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Tag: Peter Obi

  • Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over UTME Registration Crisis in Anambra, Urges Immediate JAMB Reforms!

    Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over UTME Registration Crisis in Anambra, Urges Immediate JAMB Reforms!

    Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa

    Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has decried what he described as widespread hardship faced by students during the ongoing registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Anambra State.

    In a public statement, Obi expressed concern over reports of technical disruptions, long queues, and limited access to accredited registration centres across parts of the state. He warned that the situation risks undermining equal access to tertiary education for thousands of candidates preparing for the 2026 entrance examinations.

    The UTME, conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is a prerequisite examination for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

    Concerns Over Access and Equity
    Obi stated that students in Anambra have reportedly endured extended waiting hours, transportation difficulties, and repeated attempts to complete biometric capture and online registration due to alleged system glitches and insufficient facilities.

    He described the experience as “traumatic and avoidable,” emphasising that education remains a critical pillar of national development and should not be encumbered by preventable administrative challenges.

    According to him, the difficulties disproportionately affect students from low-income households who may lack the resources to travel repeatedly to registration centres or access stable internet services.

    Call for JAMB Intervention
    Obi urged JAMB to urgently investigate the reported challenges and implement what he termed a “humane and equitable solution.” He called for expanded registration centres, improved technical infrastructure, and flexibility in registration timelines to ensure no eligible candidate is disenfranchised.

    While JAMB has consistently maintained that it deploys accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide to ensure smooth registration and examination processes, periodic reports of congestion and technical disruptions have surfaced in previous examination cycles, particularly during peak registration periods.

    As of press time, JAMB had not issued a specific response to Obi’s concerns regarding Anambra State. However, the board has, in the past, reassured candidates of its commitment to improving digital systems and widening access.

    Broader Implications
    Education stakeholders note that the UTME remains one of the most competitive examinations in Nigeria, with millions of candidates registering annually. Any disruption at the registration stage could have significant implications for academic progression and social mobility.

    Observers say Obi’s intervention reflects broader public anxiety over infrastructure readiness and digital capacity in Nigeria’s education sector. They argue that addressing these structural challenges requires sustained investment, transparency, and responsive public administration.

    As registration continues nationwide, attention now turns to how JAMB and relevant authorities will respond to the concerns raised in Anambra and whether systemic adjustments will be introduced to prevent further disruption.

    Sources
    The Punch
    Premium Times
    The Guardian Nigeria

  • Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over UTME Registration Crisis in Anambra, Urges Immediate JAMB Reforms!

    Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over UTME Registration Crisis in Anambra, Urges Immediate JAMB Reforms!

    Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa

    Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has decried what he described as widespread hardship faced by students during the ongoing registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Anambra State.

    In a public statement, Obi expressed concern over reports of technical disruptions, long queues, and limited access to accredited registration centres across parts of the state. He warned that the situation risks undermining equal access to tertiary education for thousands of candidates preparing for the 2026 entrance examinations.

    The UTME, conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is a prerequisite examination for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

    Concerns Over Access and Equity
    Obi stated that students in Anambra have reportedly endured extended waiting hours, transportation difficulties, and repeated attempts to complete biometric capture and online registration due to alleged system glitches and insufficient facilities.

    He described the experience as “traumatic and avoidable,” emphasising that education remains a critical pillar of national development and should not be encumbered by preventable administrative challenges.

    According to him, the difficulties disproportionately affect students from low-income households who may lack the resources to travel repeatedly to registration centres or access stable internet services.

    Call for JAMB Intervention
    Obi urged JAMB to urgently investigate the reported challenges and implement what he termed a “humane and equitable solution.” He called for expanded registration centres, improved technical infrastructure, and flexibility in registration timelines to ensure no eligible candidate is disenfranchised.

    While JAMB has consistently maintained that it deploys accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide to ensure smooth registration and examination processes, periodic reports of congestion and technical disruptions have surfaced in previous examination cycles, particularly during peak registration periods.

    As of press time, JAMB had not issued a specific response to Obi’s concerns regarding Anambra State. However, the board has, in the past, reassured candidates of its commitment to improving digital systems and widening access.

    Broader Implications
    Education stakeholders note that the UTME remains one of the most competitive examinations in Nigeria, with millions of candidates registering annually. Any disruption at the registration stage could have significant implications for academic progression and social mobility.

    Observers say Obi’s intervention reflects broader public anxiety over infrastructure readiness and digital capacity in Nigeria’s education sector. They argue that addressing these structural challenges requires sustained investment, transparency, and responsive public administration.

    As registration continues nationwide, attention now turns to how JAMB and relevant authorities will respond to the concerns raised in Anambra and whether systemic adjustments will be introduced to prevent further disruption.

    Sources
    The Punch
    Premium Times
    The Guardian Nigeria

  • Tear Gas in the Capital: Peter Obi Decries Crackdown on Peaceful Abuja Protest, Warns of Democratic Backsliding!

    Tear Gas in the Capital: Peter Obi Decries Crackdown on Peaceful Abuja Protest, Warns of Democratic Backsliding!

    Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan, Editor -in- chief | Sele Media Africa.

    Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly condemned the use of tear gas on peaceful protesters in Abuja, describing the incident as a troubling signal of Nigeria’s declining democratic standards and shrinking civic space.

    The protesters, drawn from civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates, had gathered to demand the automatic electronic transmission of polling unit results, a reform widely viewed as critical to strengthening transparency, credibility, and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. The demonstration was reportedly peaceful before security operatives dispersed the crowd with tear gas, prompting public outcry and renewed debate over the state of democratic freedoms in the country.

    Reacting to the incident, Obi said the suppression of non-violent civic action undermines constitutional rights and erodes confidence in democratic institutions. He warned that a democracy cannot thrive where citizens are punished for demanding accountability and electoral integrity. According to him, modern democracies are defined not only by periodic elections but by the protection of civil liberties, including the right to peaceful assembly and protest.

    Advocates for electoral reform argue that electronic transmission of results from polling units to a central server would significantly reduce manipulation, delays, and disputes that have historically plagued elections in Nigeria. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced technological innovations in recent electoral cycles, critics insist that stronger legal and operational guarantees are needed to ensure full transparency.

    Human rights groups and political observers have also raised concerns that the forceful dispersal of protesters reflects a broader pattern of intolerance toward dissent, particularly around governance and electoral issues. They caution that such actions risk damaging Nigeria’s democratic image at home and abroad, especially at a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile.

    The Abuja incident has reignited national conversations about electoral reform, policing of protests, and the responsibility of the state to safeguard democratic norms. As pressure mounts from political leaders, civil society, and citizens, analysts say the government’s response to these concerns will be a key test of its commitment to democratic accountability ahead of future elections.

    Sources:
    Premium Times
    The Guardian Nigeria
    Reuters

  • Tunde Ednut Reaffirms Support for Peter Obi Despite Allies’ Shift Toward Tinubu!

    Tunde Ednut Reaffirms Support for Peter Obi Despite Allies’ Shift Toward Tinubu!

    Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa

    Nigerian social media influencer and blogger Tunde Ednut has publicly reiterated his loyalty to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, even as he claims many of his associates have thrown their support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    In a candid social media post that has since sparked conversation across Nigeria’s digital political space, Ednut expressed mixed emotions about the shifting political loyalties within his circle but maintained that his personal stance remains unchanged.

    “All my men don go Tinubu side, I feel somehow inside of me, I feel pain somehow deep inside, but no wahala… Obidient, no shaking. Peter Obi till the end. We don’t back down,” he wrote.

    Political Undercurrents in Nigeria’s Online Space
    Ednut’s statement highlights the continuing resonance of the “Obidient” movement a grassroots political wave that gained prominence during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. Although the election cycle has passed, online political alignments among influencers and public figures remain a subject of active public debate.

    The blogger’s remarks appear to reflect broader realignments within Nigeria’s political conversation, particularly among youth-driven digital communities where endorsements by high-profile personalities can shape narratives and engagement.

    Mixed Reactions Trail Statement
    Social media reactions to Ednut’s declaration have been divided. While supporters of Obi praised his consistency, others viewed the comment as part of ongoing political positioning among influencers.

    Context and Verification
    As of press time, Ednut’s comments originate primarily from his verified social media platforms. Sele Media Africa notes that the statement reflects a personal political position and does not indicate any formal political alignment or campaign activity.

    Sources
    Verified social media posts by Tunde Ednut

    Monitoring of Nigeria’s digital political discourse by Sele Media Africa