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Daily Feeds Newspapers, Abuja (2026)

13/06/2026

The Prophet's Mosque, Al-Rawdah, and the Inner Peace of the Visitor's Mind

By Abubakar Dangambo

Madinah Al-Munawwarah, the radiant city of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), occupies a unique place in the hearts of Muslims across the world. Located about 450 kilometers from Makkah, it is a city of peace, spirituality, and immense historical significance. For millions of believers, visiting Madinah is not merely a journey; it is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

Unlike many great cities of the world that are known for their skyscrapers, industries, or commercial activities, Madinah is known for something far more precious—tranquility. The moment a visitor enters the city, he is greeted by an atmosphere of calmness and serenity that is difficult to describe in words. The city seems to embrace every visitor with a sense of comfort, reminding them that they are walking on land blessed by the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

At the heart of Madinah stands the magnificent Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid An-Nabawi), one of the holiest sites in Islam. Within its sacred boundaries lies the house of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where he spent much of his life and where he is buried alongside his beloved companions, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) and Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA).

The first time I entered Madinah and subsequently stepped into the Prophet's Mosque to observe the Maghrib and Isha prayers, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Words failed me. My eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude. For years, I had dreamed of visiting this sacred place, and suddenly I found myself standing within its walls.

As I joined thousands of worshippers in prayer, an indescribable feeling settled over me. My mind became calm, my heart found rest, and my entire body felt a comfort unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was as though every burden and worry had been lifted away. The peaceful atmosphere of the mosque, combined with the spiritual presence of the place, created a feeling that remains unforgettable.

Although we arrived in Madinah late at night from Jeddah, I could hardly wait for dawn. Immediately after the Fajr prayer the following morning, I hurried back to the Prophet's Mosque to visit the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his noble companions.

Standing before the sacred chamber was one of the most emotional moments of my life. Tears flowed freely as I thanked Allah Almighty for granting me the opportunity to fulfill a dream I had cherished for many years. I offered my greetings and salutations to the Prophet (peace be upon him), Abu Bakr (RA), and Umar (RA), praying that Allah would count me among those who sincerely love and follow their noble example.

Another unforgettable experience was praying in Al-Rawdah, the blessed area between the Prophet's pulpit and his house. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described it as a garden from the gardens of Paradise. Every Muslim who enters Al-Rawdah feels a special connection to history, faith, and spirituality. Being in that sacred space filled me with gratitude and humility. I spent those precious moments in prayer, reflection, and remembrance of Allah, thanking Him for His countless blessings.

What makes Madinah even more remarkable is not only its sacred sites but also the character of its people. The residents of Madinah are widely known for their kindness, hospitality, and respect for visitors. Whether in the streets, markets, hotels, or around the mosque, one encounters smiles, warm greetings, and genuine willingness to help.

The hospitality of the people reflects the legacy of the Ansar—the noble residents of Madinah who welcomed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions during the Hijrah. That spirit of generosity and care continues to live on in the city today. Visitors from every race, language, and nationality are treated with respect and dignity, making them feel at home despite being far from their own countries.

Walking through the streets of Madinah is itself a memorable experience. The city is remarkably clean, organized, and peaceful. Around the Prophet's Mosque, worshippers from every corner of the world gather in unity, demonstrating the universal brotherhood of Islam. Despite the diversity of cultures and languages, everyone is united by the same faith and love for Allah and His Messenger.

My stay in Madinah lasted only two days before I departed for Makkah to commence the rites of pilgrimage. Yet those two days remain among the most cherished moments of my life. The joy, comfort, spiritual fulfillment, and inner peace I experienced are memories that can never be erased.

Even now, whenever I reflect on those blessed days, my heart longs to return. Madinah is not simply a city one visits; it is a city that captures the soul. Its beauty lies not only in its buildings or landmarks but in the tranquility it offers, the history it preserves, and the spiritual connection it nurtures.

As I conclude this reflection, I pray that Allah, the Most Merciful, grants me another opportunity to visit Madinah and the Prophet's Mosque. I also pray that every Muslim who desires to visit the blessed city will one day be granted that privilege.

May Allah continue to shower His peace and blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.

Ameen.

07/06/2026

Kano Information Commissioner Orders Halt to Tree Felling at ARTV, Promises Digital Transformation
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The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has ordered the immediate suspension of indiscriminate tree felling within the premises of Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), describing the practice as contrary to the state government's environmental protection and climate change policies.

The commissioner gave the directive during an unscheduled visit to the state-owned television station following the circulation of a viral video showing trees being cut down within the station's premises.
Waiya expressed concern over the development, warning that the depletion of natural resources such as trees poses serious environmental risks and should not be encouraged.

He stressed that any future decision to remove trees within the station's premises must receive official approval after consultation with the relevant government agencies.
"Tree felling without due process is unacceptable. It undermines the government's commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation," he said.
Beyond the environmental concerns, the commissioner also assessed the operational performance of ARTV and identified several areas requiring urgent improvement.

According to him, available assessments indicate that the station is no longer meeting the expectations of viewers due to outdated programming and poor-quality news production.

He noted that while modern television stations now provide real-time audience engagement and flexible viewing options through digital platforms, ARTV has remained largely conservative in its operations, making it difficult to compete with other broadcasting organisations across the country.

Waiya said the situation does not align with the vision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's administration, which prioritises digital innovation and modern operational practices across all sectors.

To reposition the station for improved performance, the commissioner urged the management to make effective use of its annual budget for transformative projects, particularly in the areas of digital infrastructure, staff training and professional development.

He further disclosed plans to submit a special report to Governor Yusuf seeking intervention to facilitate a comprehensive digital upgrade of the station.

According to him, the proposed intervention will enhance ARTV's competitiveness and strengthen its capacity to deliver quality broadcasting services.
The commissioner also charged the station's management to uphold transparency and accountability in the utilisation of resources and ensure effective personnel management.

Speaking during the visit, the Deputy Managing Director of ARTV, Malam Idris Abba Musa, acknowledged the challenges facing the organisation.

He identified bureaucratic bottlenecks, inadequate staff training and insufficient digitalisation of facilities as some of the major obstacles affecting the station's operations.

Musa expressed optimism that with the support of the state government, the station would be better positioned to overcome its challenges and improve service delivery to the public.

05/06/2026

CGC Adeniyi Strengthens Global Partnerships at Customs Diplomatic Reception
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 3 June 2026 hosted a high-level diplomatic cocktail reception in Abuja, bringing together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of missions, and senior government officials in a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening international cooperation, trade relations, and institutional partnerships.

The event, held at the rooftop of the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja, also attracted the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, members of the Customs Management, and other senior officials from key security and government institutions.

Welcoming the diplomatic community, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed appreciation for the sustained support of international partners in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing global trade cooperation with Nigeria.

“We recognize and appreciate your contributions to strengthening diplomatic and trade relations. The Service remains committed to providing the support and services required for diplomatic missions to operate effectively in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that NCS continues to deepen its global footprint through structured collaboration frameworks with over twenty customs administrations worldwide, focusing on knowledge exchange, capacity development, and operational synergy aimed at improving trade facilitation and border management.

According to him, sustained collaboration among customs administrations, diplomatic missions, and security agencies remains critical to achieving efficient border security, enhanced revenue generation, and improved economic competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.

The CGC further emphasised that modern Customs administration now operates within a highly interconnected global system, requiring continuous engagement, trust-building, and shared responsibility among international partners to address emerging challenges in trade, security, and compliance management.

He added that platforms such as the diplomatic reception provide valuable opportunities for dialogue, relationship building, and the exploration of new areas of cooperation that will further strengthen Nigeria’s trade and diplomatic architecture.

The evening concluded with networking sessions and goodwill messages from participants, with senior government officials and diplomatic representatives commending the NCS for its consistent efforts in fostering stronger institutional ties and promoting an enabling environment for international collaboration.

05/06/2026

Northern Youth Assembly Accuses Kwankwaso of Abandoning Core Northern Ideals Over Obi Alliance
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The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has launched a strong criticism of former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, accusing him of abandoning the core values and principles upon which his political movement was built through an alleged alliance with Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Hafiz Garba, the group described the political partnership as a "betrayal" of the ideals of northern pride, dignity, and cultural identity that it said had long defined the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
According to the assembly, the movement gained prominence through its emphasis on northern development, educational advancement, economic empowerment, and the protection of northern interests. It noted that Kwankwaso's political appeal was built largely on his image as a champion of northern aspirations and values.

The group argued that the reported alliance has raised concerns among many northerners because of what it described as past remarks by some supporters of the Obidient Movement regarding revered northern historical and political figures.

Specifically, the assembly cited the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria; Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria's first Prime Minister; and Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, the renowned Islamic scholar and founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, as prominent northern figures whose legacies it claimed had been subjected to criticism by some supporters within the Obidient political camp.

The statement questioned why Kwankwaso had not publicly addressed or condemned such comments, insisting that northerners deserved clarity on how the alliance aligns with the values the Kwankwasiyya Movement has historically projected.
"The north has every right to demand answers regarding the implications of this political relationship and its impact on the ideals of northern dignity and heritage," the statement said.
The assembly maintained that the symbols and identity of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, particularly its emphasis on northern pride and political consciousness, were incompatible with any association involving individuals or groups perceived to have disparaged the region's historical icons.

It further contended that the alleged alliance represents a significant departure from the principles many supporters believed the movement stood for and urged political leaders in the region to remain committed to protecting northern interests and preserving the legacies of its founding figures.

The group concluded by calling on northern voters to carefully scrutinize emerging political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections and to support leaders it believes will uphold the region's cultural heritage and political aspirations.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso nor the Kwankwasiyya Movement had publicly responded to the claims contained in the statement.

04/06/2026

Concerned Enugu Leaders Hail Nnamani As Authentic PDP Governorship Candidate, Praise His Progressive Vision
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A group under the aegis of Concerned Enugu Leaders has congratulated Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani on his emergence as what it described as the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Boniface Chukwuma, said Nnamani’s emergence reflects the democratic will of PDP members across the state and positions the party for a strong showing in the forthcoming election.

The leaders noted that recent developments within the PDP, including the recognition of the Abdulrahman-led leadership of the party and the outcome of the governorship primary election, have further reinforced Nnamani’s status as the party’s legitimate flagbearer in Enugu State.

According to the statement, Nnamani’s insistence that he remains the duly elected candidate of the PDP is consistent with the outcome of the governorship primary election allegedly supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the legal developments that have shaped the party’s internal processes.

The group recalled that Nnamani had publicly declared himself the authentic PDP governorship candidate, maintaining that the party was no longer factionalised following the recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction and stressing that the panel that conducted and declared the result of the primary election came from Abuja.

The Concerned Enugu Leaders said they were convinced that Nnamani possesses the leadership qualities, political maturity, administrative capacity and progressive mindset required to lead Enugu State to greater heights.

“Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani has consistently demonstrated commitment to the ideals of democracy, party development and good governance. His emergence is a reflection of the confidence that party members have reposed in his leadership and vision for Enugu State,” the statement read.

The group described Nnamani as a bridge-builder with a reputation for inclusiveness, noting that his political journey and engagement with stakeholders across the state have earned him widespread respect among party faithful and the larger Enugu populace.

According to the elders, the former governorship aspirant has distinguished himself as a man of integrity, courage and progressive ideas capable of driving economic growth, youth empowerment and infrastructural development in the state.

They further commended the conduct of the PDP primary election, which they said reflected the democratic wishes of delegates across the 17 local government areas of the state.

The group recalled that Chief Nnamani emerged victorious in the primary election after polling 7,542 votes to defeat former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who scored 121 votes.

They noted that the result was announced by the PDP Returning Officer, High Chief Wisdom Okoye, who declared that the exercise was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines approved by the National Working Committee (NWC).

According to the official result, a total of 7,663 accredited votes were recorded during the exercise, with Nnamani securing an overwhelming majority of the valid votes cast.

The elders said the outcome demonstrated the confidence and trust reposed in Nnamani by delegates and party members throughout the state.

They also referenced the remarks of the Returning Officer, who described the primary election as orderly, transparent and credible, adding that delegates were given the opportunity to freely exercise their democratic rights.

While acknowledging the existence of other claimants to the PDP governorship ticket, including former Minister Chief Uche Nnaji and Dona Nwogbo, the group urged party members and residents of the state to remain united and focus on strengthening the PDP ahead of the 2027 election.

The Concerned Enugu Leaders said they believe that Nnamani’s emergence provides the party with a strong platform for rebuilding, reconciliation and electoral success.

They called on PDP stakeholders across the state to close ranks and work together in the interest of the party and Enugu State.

“The time has come for all lovers of Enugu State to rally behind a leader with a clear vision, proven leadership qualities and a progressive mind. Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani possesses these qualities and remains well-positioned to provide purposeful leadership for the people of Enugu State,” the statement added.

The group expressed optimism that Nnamani’s candidacy would usher in a new era of unity, development and prosperity for the state while strengthening the PDP’s chances in the 2027 governorship contest.

Chief Chukwuma urged residents to continue supporting democratic processes and to remain committed to the peace, progress and development of Enugu State.

03/06/2026

Peter Obi's Romance with A Terrorist Group (IPOB) Exposes A Dangerous Agenda Against Nigeria

- Sufyan Lawal Kabo (Sefjamil)
[email protected]

The writing is clearly on the wall: Peter Obi’s repeated defence and open sympathy for the terrorist group IPOB expose a dangerous agenda against the unity and stability of Nigeria. His posture raises serious suspicions about a calculated attempt to advance the Southeast’s secessionist ambitions and ultimately push an agenda of Igbo political dominance over the country. No true nationalist would continue to associate with or defend a group whose activities have threatened national peace, security, and coexistence.

As Nigeria gradually moves toward another electoral season, many citizens are beginning to critically re-examine the political movement built around Peter Obi and the Obidient ideology. While his supporters present him as a symbol of change, many Nigerians, especially in the North and parts of the Southwest, remain deeply worried about the kind of political tension and division that often surrounds his movement.

One of the major concerns repeatedly raised against Peter Obi is his controversial position regarding IPOB. The Indigenous People of Biafra was declared a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian military on September 15, 2017. Various federal authorities defended that action based on security concerns and separatist activities.

However, over the years, Obi turned out being too soft toward IPOB and failing to clearly distance himself from separatist sentiments. This has continued to generate suspicion among many Nigerians who believe national unity must remain non-negotiable.

Another issue that generated strong reactions during the 2023 election was Peter Obi’s repeated “take back your country” campaign slogan in churches. Across several campaign appearances especially in churches where he seem to prefer campaigning, Obi consistently told worshippers that it was time to “take back the country.” a phrase dangerously promoted resentment and emotional anger against existing institutions. Many also observed that the slogan gained massive traction particularly within emotionally charged religious gatherings and church based mobilisations during the campaign period.

For a country already struggling with ethnic and religious fault lines, many Nigerians feared that such rhetoric could deepen division instead of promoting unity.

Equally controversial was Obi’s 2023 campaign visit to Kano State. Political observers noted that his major outing in Kano was concentrated around Sabon Gari, an area historically dominated by Igbo traders and residents. A presidential candidate seeking national unity should visibly engage broader indigenous communities across Kano rather than appearing politically comfortable only within ethnic strongholds. Many northern citizens interpreted the optics as politically insensitive and reflective of identity based mobilisation.

Another worrying trend in recent times is the increasing disrespect directed at northern historical leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa by the Igbo supporters of Obi especially those in southeast and the Kwankwasiyya members in Kano. These men remain foundational figures in Nigeria’s political history and symbols of Northern leadership and sacrifice. Sadly, social media spaces have increasingly become filled with insulting comments, revisionist attacks and mockery against these late leaders.

While political disagreement is normal in democracy, there is a dangerous culture developing where historical figures are demonised simply because of modern political bitterness. Such attacks are unhealthy for national unity and dangerous for younger generations who may grow up without respect for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Many Nigerians are therefore beginning to ask difficult questions. Did Obi, being a dire supporter of IPOB, terrorist group, deserve to become a president of this country? Is the Obidient movement truly about national unity, or has it become a platform driven mainly by anger, online aggression and ethnic emotions? Can Nigeria survive another wave of highly emotional politics built around social media propaganda and regional grievances?

The truth is that Nigeria needs reforms, competent leadership and accountability. But Nigeria also needs stability, unity and mutual respect among all ethnic and religious groups. No political ambition should be allowed to inflame ethnic suspicion or deepen regional hostility.

As 2027 gradually approaches, Nigerians must be careful not to surrender the future of the country to emotional propaganda, social media pressure or divisive political narratives. Leadership should unite Nigeria, not polarise it further.

Sufyan writes from Abuja

Peter Obi, IPOB and the Questions that Still Demand AnswersBy Munir Ibrahim Publishermuneeribrahim2020@gmail.com2nd June...

03/06/2026

Peter Obi, IPOB and the Questions that Still Demand Answers

By Munir Ibrahim Publisher
[email protected]
2nd June, 2026

Politically, words matter. The statements made by public figures, particularly those seeking the highest office in the land, often outlive the political moment in which they were made. Years after Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, one statement attributed to Peter Obi continues to generate debate and raise important questions about national security, political responsibility and leadership.

In October 2022, Peter Obi was widely reported as saying that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were “not terrorists,” adding that he lived among them and encountered them regularly in Onitsha. According to reports, Obi argued that many of those associated with the movement were ordinary people and should not be automatically classified as terrorists.

At first glance, the statement may appear to be an attempt to distinguish between ordinary supporters of a political cause and those who may be involved in violent activities. However, the statement also raises significant questions that deserve serious public scrutiny.

The first question is whether personal experience should be used as the basis for evaluating organizations that have become subjects of national security concern. Peter Obi’s argument appeared to rely heavily on his personal interactions with individuals he identified as IPOB members. Yet national security assessments are typically based on intelligence reports, investigations, court decisions and the analysis of security agencies rather than personal encounters.

If a political leader claims that a group is not involved in terrorism because he personally knows some of its members, where should the line be drawn? Can personal familiarity be sufficient grounds to challenge official security classifications? These questions become even more important in a country facing multiple security threats.

Secondly, Obi’s statement raises the issue of consistency. If personal experience is enough to dismiss allegations against one group, would the same standard apply to every organization accused of violence in other parts of Nigeria? Public policy requires standards that are consistent and universally applicable, regardless of region, ethnicity or political affiliation.

Furthermore, the statement invites a broader discussion about the distinction between peaceful agitation and violent conduct. Across the world, political movements often contain a mixture of peaceful supporters and more radical elements. The challenge for responsible leadership is to clearly separate legitimate political expression from any actions that threaten lives, public order or national unity.

Years after making the statement, many Nigerians may legitimately ask whether Peter Obi still maintains the same position. If his views have evolved in light of subsequent developments, has he clearly communicated those changes to the public? If his position remains unchanged, what specific evidence supports it today?

These are not questions of political hostility. They are questions of accountability. Democracy requires citizens to critically examine the statements of all political actors, regardless of party affiliation or personal popularity.

Supporters of Peter Obi may argue that he was defending innocent citizens from broad generalizations and advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the situation in the South-East. Critics, on the other hand, may contend that public figures must exercise caution when discussing groups that have been linked to security controversies.

The purpose of revisiting this debate is not to demonize any individual or community. Rather, it is to encourage honest reflection on the responsibilities of leadership in a complex and diverse nation like Nigeria.

As Nigeria continues to search for solutions to its security challenges, the country deserves clarity from its leaders. The question is not merely what Peter Obi said in 2022. The more important question is whether the reasoning behind that statement remains convincing today and whether it reflects the level of judgment Nigerians expect from those who seek to lead the nation.

03/06/2026

The IPOB Question That Will Not Go Away: Why Peter Obi’s Unretracted Defence of a Proscribed Terrorist Organisation Remains His Most Dangerous Liability in the 2027 Northern Campaign

By Hafiz Garba

In Nigerian politics, the most dangerous statements a presidential candidate can make are not the ones that generate immediate controversy, attract swift condemnation, and are quickly walked back through press releases and media appearances. Those statements are managed, contextualised, and eventually absorbed into the permanent background noise of the political cycle. The most dangerous statements are the ones that are never retracted, never formally revisited, and never replaced by a position that more accurately reflects the gravity of what was originally said. They are the statements that sit quietly in the public record, accumulating relevance with every passing month, waiting for the moment when the political stakes are highest to reveal themselves as the most consequential and most damaging liabilities in a candidate’s entire profile. For Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate of 2023 and now the presidential flagbearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for 2027, that statement was made on Channels Television on October 1, 2017, and it has never, in the nine years since it was first uttered, been retracted, corrected, or replaced by anything that could be reasonably interpreted as a changed position.
The statement is on record, verified by multiple credible outlets including Vanguard, Legit.ng, Guardian Nigeria, and Channels Television itself. Speaking on the programme Politics Today, Peter Obi said, in his own words: “The only thing I disagree with is naming IPOB terrorist. They are not terrorists. I stay in Onitsha, and I can tell you that they are people I pass on the road every day. I meet and live with them. In fact, I usually see people gathering, and I have never had the sense of threat or molestation from them, even when they gather.” The context of the statement was the Buhari administration’s September 2017 proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra as a terrorist organisation, a designation that the Federal High Court of Nigeria had formally endorsed, that the United Kingdom government had accepted by May 2022 and used as the basis for excluding IPOB members from its asylum programme, and that successive Nigerian security and intelligence assessments had supported on the basis of documented violent attacks, enforced sit-at-home orders, and killings attributed to the group and its Eastern Security Network affiliate across the South-East of Nigeria.
The political significance of the statement did not end in 2017. It resurfaced with devastating effect ahead of the 2023 presidential election, generating widespread outrage across Northern Nigeria and deepening the already substantial trust deficit that Obi faced in a region whose communities had borne disproportionate suffering from organised political violence and whose voters demanded, as the absolute minimum threshold of political credibility, that any candidate seeking their support be willing to call those who threatened their lives and communities by the legally designated names that the Nigerian state had given them. The contrast that northern commentators, political analysts, and ordinary voters repeatedly drew was stark and inescapable: northern political leaders had consistently and without hesitation called Boko Haram and bandits terrorists, accepting the moral and political responsibility of that designation regardless of its domestic political cost. Peter Obi had not extended the same moral clarity to IPOB, and the question of why he had not was one that his campaign never satisfactorily answered.
When the pressure to address his IPOB position finally became politically unsustainable in July 2023, Obi issued a statement on insecurity in Nigeria that his critics rightly identified as a masterclass in strategic evasion. The statement emphasised killings in the North Central zone while describing the criminal activities of IPOB in the South-East as merely a disruption of business and social activities, a characterisation that the families of security personnel killed by the group, the communities subjected to economic strangulation through enforced sit-at-home orders, and the ordinary South-Eastern residents who had been living under a climate of fear and intimidation for years would have found not merely inadequate but deeply insulting. The statement referred to sit-at-home orders as purported reports, a qualifier that effectively called into question the documented experiences of millions of people, and it conspicuously declined to call for the investigation of IPOB or the arrest of those responsible for the violence attributed to the group. It was not a retraction of his 2017 position. It was a careful and deliberately constructed restatement of it in language that was marginally more diplomatic but substantively identical.
The political context of 2027 makes this unresolved liability significantly more dangerous for Obi’s northern ambitions than it was in 2023. In the intervening years, the humanitarian and security consequences of IPOB’s activities in the South-East have accumulated to a point where the group’s designation as a terrorist organisation is no longer merely a legal technicality or a political contestation but a lived reality for millions of Nigerians across multiple regions. The sit-at-home orders, backed by violence and intimidation, have cost the South-Eastern economy hundreds of billions of naira and disrupted the education, healthcare, and daily economic activity of communities that IPOB claims to represent but demonstrably harms. The Eastern Security Network’s documented attacks on security forces and civilian infrastructure have produced a body count and a pattern of organised violence that any serious presidential candidate is obligated to address with the moral clarity and the institutional seriousness that the scale of the harm demands.
Peter Obi has not provided that clarity. His campaign for 2027 has focused on economic management, governance reform, power sector development, and the strategic deployment of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate in a bid to address the northloded credibility deficit that his 2023 campaign exposed with devastating electoral clarity. Those are legitimate and important dimensions of a presidential campaign. But they do not substitute for the fundamental question that northern voters, whose communities have consistently been on the receiving end of organised political violence and whose tolerance for presidential candidates with ambiguous positions on terrorist organisations is, for entirely understandable reasons, essentially zero, will ask before casting their votes in 2027: does Peter Obi consider IPOB a terrorist organisation, yes or no? Until he answers that question with the directness, the specificity, and the moral clarity that the question demands, every rally he holds in the North, every promise he makes to northern communities, and every calculation his campaign makes about the Kwankwaso running-mate’s ability to deliver northern votes will be shadowed by the nine-year-old statement that sits in the public record, waiting.
The North does not forget statements about terrorism easily. It cannot afford to. It has paid too high a price in lives, in livelihoods, and in the accumulated trauma of communities that have lived under the shadow of organised violence for too long to extend the benefit of the doubt to a presidential candidate whose most clearly stated position on a proscribed terrorist organisation has never, in nine years of opportunity, been corrected, retracted, or replaced by anything approaching the moral seriousness that the security realities of northern Nigeria demand. Peter Obi’s IPOB problem is not a campaign management challenge. It is a character and credibility question. And in the North, where the cost of ambiguity on terrorism has been measured in blood, it may ultimately prove to be the question that his 2027 presidential ambition cannot survive

Hafiz Garba PhD,
Secretary General,
Northern Youth Assembly,
(Majalisar Matasan Arewa)

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