Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Tinubu Support Group (TSG) has commenced nationwide grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The group also credited Tinubu with rescuing the Nigerian economy from what it described as a looming collapse, citing improved economic indicators and reforms by his administration.

The Director-General of TSG, Dr Umar Tanko Yakasai, stated this during the official inauguration of the group’s national structure and state executive committees at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano.

Yakasai charged the newly inaugurated national and state officials to begin grassroots mobilisation and campaigns for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He said the group would build on the foundation laid by its founder and convener, Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, whom he credited with spearheading the early movement for Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

‘Let me inform our newly inaugurated national and state officials that the work starts from today, no resting, no lazing around,’ Yakasai said.

‘We should work hard to do more than what our founding leaders did by campaigning vigorously at the grassroots and delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections.’

According to him, TSG members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory must remain committed to securing the President’s re-election.

Yakasai, who commended Tinubu’s administration, said the president inherited a ‘shattered and battered economy’ but had succeeded in stabilising it.

He cited growth in foreign reserves, a reduction in inflation, and an increase in gross domestic product as evidence of the administration’s economic performance.

He also said the Federal Government had cleared over $7 billion in loans and an additional $3.5 billion COVID-19 loan, while increasing allocations to state governments through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The TSG DG also listed the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), local government financial autonomy, and the creation of additional regional development commissions among the administration’s achievements.

He further highlighted federal infrastructure projects in Kano, including the completion of the Kano-Kaduna Expressway and the ongoing construction of the Gwarzo, Katsina, and Daura roads.

Yakasai also commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing him as a strong supporter of President Tinubu.

He said the governor’s administration had empowered thousands of women and youths through skills acquisition and grants, provided scholarships, and undertaken infrastructure projects across the state.

Yakasai expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure a ‘resounding victory’ in Kano in 2027, saying the support of Governor Yusuf and the mobilization of TSG members would contribute to the president’s success.

He also dismissed the chances of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) defeating Tinubu in Kano.

The inauguration brought together TSG coordinators and executive committee members from the 36 states and the FCT, alongside thousands of supporters in Kano.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has commenced moves to finalise the proposed National Automotive Industry Bill, 2026, assuring stakeholders that the clean copy of the document will be ready soon.

The council gave the assurance at the weekend, at a stakeholders’ engagement on the bill in Lagos, where automotive manufacturers, assemblers, component suppliers, industry associations and other stakeholders reviewed the proposed legislation.

As part of NADDC’s efforts to strengthen the legal, regulatory and institutional framework for sustainable growth of the sector, the stakeholder engagement was put together for major players across the automotive value chain to review the proposed legislation and make recommendations ahead of its submission to the National Assembly.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said the engagement reflected a shared commitment to developing a legal framework capable of transforming the automotive ecosystem into a self-sustaining and globally competitive industrial value chain.

Addressing the stakeholders, Osanipin said: ‘When this management team assumed leadership at the NADDC, our vision was clear: to move Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem from mere assembly potentials into a robust industrial value chain anchored on local content, component manufacturing, vehicle electrification, and regional market integration.’

‘However, achieving this ambition requires an unyielding foundation. Policy inconsistency, legislative gaps, and outdated legal frameworks have historically created uncertainty for investors.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council Act of 2014 laid important groundwork, but the dynamics of global manufacturing, green mobility transitions, and regional trade integration particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) demand that we upgrade our legal architecture’.

‘The Draft National Automotive Industry Bill, 2026, represents a bold legislative reform. By transitioning the Council into the National Automotive Design and Development Commission, this Bill aims to: stablish a statutory institutional framework with strong regulatory and enforcement mandates; legally safeguard the incentives, protections, and implementation structures of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP); create a predictable, transparent, and investment-friendly environment that gives original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), component suppliers, and financiers the confidence to commit long-term capital to Nigeria and fast-track local value addition, supplier development, and sustainable job creation for our youth,’ he said.

As a Council, the DG pointed out that they firmly believe that legislation designed for the private sector must be written with the private sector. The draft Bill before you today is not a finished product cast in stone; it is a collaborative template. We have deliberately convened this session to listen to you, the plant managers, local assemblers, component manufacturers, and key industry bodies like NAMA and MAN who navigate the daily operational realities of our market.

‘We want to know: Where do these provisions support your growth? Where do they create bottlenecks? How can we refine this framework to position Nigeria as the undisputed automotive manufacturing hub of West Africa?’ he added.

In his remark, the Director, Policy, Planning and Statistics (PPS), Mr. Umar Nura Sidi, described the engagement as a decisive step towards redefining the legal, regulatory and economic architecture of Nigeria’s automotive sector.

Sidi said the Council deliberately circulated the Draft Bill to stakeholders to ensure that the proposed legislation reflected the realities of those investing, manufacturing, assembling and operating within the industry.

He disclosed that valuable written contributions had already been received from major industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM).

Also speaking at the forum, Chairman of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) , Mr Bawo Omagbitse, expressed support for the enactment of a modern National Automotive Industry Act, adding that substantial amendments were required to ensure that the legislation functions not only as a regulatory framework but also as a catalyst for automotive industrialisation.

Calling for a performance-based policy framework capable of driving investment, local manufacturing and component development, Omagbitse said the fundamental issue the Bill must address was whether its provisions would make it commercially attractive for investors to manufacture vehicles and components in Nigeria rather than rely on imports.

He said the automotive sector was an anchor industry with extensive linkages to steel, aluminium, plastics, rubber, glass, batteries, electronics, chemicals, engineering, logistics, finance, ICT, technical education and research and development.

According to him, the proposed law should establish a clear and balanced industrial compact between government and investors, with government providing predictable policies, appropriate incentives, market support and investment protection, while industry commits to measurable targets in investment, production, employment, local content, supplier development, technology transfer, research and development and exports.

He said: ‘We recognise the need to replace the existing legal framework with legislation that reflects the changing realities of our industry, including new technologies, electric mobility, consumer protection, standards, vehicle safety and the growing importance of local manufacturing. However, after a careful review of the proposed Bill, the industry believes that substantial amendments are required before the Bill is passed into law. Our principal concern is that the Bill, in its present form, is stronger as a regulatory and institutional law than as an industrialisation law. It provides for licensing, standards, inspection, penalties, testing, consumer protection, clean mobility and administration of industry funds. These are important provisions.

Raising a fundamental question before the industry, Omagbitse, who is also on NADDC Board representing NAMA, said, ‘What will make it commercially rational for an investor to manufacture vehicles and components in Nigeria rather than simply import them into Nigeria? That question, he said, must be at the heart of this legislation.

‘The automotive industry is not an ordinary trading sector. It is an anchor industry with linkages to steel, aluminum, plastics, rubber, glass, batteries, electronics, chemicals, engineering, logistics, finance, ICT, technical education and research and development. A successful automotive industry, therefore, does much more than assemble vehicles. It creates an industrial ecosystem. Nigeria’s current automotive policy already sets ambitious objectives: the transition from SKD to CKD production, increased local content, increased domestic production, employment generation and the development of locally produced new-energy vehicles.’

The proposed legislation should do more than restate these aspirations. The Nigeria Automotive Industry Act, 2026 should create the legally predictable mechanisms that make the aspirations commercially achievable. Our recommendation is that the Bill should establish a clear and balanced industrial compact between Government and investors. Under this compact, Government would provide predictable policies, appropriate incentives, market support and investment protection. In return, industry would undertake measurable commitments to investment, production, employment, local content, supplier development, technology transfer, research and development and, where commercially feasible, exports. This simply implies that no industrial incentive without industrial performance and no industrial performance obligation without predictable Government support. That, in our view, is the balance that is presently missing from the Bill.

He recommended that the Bill should be strengthened around a number of critical pillars, including: investment and policy certainty. Establishment of a predictable Automotive Tariff and Industrial Protection Framework that must be a clear and rational relationship between the tariff treatment of Fully Built Vehicles; SKD kits; CKD kits and locally manufactured components: a strong and practical local-content and component-development programme: establishment of a properly structured Automotive Development Fund.

The interactive session organised by NADDC attracted the whole gamut of industry players including: automotive manufacturers, assemblers, component suppliers, industry associations and other stakeholders who reviewed the proposed legislation. The clean copy of the proposed National Automotive Industry Bill, 2026 is expected to be ready before the end of the year.

Few experiences frustrate urban commuters quite like opening a ride-hailing app, only to watch standard fares double or triple within seconds. Whether you are rushing home from work, leaving an event center, or escaping sudden downpours, dynamic pricing algorithms trigger steep increases the moment demand outpaces available drivers.

Across major metropolitan hubs worldwide, daily travelers feel the direct pinch of these unpredictable fare jumps on their personal budgets.

Dynamic surge pricing is not an accident; it is an automated mechanism designed by tech platforms to incentivise idle drivers to enter high-demand zones while pricing out price-sensitive passengers.

Yet, frequent commuters across global cities from London to New York and beyond are refusing to pay double for everyday trips.

By understanding how these matching systems compute distance, clusters, and scheduling windows, savvy commuters have developed reliable routines to circumvent excessive charges.

In this article, Tribune Online examines five practical workarounds urban commuters are using globally to bypass app surge pricing and keep daily transport spending manageable.

Walking outside the algorithm’s heat zone

Ride-hailing algorithms divide urban geography into dense, localised algorithmic clusters often referred to as surge zones. When several hundred passengers open their phones within the same three-block radius such as outside a bustling sports stadium, train terminal, or busy downtown shopping district the app flags that specific area as a hotspot and applies a high multiplier to fares requested from within its borders.

Commuters beat this sudden price spike by simply walking three to five minutes away toward a quieter, less congested street corner. Commuter analysis by consumer travel platforms like NerdWallet shows that moving your pickup pin merely two blocks outside a congested venue or transit nexus can instantly drop fares back to standard baseline rates. Drivers avoid the gridlock, and passengers pocket substantial savings.

Comparing fares across competing ride aggregators

Relying exclusively on a single ride-hailing app guarantees that you remain at the mercy of one company’s internal demand spikes. Peak travel hours rarely hit every platform equally because driver distribution and passenger volume differ across competing platforms.

When one app initiates a double fare during evening rush hour, an alternative service in the same city often retains regular rates or offers active promotional discounts.Daily travelers consistently keep two to three competing booking services active on their smartphones.

Dedicated mobility aggregator apps like Citymapper allow commuters to inspect real-time rates side by side across multiple services simultaneously. Checking alternative networks before confirming your ride takes under a minute and prevents overpaying when an individual app experiences sudden local demand.

Scheduling trips ahead to lock in fares

Booking an on-demand ride right when you need to walk out the door leaves your wallet completely vulnerable to unexpected price jumps.

Sudden rain showers, broken-down subway lines, or sudden crowd surges can turn an affordable 15-minute commute into an expensive trip in a fraction of a second.To avoid this risk, experienced commuters reserve their transport hours or even days ahead.

Global mobility platforms permit scheduled ride bookings in advance, often providing a guaranteed upfront estimate or a capped price window. Scheduling early locks in your transit slot, shields your trip from unexpected algorithmic demand spikes, and lets you bypass price hikes entirely.

Using scheduled drop-off and multiple-stop splits

When surge pricing takes over an entire commercial core, booking a direct trip straight to your destination’s front entrance costs the maximum surge multiplier. Drivers also know that heavy terminal traffic slows them down, meaning ride platforms inflate the entire journey’s pricing model to compensate for anticipated idle time.

Urban travelers bypass this charge by splitting the journey or dropping the destination pin just ahead of gridlocked thoroughfares. Selecting a well-lit junction, public square, or transit stop right outside the congested center drastically lowers the base trip cost.

Commuters complete the final short stretch on foot or via regular transit, bypassing the high fees associated with direct central drops.

Waiting out the algorithm’s ten-minute refresh cycle

Surge pricing spikes look permanent on your screen, but algorithmic pricing models recalculate supply and demand continuously. In most modern dispatch networks, dynamic surge levels refresh roughly every two to ten minutes based on incoming driver availability and cancelled user requests.

When an unusually steep fare appears, commuters simply step into a cafe or wait ten minutes rather than instantly hitting confirm.

Studies analysing dynamic mobility pricing from institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicate that high surges often drop sharply once the initial rush of booking requests subsides. A short pause gives neighboring drivers time to enter the area, bringing fares back to earth.

From your experience working with farmers in Osun State, and other parts of Nigeria, what are some of the biggest challenges currently affecting agricultural producers, particularly smallholder farmers?

From our work with farmers in Osun State and other parts of Nigeria, the biggest challenges for smallholder producers include limited access to affordable finance and quality inputs, inadequate storage and post-harvest infrastructure leading to high losses, poor rural road networks that raise transport costs, and price volatility combined with weak market information. Climate variability and limited extension support further constrain productivity and incomes.

Nigeria has enormous agricultural potential but still imports several commodities and processed agricultural products.

What do you believe needs to change for Nigeria to move from being primarily a producer and exporter of raw commodities to becoming a major processor and value-added agricultural economy?

Nigeria needs stronger investment in processing infrastructure, consistent power supply, and supportive policies that encourage local value addition, rather than raw exports. Improved access to finance for agro-processors, skills development, quality standards enforcement, and better linkage between farmers and processors are essential. When local processing becomes competitive, more of the value will be retained in the economy and employment will expand beyond primary production.

Commodity prices can be highly unpredictable, while issues such as transportation, storage, access to finance and inadequate infrastructure also affect agricultural businesses. How does Kehtol manage these challenges and protect both its farmers and its business?

We manage price volatility through careful market monitoring, diversified commodity portfolios, and forward planning with buyers. On operational challenges, we prioritise efficient logistics partnerships, basic aggregation and storage points to reduce losses, and selective use of available financing tools. By maintaining close relationships with farmers and transparent pricing, we help buffer them against extreme fluctuations while protecting our own margins through disciplined cost control and multi-crop operations.

How important are partnerships with local farmers and farming communities to Kehtol’s operations, and what initiatives, if any, does the company have to improve farmers’ productivity, income and access to markets?

Partnerships with local farmers and communities are central to our model. We work directly with farming groups in and around Osogbo, providing market access, quality feedback and, where possible, practical support that improves productivity and income. These relationships give us reliable supply and give farmers a more predictable outlet. We continue to explore ways to strengthen these links through better coordination and shared value.

With growing global demand for Nigerian agricultural commodities, particularly cocoa, cashew and other exportable crops, what opportunities do you see for Kehtol in the international market?

Growing global demand for Nigerian cocoa, cashew and other export crops presents clear opportunities. We see potential to increase volumes of high-quality, traceable produce, strengthen relationships with international buyers, and position Kehtol as a reliable supplier of Nigerian origin commodities. Expanding our export footprint while maintaining quality and consistency will allow us to capture more of this demand.

Looking at the next five years, what are the major plans for Kehtol Global Investment Company Limited?

Over the next five years our priorities include expanding our farming and aggregation operations, increasing export volumes, and exploring limited processing or value-addition activities where feasible. We also aim to deepen partnerships with farmers and end-users while remaining focused on the core commodities that play to our strengths. Disciplined growth and operational excellence remain the guiding principles.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disclosed that the Federal Government has agreed to establish additional military bases in some local government areas of the state following the recent infiltration of armed bandits into parts of Kano.

It will be recalled that some local government areas ,very close to neighbouring states,have been witnessing armed banditry ,causing untimely death of innocent citizens as well injuring many residents of the affected areas

Some of these local government areas, that the state government have in mind to establish these military bases ,are Shanono,Bichi,Gwarzo ,Doguwa ,Tundun wada and other areas prone to banditry attacks

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Taju Usman, disclosed this after a meeting held on September 5, 2026, between the governor and the 44 Local Government Council chairmen, Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Accountant-General of the state.

According to him, the meeting extensively deliberated on security, infrastructure and human capital development, with participants resolving to strengthen the security architecture across the state.

The commissioner said Governor Yusuf had already met with the Minister of Defence, with both agreeing on the need to establish additional military bases in local government areas identified as prone to security challenges.

He explained that the new bases would complement the existing security architecture comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards.

He said the initiative was designed to strengthen security, facilitate rapid response to threats, protect communities and safeguard lives and property in affected areas.

On infrastructure and education, Usman disclosed that contracts for the establishment and provision of Computer-Based Test and Information and Communication Technology centres in each of the 44 local government areas had been awarded, with work expected to commence immediately.

He said the project, valued at N27.8 billion, would provide students with improved access to internet facilities for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations and other computer-based examinations.

The commissioner also announced that the meeting resolved to provide one rural ambulance to each ward across the state to improve access to emergency and basic healthcare services.

He added that two drivers would be employed for each ambulance, with preference given to qualified residents of the respective wards.

According to him, the state government also plans to establish electric vehicle charging points at strategic locations within the Kano metropolis as a pilot project, which would be expanded based on the outcome of the initiative.

Usman further said the installation of solar-powered streetlights in the 44 local government areas would commence immediately, following facilitation by Honourable Abba Bichi.

He said the streetlight project was aimed at improving public lighting, strengthening security and promoting sustainable development across the state.

The commissioner disclosed that the government also agreed to appoint 50 special reporters for each local government area, as well as 35 advisers for the local government chairmen, with 15 positions allocated to members of the former APC structure.

He said the appointments were intended to strengthen grassroots engagement, communication and effective administration.

On women empowerment, Usman said the new and improved monthly women empowerment programme would continue immediately, with the objective of promoting economic empowerment, self-reliance and improved livelihoods among women across Kano State.

The commissioner said the resolutions reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government and the 44 Local Government Councils to strengthening security, infrastructure, human capital development, grassroots governance and the welfare of residents.

He urged all relevant ministries, departments, agencies, local government councils and other stakeholders to ensure the immediate and effective implementation of the resolutions.

As businesses across Lagos State seek functional and adaptable workplaces, commercial interior designer, Micah G. Oluwadare, has demonstrated how existing properties could be given new purpose through thoughtful interior transformation.

Citing Capricorn Digital Limited example, Oluwadare, who is the founder/principal designer of Buckeye Interior Limited, narrated how a former residential staff-quarters building was converted into a functional corporate technology workspace.

Rather than demolishing the existing structure or treating the property as a blank canvas, he said the project focused on understanding the building’s limitations and reorganising its interior to support the company’s operations.

‘The transformation incorporated workstations, meeting spaces, technology-related areas and spaces that encourage staff interaction. Elements such as circulation, furniture arrangement, lighting, acoustics and privacy were considered alongside the company’s functional requirements and corporate identity,’ he said.

Oluwadare said the value of an existing property should not be measured solely by its size or location.

‘Every existing building has limitations, but those limitations can also create opportunities,’ he started. ‘The designer’s responsibility is to understand the building and find a way to make it work for the organisation.’

He said that the Capricorn Digital project illustrated the potential of adaptive interior design in commercial real estate.

Instead of starting again with a new building, he explained that an existing property could be reconfigured to meet changing business requirements.

For businesses, he said the approach could provide an opportunity to create workplaces that reflect how their teams actually work.

Oluwadare believes the interior of a commercial property should therefore be considered an important part of its overall value.

‘The goal is not simply to make a space attractive,’ he explained, adding, ‘It is about understanding how people use the space and making the available property work better for them.’

According to him, the project highlighted a broader shift in how existing commercial buildings can be viewed: not simply as fixed structures, but as spaces with the potential to evolve alongside the businesses that occupy them.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has denied allegations of illegal payments and favouritism in its candidate selection and financing processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party, in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the allegations as misinformation and propaganda allegedly being circulated by disgruntled elements seeking to damage the party’s growing popularity.

The NDC explained that, as a relatively new political party without a sitting president, governor, minister or other public office holders, it had to develop mechanisms to fund its operations and build a nationwide political structure.

According to the party, it therefore sought financial support through donations, levies and contributions from aspirants, members, stakeholders and members of the public, stressing that such funding mechanisms are provided for in its constitution.

‘All such contributions, levies, and donations were paid directly into the designated party account and received and managed by the appropriate organs of the party,’ the statement said.

The party further rejected claims that its National Leader demanded or received money from aspirants for personal use.

‘The National Leader of our party neither demanded nor received any money from any aspirant for personal use. All funds were duly received, receipted, and accounted for in line with global best practices,’ it said.

The NDC said it would render a full account of its finances in accordance with the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when required.

On allegations that its tickets were sold to aspirants, the party maintained that financial contributions to party operations should not be confused with the sale of political tickets.

It said its presidential and vice-presidential tickets were offered free of charge because of its confidence in the candidates, adding that the same principle applied to several other candidates.

The party argued that funding remained a critical component of election planning, particularly for an opposition party challenging an incumbent government while fielding candidates across the country.

The NDC accused unnamed opposition figures and sponsored elements of spreading the allegations because they were allegedly unsettled by the party’s growing acceptance nationwide.

It challenged anyone claiming to have paid money to individuals outside the designated party account to provide evidence, promising that the party would not shield anyone found culpable.

The NDC also disclosed that its leadership was considering legal action against those responsible for allegedly spreading false information.

Defending its National Leader, the party said his public service background and personal values of integrity, honesty and simplicity made the allegations against him incongruous.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, due process and justice, urging the media, members and the public to disregard what it described as false narratives.

‘The NDC is here to salvage Nigeria, and no amount of propaganda will stop the movement,’ it said.

The Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE) has inaugurated Yetunde Aladeitan as its sixth national chairman, charging the new leadership to deepen industry collaboration and strengthen Nigeria’s engineering capacity.

Aladeitan, who was inaugurated alongside a new executive committee, said her administration will reposition NIPetE as a more relevant and professional institution in the petroleum industry.

The ceremony was held at the National Engineering Centre (NEC), Abuja, with professionals, policymakers, academics and representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in attendance.

She said the institution had, in the past six months, rebuilt its presence through engagements with major oil and gas companies, aimed at promoting technical knowledge-sharing and local capacity development.

According to her, the next 18 months will witness stronger engagement with government agencies, regulators and operating companies, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and international professional bodies.

Aladeitan also announced plans to establish a policy advisory council to develop position papers on the Petroleum Industry Act, fiscal reforms and value-chain optimisation.

She said NIPetE will expand its training programmes through mentorship and internship schemes linking young engineers with experienced industry leaders.

The NSE president, Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, represented by the deputy president, Valerie Ifueko Agberagba, urged the new chairman to provide strategic and purposeful leadership.

Benue Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has dismissed as false the claim by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, that thugs allegedly working for the state government blocked him from visiting victims of the 2025 attack on Yelewata.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, described the allegation as a ‘manufactured lie’ in a statement issued on Tuesday in Makurdi.

Obi was in Benue to commiserate with victims of the Yelewata attack when he reportedly alleged that thugs prevented him from accessing the affected community.

Kula, however, said the state government did not know about the alleged incident, describing Obi’s claim as an attempt to drag Alia and the Benue Government into what he suggested could be an internal political dispute within the NDC.

He said Alia was not threatened by Obi’s visit, adding that any genuine security concern would be handled by recognised security agencies, not thugs.

According to Kula, the governor, a clergyman known for his opposition to thuggery, does not engage, patronise or deploy thugs for governance or security purposes.

He also questioned whether Obi formally notified the relevant security agencies about his visit, saying movements of prominent political figures ordinarily require coordination with the Commissioner of Police and other security authorities.

Kula urged Obi to address any internal disagreement within the NDC rather than attributing it to the state government.

‘The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists,’ he said.

The CPS said the government remained focused on good governance, security and improving the welfare of Benue residents.

He urged the public to disregard allegations linking the state government to any incident involving Obi, stressing that Benue remained open to legitimate visitors and Nigerians who came to the state in peace.

Ekiti State will host the final of the 2026 World Iyan Carnival on December 27 as part of efforts to promote African food, culture, agriculture and tourism globally.

The organisers, led by Prince Ade Ajayi, said the carnival has grown beyond a cultural celebration into a platform for agro-tourism, food security, investment, entertainment and economic development.

Ajayi commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting the initiative and promoting Ekiti as a destination for culture, tourism, agriculture and investment. An invitation has also been extended to President Bola Tinubu as special guest of honour.

A major attraction will be an attempt to set a Guinness World Records feat using more than 100 traditional Odò Iyan (mortars and pestles) simultaneously to prepare pounded yam. The pounded yam will be arranged into a monumental pyramid.

The carnival features four major initiatives: the World Iyan Carnival, including the Iyan Challenge and Omoge Iyan Pageant; the 50 Million Yam Tuber Cultivation Initiative; the Aafin Iyan Resort; and the Origin of Iyan Documentary.

Organisers said the yam initiative will boost food security, support farmers and attract investment, while the Ilasa Yam Conditioning Centre is receiving renewed attention to strengthen yam production and processing in the state.

The organisers also unveiled the 100 Odò Iyan Legacy Project, allowing individuals and organisations to sponsor mortars bearing their names.

The Iyan Challenge, held across communities, will culminate at the Ekiti finale, while cultural links have been established with Brazil, Grenada, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.

Ajayi called on governments, businesses, farmers, investors, tourism operators, culinary professionals, communities and Nigerians in the diaspora to support the carnival, describing it as an opportunity to experience Ekiti, invest in agriculture, explore tourism and promote African culinary heritage.