His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, has called on Nigeria’s political leaders to place the nation’s interest above personal ambitions, warning that the country’s future is at risk due to rampant corruption.

Speaking at the public presentation of Bold Leap, a book written by Senator Chris Anyanwu, in Abuja, the Obi likened the country’s situation to a cow being continually milked without replenishment—saying the cow would eventually die if the corrupt practices continued.

He lamented the greed and lack of accountability within the political class, stressing that Nigeria’s progress could only be ensured if leaders prioritized the country’s welfare over personal and sectional interests.

“If we continue milking the cow, it will eventually die,” the Obi warned. “We’ve been talking about this issue for years, but now is the time for action. We have two choices: either we keep exploiting the country until it collapses or we choose to place Nigeria’s interest above everything else.”

He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that time was running out. “We have the opportunity to either accelerate the country’s decline or turn things around quickly,” he stated.

The event, which marked the launch of Senator Anyanwu’s autobiography, Bold Leap, was attended by numerous dignitaries, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as other political figures, traditional rulers, and captains of industry.

The book is divided into three parts, spanning 600 pages and 19 chapters.

President Bola Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo. Former Senate Presidents, former governors, and influential leaders, such as the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Peter Obi, also graced the occasion.

During a panel discussion on “How Do We Fix Nigeria: System, Structure, Institutions, and Leadership?”, former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, sharply criticized Nigeria’s current political system, describing it as “electoralism” rather than true democracy.

He argued that the system’s failures were compounded by a lack of national vision and a failure to forge a national consensus.

Fayemi stressed the need for a clear direction, saying, “Every nation that seeks development starts with a national vision. We need to ask ourselves: who are we? What do we want for Nigeria in 10, 20, or 50 years?”

Briggs, another panelist, echoed the call for political restructuring, pointing out flaws in the electoral process. She criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its failures, especially in ensuring voter participation and fair representation.

“INEC has let us down,” Briggs said. “When people have voter cards but cannot vote, they are not truly choosing their leaders. It’s a fundamental problem. If the people can’t select their leaders, then those in power owe them nothing.”

She also lamented the lack of genuine patriotism in the country, saying, “Patriotism isn’t just about singing the national anthem. It’s about what you do for your country and what your country does for you.”

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe joined the discussion, calling attention to the failure of Nigeria’s institutions.

He cited a recent case where a public official who embezzled N23.2 billion was lightly punished by the court, highlighting the weakness of the judicial system in holding corrupt individuals accountable.

“We can’t build strong institutions if we don’t have the right people in positions of power,” Abaribe remarked, criticizing the leniency shown to those guilty of corruption.

Dr. Aminu Gamana also addressed the need for a cultural shift, stressing that the country needed a fundamental reorientation in its values.

He warned that until Nigerians began to demand more from their leaders and actively participate in the political process, elections would remain a mere formality with little to no real change.

“We need to re-educate ourselves as a society. If this continues, people will keep voting for leaders who offer them small handouts like indomie and spaghetti, instead of those who truly care for their future,” Gamana said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the claims made by an alleged splinter group, Team New Nigeria (TNN), asserting that the individuals involved are not members of the party.

TNN announced on Sunday that its members were leaving the APC to form a new political party aimed at rescuing Nigeria from poverty, hunger, insecurity, and mismanagement.

The group’s National President, Modibbo Farakwai, declared at the inauguration of the Kano State harmonization committee that they were targeting at least 26 million voters nationwide.

Farakwai also emphasized that the formation of the “New Nigeria” party would provide a solution to misgovernance, selfish leadership, and corrupt political officeholders.

In response, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, expressed surprise over the development, stating that the members of the group were not recognized as card-carrying members of the APC.

Duru also remarked that the group’s name and its president were unfamiliar to him.

He noted that genuine members of the APC would be aware of the party’s internal mechanisms for resolving grievances, rather than resorting to forming a new political party.

“If they are truly members of the APC, they would understand that there is a constitutional process for addressing leadership concerns within the party,” Duru explained.

Duru further suggested that the group’s actions revealed they were either not party members or lacked an understanding of the APC’s constitution.

He urged the group to explore the proper channels within the party’s constitution before making such drastic moves.

When asked about the potential impact of this splinter group on President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, Duru laughed off the concern, saying, “They are welcome to try and defeat the APC in 2027. Variety is the spice of life. Those wishing to form coalitions or join other parties are free to do so, as long as they act within the bounds of the law.”

The Enugu State Government and WANDE NEXUS, an Austrian company, have formalized a $100 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) deal to enhance water infrastructure in Enugu City.

The agreement, signed on Monday at the Government House in Enugu, aims to implement the Sustainable Last Mile Connectivity and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project, which will improve water service delivery and ensure equitable access to clean water for all households.

Governor Peter Mbah, speaking at the ceremony in the presence of Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger, described the partnership as an excellent example of collaboration between sub-national and national governments.

He emphasized that the investment will address critical challenges in Enugu’s water system, particularly the downstream connections, which will now be connected to homes through the expansion of the water network.

Governor Mbah highlighted that the $100 million investment will directly improve the downstream sector of Enugu’s water supply and create lasting solutions to the problem of water access in the city.

“We have made significant strides in increasing water production, from just 2 million liters to 120 million liters per day. With this partnership, we aim to expand production capacity to 200 million liters per day,” he added.

He further explained that while the state government would continue to oversee the upstream sector, this new investment would focus on modernizing the network, including the procurement of meters and connectivity to households.

Mbah expressed confidence that the FDI would help bridge the gap in water access and improve the city’s infrastructure.

Ambassador Schlesinger commended the Governor for his commitment to transforming Enugu’s water sector and fostering international relations that attracted this major investment.

He also praised the leadership of Governor Mbah and the strong ties with Austria, noting that the $100 million investment was a testament to Mbah’s vision for Enugu’s future.

Dr. Ugochukwu Ugbor, Chairman of WANDE NEXUS, also expressed confidence in the project, citing the conducive investment environment in Enugu and the state’s improving ease of doing business.

He committed to delivering the project as planned, creating 500 direct jobs, and improving the health and economic prospects of the state.

Ugbor’s leadership, backed by over 20 years of experience in international organizations, was praised for his role in the project.

The Kano State House of Assembly has voted to reject the tax reform bills currently being reviewed by the National Assembly.

The decision was made during a plenary session on Monday, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Ismail Jibrin Falgore.

Lawan Husseini, the Majority Leader and representative of Dala Constituency, introduced a motion calling for northern lawmakers and the conference of speakers to prevent the passage of the bills.

He argued that the proposed reforms would not be beneficial to the northern region, accusing them of being part of a “deliberate plan to harm the economy” and exacerbate hardship in the north.

Husseini raised concerns about the proposed VAT allocation, suggesting that states like Lagos, home to many major corporations, would receive the largest share, further disadvantaging northern states that are already struggling with economic challenges like low revenue and rising poverty.

Supporting the motion, Salisu Mohammed of Doguwa Constituency urged the Senate to focus on pressing issues such as insecurity and unemployment, rather than rushing the tax reform.

Murtala Kadage from Garko Constituency also emphasized the need for unity among northern lawmakers to prevent the bill’s passage.

Following extensive discussion, the House called on northern members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the conference of speakers to act decisively to stop the bill.