👑neoOkpara

Debunking the Phantom Debts and Ecological Loan Fallacy My attention has been drawn to trending claims by the Anambra State Government that my administration left behind inherited debts, including a ₦2 billion ecological loan, contractor liabilities, and unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions. This is completely false. We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over ₦35 billion. At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified. The ₦2 billion ecological fund in question was released barely three months before the end of my tenure for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis. Despite pressure to spend the money, I refused, insisting that it should be left for my successor because government is a continuum and the funds were tied to a specific project. The money was therefore left 100 per cent intact in First Bank, in Account No. 2018779464, with a balance of over ₦2.13 billion. It is important to stress that funds tied to specific projects or set aside for particular purposes were not even included in the over ₦75 billion in savings we left behind. If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning. -PO

No Objection to Legitimate Scrutiny of My Certificates My attention has been drawn to reports circulating on social media concerning a legal action by an individual or group seeking Certified True Copies (CTCs) of my Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, awarded to me in 1984 by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as other academic records and credentials relating to my admission into the University. I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records. I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University. I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, particularly for those who seek the privilege of public office. Public scrutiny must, however, be fair, lawful, and applied consistently to everyone who seeks to lead our nation. As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record. I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country. Those who seek to lead must be willing to demonstrate, through both their words and actions, that they have nothing to conceal from the people they aspire to serve. In that same spirit, I encourage every presidential candidate to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for legitimate public scrutiny. Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them. Leadership must reflect the values we expect from the society we hope to build. If we desire a Nigeria founded on transparency, integrity, accountability, and respect for institutions, those values must begin with those who seek to lead it. I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Yesterday, I and my very dear brother, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed were in Kaduna to personally pay our condolences to a dear elder brother and Former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, and his family, on the death of their son, Faisal Makarfi. We prayed to God to console the family over such a sad occurrence and grant them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear the sad and irreplaceable loss. May Almighty Allah, who called Faisal home at this time, forgive his sins and grant him Aljanna Firdausi. May God continue to protect and bless the Makarfi family, always. From there, we visited one of the almajiri schools in the State, which I had been supporting, to see the progress they have so far made. Earlier in the year, when I first visited the school, I found out that they had very dilapidated infrastructure, no functional toilet system, and no source of water supply, which were very important to them. I then made a financial donation towards providing these critical facilities for the children. Arriving there today, I was happy to see that by my earlier support, their infrastructure has greatly improved, they now have a very decent toilet system with 2 functional boreholes. Being impressed with this achievement, I donated another N5 million to the school and assured them of my support in ensuring that the children continue to enjoy a better education, which is their currency for future opportunities in life. We remain committed to building a Nigeria that gives our children the right training and empowerment to access brighter opportunities in life. A New Nigeria remains POssible! -PO