Olamide Olopade

Do not Undermine Democracy I have received with shock the news of an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the emergence of the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and all the actions he has taken. This is unsettling and surprising. I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law. My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty. It is not good to have too many uncertainties about candidates and parties a few weeks before a presidential election. This instability is obviously engineered by the ruling party, just as they have done against me in the Labour Party and continue to do so to close down civic space for a robust campaign. It is also from the same rulebook that manufactures violence against us in our campaigns. One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders. I trust in the judiciary. As a public officer, I have shown deep respect for the judiciary. I appeal that we protect the integrity of democracy by not undermining the free and fair choice of candidates. The sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, in the midst of encroaching military rule in West Africa, should strengthen our resolve to protect opposition politics and not stamp out opposition parties. It is because of the importance of opposition to the sustenance of democracy that I have always promised that, as President, I will take a special interest in ensuring opposition parties are stable and thriving, and that opposition candidates are not persecuted out of electoral contests. This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

CROSS RIVER STATE: RESTORING TOURISM, REVIVING OUR PORTS AND LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE After my return from USA on Tuesday November 3rd evening, I held a meeting with Lagos State NDC candidates, and yesterday November 4th morning, I travelled to Calabar, Cross River State, in continuation of our series of town hall meetings and engagements across the country. In Calabar, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and I led our Cross River State NDC candidates, party members and other supporters on a courtesy visit to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar. At the palace of the respected traditional ruler, we informed him of our visit and the town hall meeting. He generously shared his words of wisdom with us and offered prayers and blessings. At the town hall meeting, we had our usual interactive session, where participants expressed their concerns and asked questions about our plans for the Calabar Port, the restoration of Cross River State to its former status as a leading tourism destination, security, the economy and the general welfare of Nigerians when we are elected. In my remarks, I assured them of the commitment of Senator Kwankwaso and me to uniting and securing the country and immediately embarking on aggressive investments in critical areas of development, particularly education and healthcare, while pulling our people out of poverty. I also assured the teeming crowd of participants and supporters that, under our stewardship, the Calabar Port would become fully operational, alongside other ports across the Niger Delta. On tourism, I recalled with nostalgia how Calabar, Obudu and other destinations in Cross River State used to be preferred tourism destinations for Nigerians and even foreigners. Today, due to poor governance and inadequate attention, the state has lost much of its tourism value. I committed to restoring Cross River State to its pride of place, starting with my personal commitment, when elected President, to spending my holidays at its tourism destinations. I encouraged our members and supporters to be prepared to defend their votes on Election Day, especially in the face of continued hostility from the government. My sincere gratitude goes to our teeming supporters, party members, candidates and well-wishers who attended the town hall meeting. I thank the organisers and the good people of Cross River State for the successful programme and their warm hospitality. A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK! -PO