Category: Nigerian Tribune

A pro-Tinubu support group, Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria (RHGN), says it is finalising plans to meet with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to appeal to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Deputy National Leader (Southeast) of RHGN, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Owerri at the weekend.

Ngoforo said the engagement with Obi and the wider Igbo political establishment would commence in the coming days.

He said the group’s immediate objective was to secure victory for Tinubu across all polling units in the five South-East states, arguing that Obi’s withdrawal could form part of a broader political strategy for the region.

According to him, stepping down from the 2027 presidential contest would not amount to the end of Obi’s political ambition, noting that the former Anambra State governor was still young enough to pursue the presidency at another time under circumstances he said could be more favourable to the Southeast.

Ngoforo said the proposal was based on a long-term political strategy aimed at securing Tinubu’s support in the Southeast, strengthening relations between the region, the Southwest and the North, and positioning the Southeast for a stronger claim to the presidency when power next returns to the South.

He said RHGN was perfecting plans to approach the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership under Senator John Azuta Mbata, as well as elder statesmen, including Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, and other influential Igbo leaders to lead a delegation to Obi and persuade him to step down for Tinubu.

Ngoforo stressed that the proposed intervention was not aimed at diminishing Obi’s political stature but at persuading him to place what he described as the long-term strategic interests of Ndigbo above the immediate pursuit of the presidency.

He said Obi should examine the 2027 contest beyond personal ambition and consider whether a broader political bargain could place the Southeast in a stronger position to secure the presidency in the nearest future.

The RHGN leader also cited the internal crisis within the NDC as another reason Obi should reconsider his presidential bid.

He pointed to disputes surrounding the processes through which candidates were selected across constituencies in the Southeast, arguing that the controversy had weakened the party’s political structure.

He said, ‘The controversy had generated deep discontent within the party and totally weakened the political structure that Obi would ordinarily depend upon for a presidential campaign.

‘In my assessment, a presidential ambition is only as strong as the political machinery behind it, and the fragmentation of what once appeared to be a strong support structure raises serious questions about the viability of another presidential bid under the present circumstances.

‘RHGN believes Obi should therefore consider whether continuing the contest from a weakened opposition platform represents the best use of his considerable political capital.’

Ngoforo further said RHGN’s consultations with political leaders in Northern Nigeria had reinforced its belief that Obi’s reported commitment to serving only one term would not be sufficient to secure northern support for his presidential ambition.

He argued that presidential politics could not be reduced to a promise of a four-year tenure, saying political interests were driven by calculations around power, succession and political security.

‘The politics of presidential succession cannot be reduced to a promise of a four-year tenure. Northern political interests, like those of every other geopolitical zone, are likely to be driven by realistic calculations about power, succession and political security.

‘RHGN’s argument is that Igbo political strategy must recognise this fact instead of assuming that a one-term pledge would automatically unlock northern support for an Obi presidency,’ he said.

According to Ngoforo, the Southeast should also consider the potential benefits of building a strategic political relationship with the Southwest.

He noted that the South-South had produced former President Goodluck Jonathan, while the Southwest had produced former President Olusegun Obasanjo and currently occupies the presidency through Tinubu.

He argued that since Tinubu would be constitutionally limited to the current electoral cycle if re-elected, the Southeast should consider supporting him now while building a political alliance capable of yielding benefits when power next returns to the region.

Ngoforo said, ‘Rather than viewing 2027 solely as a contest to be won or lost, Ndigbo should view it as an opportunity to accumulate political goodwill and establish reciprocal obligations with other regions.

‘The strategic logic is straightforward: Nigeria’s presidency cannot be secured by any geopolitical zone acting entirely alone. The Southeast may possess a compelling historical and political case for producing the next president from the region, but converting that aspiration into electoral reality requires alliances outside the region.

‘I believe that supporting Tinubu’s second-term bid could create a political debt that becomes useful when the Southeast eventually makes its own claim. The objective should be to ‘be in their debt, so that they owe in reciprocity’.

‘For RHGN, political power is not merely about immediate votes; it is also about relationships, alliances, trust and the capacity to mobilise support across regional boundaries.’

He also cited what he described as policy convergence between Obi and the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy.

Ngoforo described the subsidy removal as one of the most politically difficult economic decisions taken by the Federal Government.

He argued that if Obi agreed with the fundamental direction of major policies being implemented by the Tinubu administration, there was little justification, in RHGN’s view, for seeking to displace the government over policies with which he substantially agreed.

‘RHGN therefore sees the apparent convergence not as a reason for political rivalry but as an opening for dialogue, cooperation and a possible realignment of political forces around what it considers the broader national interest,’ he said.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly removing candidates nominated by the party for the 2027 general elections and replacing them with individuals it described as ‘strange names’ unknown to the party.

The NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, made the allegation while reacting to the list of candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections published by INEC on Sunday.

Zuwoghe said the development was a deliberate attempt to undermine the party ahead of the 2027 elections and create confusion and dissatisfaction among its supporters.

According to him, the alleged irregularities were particularly pronounced in Anambra State, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, where he claimed 10 names were published by INEC as NDC candidates without the party’s authorisation.

‘The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, totally condemns the action of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials over the uploading and publication of unauthorized names in various constituencies, principally in the Anambra State House of Assembly,’ he said.

He listed the affected constituencies and names as Onitsha South 1 – Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa; Onitsha South 2 – Akpotue Obinna Chibuike; Orumba North – Nwankwo Chiemerie; Anaocha 1 – Maduagwu Eric K; Idemili North – Ngoebisi Obinna; Njikoka 1 – Isintume Charles; Nnewi South – Nwachukwu Nonso; Nnewi South 2 – Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne; Ayamelum – Nnonyelu Samson E.; and Dunukofia – Azotani Chuks Francis.

The NDC chairman said none of the listed individuals emerged from the party’s nomination process, insisting that the party did not submit their names to INEC.

‘For clarity purposes, I, as Chairman of the Party and custodian of the code given to the NDC for the upload of our candidates, never uploaded those names, and I unequivocally state that the party did not also upload those nine names,’ Zuwoghe said.

He explained that following the conclusion of the party’s primaries and appeal process, stakeholders from Anambra, working with the party leadership, representatives of Peter Obi and the appeals panel, produced and endorsed a final list of candidates.

According to him, the NDC subsequently uploaded the list through the code provided by INEC, but alleged that INEC officials responsible for the backend of the portal kept nine of the names on ‘Pending’ status.

Zuwoghe said INEC officials allegedly claimed that the names were already in the commission’s system and had been submitted by officials who monitored the NDC primaries.

He added that despite the party’s formal objection to the names and submission of the candidates it said were legitimately nominated, INEC allegedly proceeded to publish the disputed names.

The NDC chairman further alleged that INEC bypassed the party by obtaining Form EC-9 directly from the disputed candidates and uploading the forms on its portal.

‘To further confirm that there was a predetermined effort on the part of INEC to impose the said nine candidates on the party, and embarrass both NDC and Mr. Peter Obi, INEC went behind the NDC to collect the Form EC-9 directly from the candidates, bypassing the party, and uploading same,’ he alleged.

He described the action as unacceptable and contrary to the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines, arguing that where the commission had concerns about the authenticity of candidates submitted by a political party, it should have engaged the party rather than allegedly substituting candidates.

‘At the very worst, INEC could have left us with no candidates for those positions, if they knew they were unwilling to engage us in addressing any perceived anomaly,’ he said.

The NDC alleged that similar incidents had occurred in other parts of the country, including Benue and Imo states, and called for a comprehensive investigation into the publication of its candidates nationwide.

‘We call on the INEC Chairman to urgently and immediately cause an investigation into the matter and unravel how this came to be,’ the statement said.

The party also disclosed that it had commenced its own investigation into the alleged discrepancies, saying its preliminary findings pointed to alleged complicity by some INEC officials.

Zuwoghe accused the electoral commission of using the candidate-uploading process to allegedly blackmail and intimidate opposition parties and create internal divisions.

He said the NDC would pursue the matter ‘to the very end,’ including approaching a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the disputed nominations and seek the restoration of its authentic candidates.

The party chairman urged the public and NDC supporters to disregard the disputed names, stressing that the individuals published by INEC in the affected constituencies were not candidates nominated by the NDC.

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has disclosed that the state investigated about 39,000 suspected diphtheria cases between December 2022 and August 2026, with about 32,000 cases confirmed positive and 1,800 deaths recorded.

The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, disclosed this while speaking with journalists, attributing the high incidence among children largely to inadequate immunisation, particularly among zero-dose children.

Prof. Abbas said more than 55 per cent of the confirmed cases involved children who had received no vaccination.

He further disclosed that more than 27 local government areas of the state had recorded diphtheria cases, although he said the situation was largely under control due to strengthened surveillance and response mechanisms.

According to him, the state government has provided drugs and other medical consumables to support the treatment of patients, while reactive vaccination campaigns are being conducted in communities and schools whenever cases are detected.

He also raised concerns over injuries allegedly associated with traditional barbering practices, saying such injuries could contribute to the vulnerability of children to infections.

The KNCDC boss urged parents and guardians to ensure that children receive routine vaccinations, stressing the importance of immunisation in preventing diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

On cholera, Prof. Abbas said the state had identified 227 suspected cases, with laboratory tests confirming six current cases.

He urged residents to promptly report suspected cases to the nearest healthcare facility, stressing that early detection and treatment remained critical to preventing deaths and further transmission.

Prof. Abbas commended the Kano State House of Assembly, traditional institutions and community-based surveillance networks for their cooperation in disease detection and response.

He called for sustained collaboration between communities and health authorities to ensure that suspected cases are reported and investigated promptly

On the reported deaths in Rano Local Government Area, the KNCDC said investigations were ongoing, with health officials deployed to the area to gather further information and establish the actual number of cases and causes of death.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has constituted a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response following reports of diphtheria cases and deaths in some local government areas, with particular concern over the situation in Rano.

The committee, chaired by Prof. Abbas, is expected to strengthen and coordinate ongoing response efforts, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the outbreak and take immediate measures to prevent further spread of the disease to neighbouring local government areas.

Members of the committee include the Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim; Executive Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur M. Nagoda; Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB, Dr. Tijjani Habibu; Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Umar; and State Epidemiologist, KNCDC, Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu.

Representatives of the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils are also members, while Hussaini Rufai of the Monitoring and Evaluation unit of KNCDC serves as secretary.

The committee has been mandated to verify reported diphtheria cases and deaths across affected LGAs, strengthen disease surveillance systems and ensure daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers.

It will also establish a centralised data registry for tracking suspected and confirmed cases, identify immunisation gaps through intensified community mobilisation and sensitisation, and ensure the availability and timely supply of essential medical commodities to designated treatment centres.

The committee will further work closely with health personnel in affected local government areas to improve coordination, facilitate rapid information sharing, promote early detection and ensure effective management of the outbreak.

The state government urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with health authorities by promptly reporting suspected cases and supporting ongoing public health interventions.

The government assured residents that it remained committed to protecting their health and would continue to take necessary measures to contain the outbreak and prevent its further spread across the state.

With just one day to the l Summit of Nigeria’s Opposition Political Parties, the G100 has called on all opposition parties, their leaders, candidates and members to approach Monday’s gathering with one fundamental understanding: ‘we are stronger together than we are apart.’

In a statement signed by its convener, Salihu Moh. Lukman, the G100 said the summit scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.

‘Tomorrow’s Summit comes at an important moment for Nigeria’s democracy. Across the country, millions of Nigerians are looking to the opposition not merely to criticise the government of the day, but to demonstrate the maturity, discipline and sense of national purpose required to offer a credible alternative,’ the statement said.

Lukman noted that cooperation does not require parties to surrender their identities or ambitions, but to recognize national interest above partisan differences.

‘The G100 recognises that every political party has its own history, identity, ambitions and legitimate interests. Cooperation does not require any party to surrender these. Nor does it require political leaders to abandon their aspirations. It simply requires the wisdom to recognise that there are moments when what unites us must become more important than what separates us,’ he said.

The G100 warned that a fragmented opposition only strengthens incumbents.

‘The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent. When parties competing for the same broad constituency fragment their energies, resources and votes, they risk turning their differences into an unintended advantage for those they seek to replace,’ the statement said.

‘Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy,’ the Group added.

The group said the summit provides an opportunity to build practical mechanisms for dialogue and coordination while respecting the structures of participating parties.

‘Tomorrow’s Summit provides an opportunity to begin building practical mechanisms for dialogue, coordination and cooperation, while respecting the identities and structures of participating parties,’ it stated.

‘The G100 therefore appeals to every participating party and leader to come to the table in good faith, with an open mind and with the larger interests of Nigeria at heart.’

Acknowledging that disagreements are inevitable, Lukman urged leaders not to allow differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative.

‘There will be disagreements, competing ambitions and difficult conversations. These are natural in politics. But none should prevent us from recognising the greater danger of allowing our differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative,’ he said.

‘Tomorrow is not about declaring winners or losers within the opposition. It is about beginning the work of ensuring that Nigerian democracy wins.

‘Alone, each opposition party can make its case. Together, the opposition can change the course of the country.’

The G100 urged leaders to remember the millions of Nigerians expecting more from the opposition.

‘As we gather tomorrow at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the G100 urges every opposition leader to remember the millions of Nigerians whose hopes extend beyond the fortunes of any single party or politician,’ the statement said.

‘History has presented the opposition with an opportunity. We must be wise enough not to waste it.’

Nigerian gospel music minister, Esther Igbekele, popularly known as the ‘Duchess of Gospel Music’, is set to bury her mother, Madam Mary Amope Igbekele, on October 2, in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Madam Igbekele, who died on August 14, at the age of 71 following a brief illness, will be laid to rest at her residence in Ikorodu, where the funeral rites will be held at CAC Faithful Foundation Assembly.

The burial announcement comes as the family prepares to honour the memory of their beloved matriarch, whose death has left a deep void in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other loved ones.

Esther, who announced her mother’s passing on her social media page, expressed her grief in an emotional tribute that captured the depth of her loss.

Mourning the woman she described as a precious treasure in her life, the gospel artiste wrote: ‘And my mother died, death you took my gold away.’

The emotional words reflected Esther’s profound attachment to her mother and the pain of losing someone who had been a major source of love, encouragement and spiritual support.

According to Esther, her late mother was a prayer warrior, a description that underscores the important role faith played in her life and family. Her devotion to prayer and commitment to her family reportedly made her a source of spiritual strength and inspiration to those around her.

The funeral programme will begin on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with a Wake Keep and Artists’ Night, bringing together family members, friends, church members, gospel musicians and other well-wishers to celebrate the life and legacy of the deceased.

The Artists’ Night is expected to provide an opportunity for gospel music colleagues and friends of Esther to rally around her and the Igbekele family through music, prayers and tributes while honouring the memory of Madam Mary Amope Igbekele.

The following day, Friday, October 2, will be the main burial ceremony at CAC Faithful Foundation Assembly, Ikorodu, where relatives, church leaders, colleagues and sympathisers are expected to gather to bid her a final farewell.

Madam Igbekele’s life spanned several generations. She was survived by her family in the cherished roles of sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, leaving behind a family legacy that extends across generations.

For Esther, the loss is particularly personal, coming from the departure of a mother whose presence and prayers had remained an important part of her journey in gospel music and ministry.

While mourning her passing, the family is expected to use the funeral ceremonies to celebrate her life, faith, values and the memories she created with those who knew and loved her.

As the date draws near, members of the gospel music community and Esther’s admirers are expected to join the Igbekele family in paying their final respects to Madam Mary Amope Igbekele, whose life was remembered for her devotion to God, love for her family and commitment to prayer.

No fewer than 21 suspected terrorists have been neutralised by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the Kopre Mountain area of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, with several others wounded.

This was disclosed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to the statement, ‘The operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team and newly inducted troops of 226 Battalion deployed to Sector 4, Adamawa State.’

‘The troops acted on credible intelligence before making a stealth insertion into the mountainous terrain and launching a precision strike on the camp.’

The statement further said the troops engaged the suspected terrorists in two separate encounters before gaining control of the area, dismantling the camp and destroying associated logistics infrastructure.

Several motorcycles, bicycles and jerrycans containing Premium Motor Spirit, which the military said were believed to have been used for terrorist logistics and mobility, were also destroyed.

The troops also recovered several AK-47 rifles, magazines and a substantial quantity of 7.62mm Special ammunition during the operation.

Goni said the troops demonstrated their ability to conduct intelligence-led operations in difficult terrain and disrupt terrorist logistics and freedom of movement.

He noted that the troops were intensifying efforts to locate and rescue persons abducted by terrorist elements.

While assuring residents that efforts would continue until all abducted persons were located and rescued and lasting peace and security restored across the North-East region, he said Operation HADIN KAI would continue its operations aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds.

The race for honours at the 18th Headies Awards has intensified following the release of nominees for the 2026 edition, with some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars set to battle across several competitive categories.

Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake and Rema are among the leading names on the nomination list unveiled by the organisers on Tuesday.

The ceremony is scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, under the theme, ‘Africa to the World’.

The nominations recognise music released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, with 213 nominations spread across 35 categories.

Fola emerged as the biggest individual nominee with 10 nominations, while Omah Lay followed with eight. Mavo and Wizkid secured seven nominations each, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive awards season.

Wizkid is in contention in major categories, including Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Afrobeats Album of the Year and Song of the Year. His album, Morayo, is also nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year.

Davido also features prominently, with his album 5ive nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year. His collaboration with Omah Lay, With You, earned nominations in Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Headies Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice.

Adekunle Gold joins the heavyweight contenders with Fuji nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year. He is also nominated for Best Male Artiste and Best Performer (Live) for his performance at the National Theatre in Lagos.

Among the female stars, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead with five nominations apiece. Ayra Starr is also in contention for Best Female Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year and Best Performer (Live).

The Next Rated category is equally expected to attract significant attention, with Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday competing for the coveted prize. The category has traditionally served as a major platform for identifying the next generation of Nigerian music stars.

The organisers have also announced special honours, with veteran Congolese singer, Awilo Longomba, set to receive the Headies Hall of Fame Award, while Nigerian entertainment executive, Cecil Hammond, will receive the Special Recognition Award for his contributions to African entertainment.

With established superstars, rising acts and a new crop of contenders spread across the categories, attention will now shift to the October ceremony in Toronto, where the nominees will battle for one of Africa’s most recognised music honours.

The corps members were kidnapped recently along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State while returning from their three-week orientation exercise.

According to Daily Trust, the family member of one of the abducted corps members said the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded N20 million for the victim’s release.

‘One of our daughters who was kidnapped on her way from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing three weeks orientation camp. The kidnappers are requesting N20 million naira,’ the source said.

The ransom demand comes amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to rescue those who remain in captivity after the attack.

The Kogi State Police Command had confirmed that passengers, including NYSC members, were abducted along the route.

According to the police, 11 victims, including the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the incident, were rescued during a joint operation by security personnel. The command, however, said efforts were continuing to locate and rescue those still being held by the gunmen.

The development has heightened concerns among the families of the remaining victims, with relatives calling on the Federal Government, the NYSC and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their safe release.

Some three years ago, we came into governance with our own blueprints. And we defined and identified projects we deemed fit for the good people of the state. So, we came out to have them executed. Much has been done. Thank you so much for going out to the field to see what we have been able to achieve. And as much as much is done, I know that so much is still left to be done. The fact here is that the moment we came in, we had declared a state of emergency on our road infrastructure. This is why, if you go around the 23 local governments, there has been a very good connectivity of road networks now in most parts of the state. In a number of our urban places, we are doing urban renewal roads. And all the interior within some major townships here have also been converted into the newness of what they are today. We have done a lot in the reformation and revamping of our primary schools. They were in the ICU (intensive care unit) when we assumed office. Local government primary schools were no longer being attended to. So, we were able to give some priority attention just to revamp hundreds of primary schools and local governments back to life. We were able to hire 9,700 teachers just for the primary schools. And then, we also went statewide to take care of the primary health institution.

Before now, life was literally running out of the tertiary healthcare teaching hospital. And it is fixed now to the point that we are having medical tourists coming from all the surrounding states here. We are very grateful for that. We also have a VIP wing of it and, in fact, this is one of the units that is most attended by those who come from outside of the state. I think it is simply due to the fact that we have a number of specialists to cover those areas. Now, we have to get back to the basics, the primary healthcare establishment. They had vanished for some reasons because no attention was given. Now, hundreds of our primary healthcare establishments have been brought back to life and we intend to do that. As I speak here now, we are expecting some consignment to come in from the United States. We have been in some collaboration and partnership with some U.S. subnational governments on health. So, we ordered some instruments that will be coming. These are meant to be delivered to the primary healthcare in different local governments. Why did we have to do this? When you say you will, I think the willpower should also be accompanied. And when you tell the people this is what will make or promote them, I feel something has to be done about that. And we had monitored very closely the words we had given the people. We had to inspect what we were expecting out there. So, the results you see out there now is the inspection we had done to ensure that a blueprint was made, promises were made to people.

We received adequate funds from even the federal government as well and that gained a lot of support from us. We had a hiccup, and the hiccup being the insecurity and insurgencies. But again, thank God that the federal government immediately swung into action and we have relative peace in this state. How do we get the indices? It is through our security apparatuses who are out there in all the local governments, the traditional institutions, and our own very people, the citizenry of the state who are there. We had a chunk of the IDPs (Internally Displaced People). Fifteen IDP camps were set up around the state. Now, we have a few IDP camps. We are just already making some plans to close down some because the IDP occupants have very directly and voluntarily gone back to do their farming. By the durable solution we have made with the collaboration and the partnership of the international community, the United Nations, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UNHCR, we truly appreciate the efforts and their support. We made efforts to ensure that the IDPs are returned to their homelands and back to their farms. It is not just for them to go back to farm and then come back again. You continue to see a dwindling number from the IDP camps and this is because they are out there, not just farming, but now constructing their own homes back.

So, we remain very grateful to the federal government that has made us to be able to execute quite a number of projects here. And I think it is the only way to go for people to experience dividends of this democracy. They have to feel, see and know that, yes, we wanted this, it is done, and we are using it and we are applying it. We intend to continue with that.

What are you doing differently to make sure that the next step of projects – the ones you are resuscitating and the ones you are starting today – do not suffer the same fate of abandonment after your second tenure ends?

Thank you so much. It is a very tricky question. Trying to answer it expressly, we need to touch on the inefficiencies of certain leadership. And there has to be a direction. There has to be a mission and there has to be a vision. Benue State is 50 years old this day. And in the 50 years, we’ve had a series of leadership that came in and out. As a state, do we have a development plan, a master development plan? The answer is no, we didn’t. So, when people came in, they made some inroads on what they thought were meant for the people. But again, this is what the blueprint is expected to be. You do a filtering from the people you are going to serve. What are your needs, your priority needs? Do you really want this? Do you really have this as a need? Want is different from a need. So, when you do not do a filtering, the tendency of you just simply doing the want of the people, it is there. We had to go down to the trenches to ensure that this is what the market woman is needing at this particular time. This is what the farmers are desiring. And this is what everybody in the state truly seeks to have to take us from the so-called glorified village status to the proper status of a city, where we have headquarters and then improve our other townships and all that. So, this is directly from the people. And on a number of the other projects we have done, there is some caveat to enable it to stay sustained. And if people say the government does not have business being in business. If government does not have those whose minds are hung on business, then every little effort made, you know, it is going down the drain.

We have established the Benue Food Basket Brewery. We had one before. If you make statistics from the people to know why we had more beer brewery here previously during Aper Aku, it was simply because people desired it. If through that means, a lot of capital flight is being made against us, the state, and those who are supposed to be enjoying same, you would experience some problems like that. It is not that we have people who love to drink so much. It is food. People love it. We make it from local produce, from the sorghum we produce, from the cassava we produce, and from the corn we make. So, if we are producing this, why are we not converting it so that we all have the ripple effect of the value chain? So, this is being made. And there are a number of things that are put in place to ensure that the Zeeva factory survives. We also have a separate factory for the juice, the concentrate factory. All those three factories made in the last three years are functional and they are meant to remain as such because we continue to monitor. We have the right people to ensure that things work. Now, we are also getting some partnership from the civil society out there who want to have these. Now, in the last one year, a bag of orange has risen from 3,50ra to 17,500 naira. So, there is a lot of competition on that. The farmers are also going to enjoy. We have already registered all the site rooms and those who have their orchards. Different frames of farms are being registered under cooperatives. They know that this is the source of where the funds are coming for them. One, this is to pay their farms. Two, it is to expand the farms and then to keep smiling to the bank. So, there is a full assurance of what they do today to sustain tomorrow.

It is quite unfortunate that we had lost the Taraku Mill. It is one of the very huge components to drive the economy here in the state. That arm of commerce had died because people felt it was just a common cake. Get your knife, cut a chunk, and then you leave. But at the end of the day, everybody lost in the state. Benue State was the number one producer of soya beans here, nationwide. So, we are now trying to work our way back to the front line again. And what is that going to do to the farmers? They understand that the Taraku Mill, to come back, it is going to be a market sustenance on the produce they are doing on the farm. Already, we have started giving farm incentives. We are giving some money to non-farmers, to very big farmers, to go and then get back onto the soybean farming. We are already giving farm inputs to those who have identified themselves. Some data was already taken. So, if some good guard we have in place now would be sustained as we have designed and planned, I want to believe that we are going to even raise more companies here.

Once cottage industries are in place here, a number of lives are going to be changed. We are even planning to have a Benue Farm Market in Abuja. The road is now express. We used to do five and a half hours from here to Abuja. Now it is even shortened. It takes under three hours for us to get to Abuja. So, what stops us from bringing the Benue fresh farms, oranges, yams, you name them, over there? Except if you do not plant, you harvest on this land. So, these are the advantages we have. And if people are making money consistently from their produce, we are going to remain on the path we have now taken. So, we did not just bring back to life the Taraku Mill, it is just one factory that we have resurrected. But all the other new ones are also going to be sustained. And I am very hopeful that as people get some more money and smile to the bank, they are also going to ensure that they will keep coming back to us.

A former military governor of the state described Makurdi as a very big village. Today, Makurdi’s status is changing to that of a big city. We saw high-level interchange in Makurdi and Gboko and the Oju-Awaji Road. How have you been able to put this in place? What are the plans to expand with the hope that the people of Benue State will renew your mandate?

Development is a consistent thing that must happen in our lives, like it or not. So, I know we are still going to stay on that path. Benue at 50, we began a 30-year master plan to ensure that even after power is changed, the same developmental dynamics are still kept. Same vision is being shared and same mission is being embarked upon through this developmental plan.

So, I want to believe that if people continue to hold us and those who come after me accountable for the results to be given. So, I want to believe that it is only one new trend to keep on. These are people-driven projects. Gboko Underpass, for instance, you could just count the number of houses further down towards the Northwest where you stood to see it. I was there and I witnessed how people were being crushed by trucks and trailers in the morning. Poor women who were selling, preparing breakfast, selling their daily bread, pushing their wheelbarrows to cross the road. So, the memories were still on my psyche. And that is the only thing to do to help them and minimise accidents. That part of the road and part of Gboko had experienced that from many years back. And even recently, shortly before we got into the stage of governance, I know two Okada people who had lost their lives. I am a patron of Okada. So, I understand what they do and where they are. So, we had to do this road. And to all the other ones we have done, these are people-driven projects and they are made not just for the fun of the day, but they are fundamentally made.

The roads we are doing are very different from the roads done previously and in a number of places elsewhere. The roads we are constructing are stone-based roads that have a guarantee of over 30 years. This traction to the road projects is not only in town but also in different parts of our suburbs. We do this so that as we begin to build the master developmental plan of the state, if we consider roads, it is going to be not as heavy as it would have been. We have taken care of the primary healthcare. We have already embarked on the secondary tier of the health system. If those are done and subsequent administrations come, they will have less concentration on them because they are fundamentally and diligently done in a manner that durability is guaranteed and is visibly also felt.

The projects we have seen indicate that you have a very good vision of development for your people. But you will agree with me that Nigeria embarked on the sale, privatisation, and commercialisation of its industries many decades ago. But here in Benue, you are going into the revival of economic ventures like the Taraku Mills and Brewery. Under what financial and economic arrangements are you embarking on this? Is the state going directly to use public funds to revive them? Or are you partnering with some private companies? What methods are you going to use to ensure that these projects work well for the Benue people?

I am going into certain partnerships. In fact, this afternoon, we were about to sign something, but the point man who is supposed to do this had another function. So, we had to wait for the signing on some projects on food security.

This is going to be an agricultural zone in Oturkpo axis where much land has been given to these people. We have done our part by giving the land. We are taking care by constructing the road to this space. And then they bring in their own facilities also to put this. We share in the residues that are going to come from here. So, I think it is one quick way to do this. Let us not be deceived.

I think what we know these days is superior to what people knew and were practising yesteryears. It simply means that for us to get more mileage on the produce we make on our farm, for us to be able to expand our farms, for us to be able to create more economy from the drive we do on those farms and different forms of commerce, we have to be mindful of the value chain in between. So, anything short of that would never work. People want this. People have a desire for it. They go back to their farms. They are now expanding their farms because of the support we give them. We just distributed over 11 trucks of fertilisers from the federal government. We did ours some two months back at the level of the state to our own farmers. And when we do this, it is at a subsidised rate. So, why are we doing this? To ensure that there is continuity on their own farm. And then, we want them to expand those farms. The gains they make from here, they do not just carry the raw materials straight to the buyers’ hands. And this is why the establishment or the revival of the Taraku Mill is being done. Already, people are coming to the table to partner on this. If the state never uses our public funds to revive the Taraku Mill, it would only be the part that cooks the rice but never eats the rice. So, we want a share in what we spend our money in establishing. As we bring it back to life, those that are being attracted, the fat companies that want to come in and join us on this, have already their documents on the table for us. So, we have been going through three, four separate companies to see how they can come in to partner with us. I think it is one quick way that our farmers are going to have their full value chain.

We have travelled with Mr President to France. And one French businessman who is conversant with some part of Nigeria was asking why Benue State has so much soybeans. But we are not exporting our soybeans. So, the simple answer I had given after a presentation I made was that what we need is for us to be able to use every part of this soybean back home. They can come to us with their own factories and every other form of partnership they want to do rather than us trying to struggle with this soybean and take it over there. The value chain remains very limited. So, we want it at full scale.

In response to a question earlier, you mentioned insecurity as a hiccup and thanked the federal government for quickly coming to the rescue. In response to another question, you mentioned inefficiency at some level. What is the hardest part of governing a state like Benue that people outside this Government House don’t really see? Is it vast geographical space, politics of indigenship or something else? What keeps you awake at night?

A number of things keep me awake. For those who were in Benue, say, five years back, you knew what it looked like. And by coming back now, you can tell what it is. Because there is a political will. Benue is large quite alright – 23 local governments with large land mass and population of about 7 million. It is large. But again, what modus operandi was being exhibited and executed by leadership previously? I believe that you cannot keep doing one thing all the time and expect a different result. So, we had a need to bring in reforms. And when you bring in reforms, where there is so much drought of funds, drought of ideas, and drought of implemented projects on the ground, you really have to sweat. And you sweat badly. The reforms we have brought to bear are the ones that are giving us results. But then reforms present a pushback from those who had enjoyed just a normal same old status quo. Don’t do this. It was not here. But we still live and exist. So, would the earth stop going round if we do them? So, the answer is no, but status quo now becomes a problem. Is it roads that we eat? No, it is not roads that you eat, but at the same time intrinsically you enjoy the roads and you eat the roads because they have gone through your farms, they have gone through the market square and then from the produce on the farm, they are coming back to the buyer in the town or in some suburb area.

So, it means you are still eating the roads, but at the same time, a 5-year-old boy that doesn’t have anything to show for can be a problematic child. So, he has to augment himself. We are augmenting the state in the manner that people have already started enjoying the reforms that are here. Parents are enjoying not paying any school fees to their children from Basic One to Basic Nine because we are using their own money given under the custody of government leadership to take care of this. In other words, pinching the pain to ensure that we do this thing. We are taking care of the primary health system now. If you have malaria, you don’t have to leave my village to come all the way to Makurdi to spend three and a half hours to treat malaria here. With the clinic, hospital, and General Hospital we have, we have the primary and the second tier, which is the General Hospital by the same axis. That takes care of a number of things. It is the same thing with the primary school. Initially, there was some kind of resistance. If you go back to history, reforms bring resistance. I think it is part of what the federal government might be suffering from. So much is done. I just made a pronouncement here that with much money the federal government is giving us, thank God, you have seen that this money is being translated into those projects, Otobi Water Works, series of roads and underpass you have seen, schools, hospitals. And I think it is the only way to go. There has to be a direction. Part of your question is calling for an immediate establishment of masterplan on our development because each administration that comes in now takes a look at it and picks what to take care of. He can pick one to four. Then, we are moving forward. This is how Lagos also began. This is why I was highly enthused about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu becoming the president. I knew what he went through. I knew how the city was. And in the last 25 years, the masterplan that was made has been religiously executed. So, if we have similar thing, and this is a trend we have actually taken. But reforms have to be brought in so that the newness of what we seek is being established. As we continue to do this, it is going to be very helpful. Since we came in, we have never ceased paying salaries. In the last three years and counting now, we have never stopped paying pensioners.

This question is on money. A few years ago, governors were running to Abuja, caps in hands begging for money to pay salaries. Now, you are talking about expanding your projects, where are you getting the money?

The President loves the state so much. But at the same time, what he gives Benue is what is being distributed elsewhere as well. So, we are all having a very common share. In fact, we have so much on the ground. Since the harnessing of what we have has not fully taken its position on the table, we are yet to have our 13 per cent derivation. I think quite soon, we are going to be there. You may hear the announcement on the oil and gas that is found in the state here. So, much attention is already given there. We are also not just having a pipeline, work has already begun on harnessing the series of solid minerals we have. Nigeria has quite a chunk. Benue has a share in those 43 varied solid minerals and quite a number are on a commercial basis. The federal government will increase our IGR (Internally Generated Revenue). Our IGR has been increased again simply because of the monetary. The oil subsidy (removal), I think, is the one that is throwing this back to us. The funds that were being used to ship the oil or to get the oil in different places, it is now being brought to us directly. We must say it….

With regards to your collaboration with the federal government, how will you assess it?

Prior to my coming in, there was no love lost between our subnational and the federal government. Things had gone sour. The end result was that the state lost so much. People did not have relevance. They (people) did not know what was actually happening from the central government. So, we had to renew our relationship. Now, it is quite superb. And this is why the federal government, Mr President, has been quite good to us, the sub-national. Remember, we are running a federation – the federal government and the sub-national here. What we receive from our federation account, it is what enables us to do what we do. The attention we have given to re-energising our internally generated revenue, it is what enables us to do what we are doing today and to ensure we are paying without owing anybody.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has warned that his restraint and patience should not be mistaken for weakness by the opposition in the state.

The governor made the assertion on Sunday while interacting with journalists shortly after his return from Abuja, stressing that he was only playing by the rules to ensure peaceful electioneering in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bala Mohammed, who appeared enraged while speaking, urged all political parties and their supporters to conduct their 2027 electioneering campaigns peacefully, lawfully and without violence.

The governor said he had consistently advised the people of the state to be law-abiding and follow INEC rules during campaigns and elections.

According to him, ‘As Governor and Chief Security Officer of Bauchi State, I will ensure that elections and campaigns are conducted without any breakdown of law and order.’

Bala Mohammed, who is flying the flag of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat, assured that his party would strictly adhere to INEC guidelines and called on other parties to do the same.

He noted that politics should be about issues, policies and programmes that improve citizens’ lives, rather than personal attacks or thuggery.

The governor revealed that some of his campaign posters and billboards had been vandalised by political opponents but said he had chosen the path of restraint.

‘My restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. We cannot use a hammer to kill a fly. As a leader entrusted with power, I will not abuse state authority to fight my political opponents,’ he warned.

He added that his administration had provided a level playing field for all political actors and urged them not to take his humility for granted.

The governor also called on traditional rulers and security agencies to remain neutral, fair and God-fearing throughout the election period.

He commended the peaceful conduct of political activities so far and expressed optimism that Bauchi would sustain its reputation for peace before, during and after the 2027 elections.

According to him, ‘Our assurance as a government is the campaigns will be hitch-free, peaceful and issues-based. Peace first and politics later.’

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Campaign Organization, Hon. Mahiru Maiwada Wundi, on Sunday received several defectors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and People’s Redemption Party (PRP) into the APM.

The new members, who joined the APM, were welcomed by Alhaji Muttaka Duguri, leading to their reception and formal admission into the party.

Speaking during the event, Hon. Mahiru Maiwada Wundi warmly welcomed the new members and assured them of his continued support, partnership and commitment to the success of the party.

He expressed confidence that their decision to join the APM would further strengthen the party and contribute significantly to its success.

He further assured the new members that, together, they would work tirelessly towards securing victory for the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Yakubu Adamu, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and all other APM candidates in the forthcoming 2027 elections.

The impressive turnout and growing number of people joining the APM were described as indications of the party’s increasing acceptance and political strength across Bauchi State.

The event further demonstrated the growing momentum towards an APM victory in 2027, with Senator Bala Mohammed and all APM candidates poised for success at the polls.