecurity, corruption, unemployment, inflation, illiteracy, and many other socio-economic problems confronting us. With unity and effective leadership, a new Nigeria—a productive and inclusive Nigeria is Possible! Let me say something more about national unity. As I travel across the world and listen to leaders who have transformed their nations, I observe that one of the critical ingredients for economic and socio-economic transformation is national consensus. Leaders who build transformative consensus have one common characteristic. They are honest and truthful. They love their people and tell them the truth all the time. This is the reason George Orwell described government as the art of telling the people the truth. Government should be transparent and honest because the people deserve the truth from their leaders. Transformative leaders tell their people the truth; they do not exploit the people to enrich themselves and few cronies. In the context of the foregoing, it is good to reflect on the current tax fraud saga. I have always said that the goal of a good fiscal policy is to make the people and the country rich. There is no value in boasting of increase in public revenue while the people starve. Tax is a form of social contract. When the people are richer because government supports them with good policies, the people pay more taxes to government. It is bad fiscal policy for the government to make the people poorer and still tax them more. Taxing poverty will not create wealth. It will lead to more poverty. Our new, planned tax regime fails the fundamental principle of good fiscal policy. It does not create wealth for the people; it makes the people poorer. Today, for the first time in our history, a tax law is reported to be forged. The National Assembly now admits that the tax law on the gazette is not what it passed as law. Government wants Nigerian citizens to pay more taxes based on forged tax laws, with no benefits. Forgery and manipulation are increasingly penetrating government policies and most regrettably defining the foundation of our fiscal policy. We must change this dishonest social order. A forged tax regime cannot create wealth and sustain national unity. Leaders who delight in hurting the people with exploitative taxes are not nation builders. Leaders who delight in telling lies and hiding the ball from the people cannot mobilize the people for transformative work. To build lasting unity and inclusive prosperity, we need honest, transparent, and responsive leadership. As the great revolutionary, Franz Fanon, once noted, “Every generation, must out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it.” This generation of leaders gathered here today must achieve our mission to courageously lead Nigeria away from its entrapment in poverty and disunity. We are a generation charged with disrupting the structure of criminal governance and recreating a new structure of unity and prosperity for all Nigerians. We can do it and we must do it!Many countries have done it under great leaders. I have studied and conversed with these leaders. If we do what they did, we will achieve even greater success. In the past months, I have consulted broadly. The message has been consistent. Those who grab power by any means have mismanaged it. They have not led. They have not served. They wished they turned our plural society and democracy into a convenient one-party state. No way. That will not happen. They want to create a false narrative that the Nigerian people are weak and tired. It is not true! Nigerian voters are ready to vote them out. They want to create a false sense of invincibility. That is false. They have built a house of cards with lies and errors. It will collapse as we unite to fight. Democracy offers us the opportunity to reject them at the polls. Our job next time, in 2027, is to vote them out and keep vigil until they are out. The Declaration Fellow Nigerians, this is the time for unity and prosperity. The signs are clear, and the mission is settled. Having been part of the coalition from inception, I now respectfully call on my political leaders, associates, supporters, the Obidient Movement, political leaders and members of the opposition parties across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress led by Sen. David Mark. This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. We are working with leaders across political divides who share a common commitment to rescuing Nigeria. The task ahead is enormous, but it is not insurmountable. History may forgive wrong decisions, but it will not forgive silence in moments of national peril. Do we deserve a government that thrives on division, propaganda and indifference to the suffering of its people? I do not believe so. Nigeria deserves patriotic leadership that unites and governs with empathy. Let history record that Nigeria’s turning point began here and now. Together, let us move forward with courage, unity and resolve. A new, united, productive and inclusive Nigeria is possible. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.