Fellow Nigerians, it’s 3 days to go and in my quiet moments I know that Nigerians are wondering what Peter Obi is thinking. I will share my thoughts here because I have Nigeria on my mind!
We are currently at a crossroads. We need a leader to show us the way forward. We need a prudent president, a principled president who has what it takes to lead.
As we say in Naija: “We need a person who sabi road; a person we go follow make this country better.” A new Nigeria is possible. We can make it.
We have national elections coming up next Saturday, on the 25th of February 2023. The presidential election is the most critical because we will be electing the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is the only chance to elect a leader of our choice. We must choose someone who can solve our problems. This is an essential and existential election. It is a make-or-break moment in our history. Future generations will not forgive us if we make a wrong choice.
The person of your choice must have these four qualities minimally:
Character: A person with a proven record of fairness, honesty, and trust. We need an honest person with a verifiable background: We must know his real name. We must know where he said he schooled.
We must know people who knew him then. We must know where he has been, what he has done, what he has said, and what he has been doing these past months during the campaigns.
Competence: Someone who has the proven capability and the drive to move us forward. The person must have the required skills and must show the physical and mental ability to manage the affairs of Nigeria.
The president we need must present the correct image of Nigeria abroad and stand tall among his peers at the United Nations and other international forums.
Commitment: We need someone who is committed and has the capacity to stop official corruption in this country. We have heard far too many talks about change. Enough of empty promises! We are tired of hearing sorry stories.
We want real changes, not endless pity parties and porous pledges.
Compassion: We want a leader who is concerned about the welfare of Nigerians, not his clique of praise singers. Our fellow citizens are in IDP camps. I spent Christmas and New Year with them.
They should be home. People die daily, are kidnapped, killed, and raped. No one in government offers the right level of response. It must end. We need a leader with the courage to do whatever it takes to bring relief to our citizens in distress.
Let us perfect the federation of our forefathers. Every generation is destined to make the country better. The post-Independence generation has arrived. This is our turn. This is our time. This is our chance to make a difference.
Making the same old choice will yield the same result. We are Nigerians. We are rational citizens. We can make rational decisions. Let us keep a date with our destiny. Let us make a new nation for future generations.
The world is watching. We must take our destined position as the giant of Africa. You and I know the right thing to do. The greatest lie one can tell is a lie to one’s soul. If you are still undecided, please talk to yourself. Allow your conscience to guide you.
No one is perfect but, ask yourself, “Should I choose someone I do not wish as a role model for my children?
Be introspective. Ask: Could I live with myself for making the wrong choice just for a moment just for few new naira notes or because of my region and my religion?
I believe you will make the right choice and vote Labour Party: LP (Mama. Papa, and Pikin): The election is not about Obi and Baba-Ahmed. This election is not about our ethnic groups, African traditional religion, Christianity, or Islam.
It is not about our sacred churches, mosques, and shrines. The election is about the future of this land that God gave to our great generation.
Why Labour? I will tell you.
We want to move our economy from importing and consuming products to producing, consuming less, and exporting more. That is the essence of Consumption to Production.
Datti and I will work hard every day and with everyone. Many things went wrong in the past 24 years. There are enough blames to go round. We will not share blames. We will share hope. No more excuses. In life, what matters more is not what happened to us; it is what we do with what happened to us. Honesty is the best policy. We must be truthful to ourselves. Truth is the essence of life. I pride myself in striving to be an upright citizen.
I endeavour to do the right things. Fairness is the golden rule: do unto others as you wish them to do unto you. When I fail, I learn.
Our revered Chinua Achebe stated that our humanity depends on the humanity of others. We are in this word with great gifts. Our world presents challenges and opportunities. Challenges stimulate our creativity.
We will use the opportunity of vast resources in our God-given earth to meet those challenges confronting humanity. The welfare of one is the welfare of all.
My modesty is not words of mouth: I live it. We can feed off each other’s simplicity. By producing more and consuming less, we can balance our needs, not wants,and make society more equitable. It makes no sense fighting over issues that require rational thinking & good conscience.
I love this country. It is not perfect. Nothing is perfect. Perfection is a continuum. The labours of our heroes past must not be in vain.
Please come out and vote for Labour Party (LP) Please subscribe to success, to the triumph of a tested, trusted, and verified leadership. Do not renew the subscription to suffering, to the sorrow of tomorrow.
A new Nigeria is possible. Let’s make it happen like a TEAM: Together, everyone achieves more.
These past months have been quite a journey. I have met millions of fellow Nigerians from all walks of life: men and women, young and old, rich and poor.
I thank our vice-presidential candidate, my brother, my friend and partner Senator Dr Datti Ahmed for coming with me on this journey. I thank the Obidients and my core team. History will record this campaign as the best: focused, friendly, mega rallies delivered with no shịshị, always respectful, and zero violence.
Salute to all of us!
We all made it happen: organically structured, passionate, united, and verified!
I ask you, my people, to empower me as your president and commander-in-chief. I will be in charge. I have the requirements for correct leadership: character, competence, commitment, compassion, hard work, honesty, humanity, and humility.
I have the courage and the heart with which to deliver the dividends of democracy freely and fairly to our people. Where we fail, hold me responsible; where we succeed, kudos to you. We can change this country. If it takes us making the supreme sacrifice, let us make it for a greater tomorrow.
I am most grateful that you found me worthy to take the torch and lead. I would not have come this far if you did not follow me. You are my strength, the wings that power the historic Obidient movement.
Let us make it for a greater tomorrow.
On~ behalf of all our dedicated team, I promise to deliver on all core values.
These are my thoughts. This coming Saturday, let us promote the Family Value – by voting for the Labour Party—LP: Mama, Papa, and Pikin.
Vote Labour correctly, peacefully, and hopefully. Labour Party: Forward Ever!
23RD FEBRUARY, 2023
DELTA PDP CAMPAIGN COUNCIL DISCLAIMER ON POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS/CLOSE OF CAMPAIGNS
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State Campaign Council, wishes to alert our Local Government Campaign Organizations, Ward/Unit Campaign Outfits, and support groups amongst others, to TAKE NOTE that political campaigns ends at midnight, today, Thursday, 23rd February, 2023.
As a responsible political party that believes in and respects the rule of law, we call on all affiliate groups to pull down all campaign advertisements in the social media, in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television stations, in obedience and adherence to the electoral rules and guidelines for the 2023 general elections.
We, therefore call on all such groups to immediately comply with the electoral rules which bars and forbids political advertisements 24 hours before the elections.
We further wish to emphasize that the Delta State PDP Campaign Council will not take responsibility for any infringement, as anyone found culpable will be held fully responsible and bear the punitive consequences that may arise therefrom.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant law enforcement agencies, are hereby put on Notice that the Delta State PDP Campaign Council, by this Public Statement, completely exonerates itself from any subsequent breaches that may occur and will take no responsibility for any infraction or contravention of the established guidelines, should anyone flout this regulation.
Please be informed and guided accordingly.
Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza,
Deputy Director, Media & Publicity,
Delta PDP Campaign Council/ State Publicity Secretary,
Delta State PDP.
23RD FEBRUARY, 2023
DELTA PDP URGES DELTANS TO VOTE ATIKU/OKOWA FOR PRESIDENCY, PDP ALL THE WAY FOR SENATE, HOUSE OF REPS, ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
The Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Campaign Council, has urged Deltans to come out en-masse and vote for Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa for President, as well as, all the Senatorial candidates in the 3 (three) Senatorial Zones of the State and 10 (Ten) Federal Constituencies in Delta State.
This appeal was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Deputy Director, Media/Publicity Committee, Delta PDP Campaign Council and State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
The statement reads: “Beloved Deltans, friends, brothers, and sisters, on Saturday, February 25th we will come out once more, to perform our constitutional duty by voting for the man who will become the next President of our country, as well as the Members of the National Assembly, who will make the laws to guide our nation in the next four years.
“The election this year is arguably the most crucial and critical national assignment we have been faced with in our democratic journey because, never before in the history of our nation, has Nigeria and Nigerians been so divided, polarized, endangered, faced with life-threatening insecurity and a regime of unmitigated suffering, choking suffocation and prolonged uncertainty, foisted upon us, by the All Progressives Congress, APC; a government they elected by themselves, with their votes.
February 25 provides us with a great and the best opportunity to correct this mistake that has delivered eight years of endless horror by voting out the APC and returning Nigeria to the glorious era of peace, prosperity, a sense of belonging, and the patriotic confidence of knowing that our identity as Nigerians, which we enjoyed when the PDP administration was in power, will be achieved again.
As you go out to cast your vote on February 25, we urge you to come out en-masse and vote PDP all the way, comport yourselves with decency, discipline, and decorum, guard your votes jealously, and don’t allow anybody to harass, intimidate or cajole you with their actions. Remain steadfast and be vigilant, peaceful, and unwavering in your resolve to ensure that your votes will count and be counted, as we march to victory after the election.
Remember the code:
ATIKU/OKOWA for President.
VOTE the UMBRELLA on ALL the ballot papers.
VOTE PDP All the way.
Let Us Recover, Reset and Unify Nigeria Together.
PDP, Power to the People!
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza,
Deputy Director,
Media/Publicity Committee,
Delta PDP Campaign Council and
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.
2023 Elections: Technology experts explain how Atiku, Okowa’s voices were cloned
In the run-up to the 2023 Nigerian Presidential elections tomorrow 25th Febuary, a new kind of political attack campaign has emerged, using cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to clone the voices of political figures. The most recent example involves the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, whose voices has been cloned using A.I. technology in an attempt to discourage voters before tomorrow’s elections .
The viral voice recording, which purports to be Atiku Abubakar making comments about INEC, has been circulating on social media in Nigeria, causing a stir among the electorate. However, technology experts have now come forward to debunk the recording, pointing out irregularities that prove it is a fake, generated using sophisticated A.I. software that can mimic the sound and intonation of any human voice. They cited online services like www.respeecher.com and www.Resemble.ai which clone speech that are indistinguishable from the original speaker.
“Artificial intelligence is an incredible tool that has many useful applications, but it can also be used for nefarious purposes,” said Dr. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a technology expert based in Lagos. “In this case, someone has used A.I. to clone Atiku Abubakar’s voice and create a recording that never actually happened. We need to be vigilant and aware of these kinds of techniques, especially in the political sphere. I also hope the law enforcement authorities are getting more sophisticated inn their investigations to hold those propagating these sort of dangerous activities”
Dr. Ekekwe went on to explain that A.I. voice cloning technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, and it is now possible to create convincing fake recordings that are almost indistinguishable from real ones. However, there are ways to detect fake recordings, such as analyzing the waveform and frequency of the voice, which can reveal anomalies that are characteristic of A.I. generated speech.
As the Nigerian Presidential election approaches, it is likely that we will see more instances of A.I.-generated voice cloning being used in political campaigns. However, with the help of technology experts like Dr. Ekekwe, it is possible to expose these fake recordings and prevent them from influencing the outcome of the election.
Atiku to Nigerians: Ignore fake audio in circulation
- •••••Says it’s last kick of a dying horse
The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has described as utter rubbish, an audio clip on social media wherein he purportedly revealed plans by himself, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to rig the presidential election.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, the PDP presidential candidate, said the latest fake audio clip in circulation was a confirmation of his warning last week that the opposition would deepen its propaganda ahead of the election.
Shaibu said, “We warned last week that as the election approaches, there will be a spike in the rate of propaganda on social media. With barely 24 hours to the poll, we have witnessed propaganda from not just the All Progressives Congress but the Labour Party as well.
“In this latest drivel, a montage of speeches delivered by Atiku, Tambuwal, and Okowa since last year were manipulated and pieced together to give an impression that they were discussing plans to rig Saturday’s election. In this age of artificial intelligence technology, even dead people can be portrayed as delivering speeches. This is nothing new.
“For the record, Atiku has run in two presidential elections and has never been indicted or prosecuted for election violence or vote buying.
“But some people think they can sell a narrative of Atiku manipulating this election. This is indeed the height of desperation, the last kick of a dying horse. The APC and the Labour Party must note that elections are not won on social media but at the polling units.”
Atiku said the audio clip, which had been shared numerous times on WhatsApp, could be identified easily as a fake even from the tone of the purported discussants.
He added, “It is unfortunate that those seeking power will engage in outdated defeatist tactics. How can Tambuwal be referring to Atiku by his full name in a one-on-one private conversation? This is nonsensical, similar to the type of meaningless chatter about President Muhammadu Buhari being dead and replaced by one Jubril from Sudan.”
Atiku also advised his supporters not to engage in the propaganda war, which had become the style of both the APC and the Labour Party. He said they should respond by voting massively for the PDP on Saturday.
He added, “When they descend to the level of baseless propaganda, we will rise above it with dignity and respond with our PVCs. This election is a watershed in Nigerian history. Nigerians must not lose sight of what is most important, which is the need to rebuild this broken system, revitalize the economy, and improve security and the hope of the people in a united Nigeria.”
The presidential candidate called on the police and other security agencies as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain fair and neutral in the polls.
He asked them to go after those behind the audio tape in line with Section 123(c) of the Electoral Act which provides that any person who before or during an election publishes any statement to the personal character or conduct of a candidate calculated to prejudice the chance of election of the candidate or to promote or procure the election of another candidate and such statement is false and was published without reasonable grounds for belief by the person publishing it that the statement is true, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.
Signed:
Phrank Shaibu
Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar
President candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria.
Abuja.
24th February, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
20TH FEBRUARY, 2023
APC Lied Again In Shameless Hoax Headline
The attention of the Delta State PDP Campaign Council, has again been drawn to another diatribe sponsored by the sinking and shameless All Progressives Congress (APC), with the headline: “The growing rage against PDP in Delta State,” written this time, by two hack scribblers with the names – Ted Uwadiusor/Anthony Arugba.
The Deputy Director, Media/Publicity of the PDP Campaign Council and State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, reacting, described the write-up as the job of two hatchet men who, just like their colleagues in the past, made meaningless marks with their messy write-up.
The PDP notes that the headline given to the write-up exposed the writers as impetuous fellows who produced a dirty and disorderly work, produced largely from the figment of the imagination of their sponsors.
Discerning Deltans and other observers have since seen that what was put out was a potpourri of lies against the truth and reality on ground.
Indeed, the first lie is the headline which gave the impression that there’s extreme anger against PDP in Delta State. If anything, the growing rage is in fact against the APC, who Deltans have come to know as a lack-lustre party, one that cannot be trusted and believed, and one that lacks true progressive credentials. It is the reason the APC has become the most dumped and abandoned political party in Delta State, by ex-faithful that have now seen the light and made bold to walk away from the drowning political party. And the PDP has been the greatest beneficiary of those dumping the hapless opposition party.
Yes, pieces of evidence abound across all the 270 Wards and 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State, of how erstwhile faithful of the APC jumped ship and by sheer determination crossed over to the PDP. They did this through an open, public declaration of their decision and spiced with the reason they took such a decision. A few examples will suffice:
In Ward 5, Ekwukwu Agbor, Ika South, on November 11, 2022, the former Chairman of the APC in the Ward, Mr. Onyeme Libenson along with his supporters dumped the APC and embraced the PDP. Libenson said: “I have seen the good work being done by the PDP. Our women, traders are doing well because they are receiving help from the PDP administration. Our youths are receiving empowerment from the PDP administration in Delta State. APC has no administration. If APC wins again, things will be difficult for people in Nigeria. Buhari has failed; even the broom, APC symbol has become firewood.”
At Umunede Ward 11, Ika North East LGA, APC Ward 11 Chairman, Mr. Abel Adagbor openly dumped the party and embraced the PDP. He said the APC was not on ground in the Local Government Area.
At Ndokwa West LGA, Ward 1, Eke market, Kwale, the Integrity Ladies led by Philomena Ojeje dumped the APC openly and embraced the PDP. She said: “APC are liars and big deceivers. There’s no road in APC.” Also at Onicha-Ukwuani Ward 5, Chigwe Ojodume, while decamping from the APC said he had been suffering in the APC. “I have returned to the PDP; this broom will be burnt. Now I throw away this broom that should go away with all the bad things associated with it,” he said.
At Ughelli North LGA, Chief Osiobe and his followers dumped the APC for the PDP. Osiobe said: “I am here today to tell you that there’s no other party than the PDP. We are here to tell you that the PDP will win across board in 2023.”
Just on Saturday, February 18, former Secretary of the APC in Delta State and foundation member of the party, Nick Ovuakpore who renounced his membership of the APC openly during the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, received his PDP membership card from the party’s Chairman in Oyede Ward 12, Isoko North LGA, Mr. Joel Orute.
Receiving his PDP membership card, Mr. Ovuakpore promised to bring electoral value to the PDP, saying: “It is incumbent on me to deliver my Unit and Ward to the PDP. I am from Unit 005 of this Ward. The result from my Unit will prove my mettle. I assure you that I will win my Unit and Ward for the PDP in the coming elections.” He described the APC as crisis-ridden and that the party stands no chance at the polls.
The forgoing exposes the lie put up by the political jobbers in their reckless write-up.
The points of eulogies made to try to shore up the image value of the APC Delta State Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has long been deflated and flattened by several write-ups on him that abound in the public domain, that it will be superfluous to warrant repeat here. Except to state that Omo-Agege has no electoral value in the Gubernatorial contest, one being a loner and a soldier without troops. He is on his own, especially as it is said that a tree cannot make a forest.
Incidentally, Omo-Agege’s attack dogs have their focus on His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, who is already on a pedestal higher than Omo-Agege. The one that Omo-Agege has to contend with is the indomitable Delta State PDP Governorship candidate and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Oborevwori is a tested politician, and grassroots mobiliser; he is street-wise, a quality that Omo-Agege lacks, yet, one among many other qualities that endeared Oborevwori to the PDP family and Deltans in general. He is the man that Ovie Omo-Agege has to contend with.
So, all the fuss for which he is sponsoring hack writers to do against Dr. Okowa is all misplaced aggression. Governor Okowa has already gone past the position that the APC Governorship candidate seeks. Okowa has his eyes on a higher position.
Omo-Agege is therefore advised to face the consequences of his imminent defeat by the one that is already well-positioned to deliver to him that electoral uppercut. That person is Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Ukodo of the universe and Delta State PDP Governorship candidate in the forthcoming March 11th, 2023 election.
With the above, we in the PDP Campaign Council dismiss the silly, poor, and messy message in its headline as a shameless hoax.
VOTE FOR THE UMBRELLA!
VOTE PDP ALL THE WAY!!
PDP! Power to the people!!!
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza,
Deputy Director,
Media/Publicity Committee,
Delta PDP Campaign Council and State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.