Obi Vows for Transparency, not to Spend Vacation Abroad if Elected in 2027

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed not to spend his holidays outside Nigeria if elected President in the 2027 general elections.
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Obi made the pledge in his Independence Day address delivered in Abuja on Thursday, saying he would use his four-year tenure to travel across the country, interact with Nigerians and better understand their challenges.

He said, “As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria. My holidays will be spent in Zamfara State; Borno State; Kwara State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State and other Nigerian States.

“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience.”

The former Anambra governor also promised that his administration would make governance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.

“As President of Nigeria, I will make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of our people. Within the first year, Nigerians will begin to see the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor pledged to tackle insecurity, saying farmers would be able to return to their farms while children would return to school and businesses would operate without fear.

He said, “We will confront insecurity decisively so that our farmers can return to their farms, our children can return to school, businesses can operate freely, and families can live without fear.

“No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security.”

Obi, who said Independence anniversaries should provide opportunities for national reflection, criticised the APC-led administration, arguing that the country had continued to face serious challenges despite the promises made in 2023.

He said Nigeria was grappling with widespread poverty, a large population of out-of-school children and persistent insecurity caused by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

“Despite the enormous promises made by the APC-led government in 2023, our nation continues to face deepening challenges across virtually every critical sector of national life,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate also recounted his recent visit to Sokoto State with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they held consultations on insecurity, poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and out-of-school children.

He said their visit to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Ramin Kura, within Sokoto metropolis, exposed the hardship faced by thousands of displaced women and children.

“Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country. What we saw in Ramin Kura is not an isolated story. It is a reflection of the suffering experienced, in different forms, across many parts of Nigeria.

“And yet, while ordinary Nigerians struggle with these realities, this present government often behaves as though these problems belong to another country.

“The political leaders have failed our country and, most importantly, we have failed our children. This must change,” Obi said.

The pledge comes one month after Obi criticised the practice of past and current presidents spending their holidays abroad, saying an elected president should remain in the country and use such periods to engage directly with citizens.

The former Anambra governor said he would mandate domestic vacations for the President if elected, arguing that the country’s leader should use the opportunity to visit areas facing serious security and developmental challenges.

“Nigeria’s President must spend his vacation in Nigeria. We cannot continue with this nonsense. Where do other countries’ own send their vacation?” Obi questioned.

Peter Obip

“The President should go to Zamfara, to Borno, to Anambra, to anywhere. As President of Nigeria, I will visit other countries, but I will not take my holidays there”.

When asked about the security implications of spending vacation time in states affected by insurgency and banditry, particularly Borno, Obi maintained that the President should not use security concerns as a reason to leave Nigeria during holidays.

He also drew a comparison with political leaders in other countries, arguing that the conduct of a Nigerian president should similarly reflect a strong connection with the country and its people.
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Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
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The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.

During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.

Navy

The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.

The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
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NAFOWA President Host Advisory Committee at Independence Day Celebration Dinner, Seeks Stronger Sisterhood

The National President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), Mrs. Ngozi Aneke has hosted the wives of Air Vice Marshals and Branch Chiefs to a special Independence Day celebration Dinner in Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
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The elegant gathering, held on the eve of the independence anniversary, brought together members of the NAFOWA National Advisory Committee for an evening of fellowship, reflection, and strategic engagement. Beyond the celebrations, the occasion provided an opportunity for the women to review the association’s ongoing projects, assess their progress, and deliberate on priorities for the future.

Welcoming the distinguished guests, Mrs. Aneke expressed delight at the gathering and acknowledged the invaluable roles played by the wives of senior Nigerian Air Force officers in supporting their families and contributing to the effectiveness of the service.

She noted that while the women occupy different positions within the Nigerian Air Force family, they are united by a common bond of sisterhood and shared responsibility.

“Beyond the positions we occupy and the responsibilities that come with them, gatherings like this remind us of the bond we share as women, wives, and members of the Nigerian Air Force family,” she said.

The NAFOWA President stressed the importance of the women’s support and encouragement in strengthening the family, noting that a stable and supportive homefront ultimately contributes to the effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Your support, encouragement and commitment play an important role in strengthening our families and, by extension, the Service. As NAFOWA, we deeply value this bond and look forward to fostering greater friendship, unity and collaboration among us,” she added.

Mrs. Aneke described the dinner as an opportunity for the women to unwind, connect, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and sisterhood that underpin the association.

Beyond the convivial atmosphere, the gathering also provided a platform for substantive engagement. Members of the National Advisory Committee reviewed the association’s ongoing projects and exchanged views on key areas requiring attention, with a focus on ensuring that NAFOWA’s programmes and policies remain responsive to the needs of its members and the wider Nigerian Air Force community.

NAFOWA

The deliberations further reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, continuity, and collective responsibility in advancing the objectives of the association.

The evening ended on a note of renewed commitment, with members of the Advisory Committee reaffirming their dedication to the values of NAFOWA and their collective responsibility to support the Nigerian Air Force family through stronger bonds of unity, friendship and collaboration.
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