By Isa Abdul, Abuja

The Benue State Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN has embarked on a statewide tour, consulting and assuring Benue communities, professional bodies, cultural groups and political stakeholders about the socio- economic fortunes awaiting them, once he is voted as governor in 2027.

The consultations tagged by followers as “Prof. Hon’s Vision for the Food Basket” have provided a veritable platform for robust interface between the governorship hopeful and citizens of Benue State.

From Makurdi to Otukpo,, Gboko to Ugba and Adikpo, the senior lawyer has met with farmers, traders, academics, traditional rulers, youth groups and political actors, listening more than he speaks.

From the intersections, there is no doubt
Security remains at the top of the agenda in every conversation.

Communities displaced by conflict have repeatedly urged Prof. Hon to initiate the process of returning them to their ancestral homes.

The governorship hopeful has pledged to prioritize security and social order, stressing that no development plan can succeed without peace.

Agriculture, Benue State’s s natural strength is central to his blueprint.

Prof. Hon has promised an off-take scheme in which government will purchase produce at harvest when prices are low, store and release them into the market at reasonable prices during periods of scarcity.

He argues that the arrangement will protect farmers from exploitation and shield urban consumers from price shocks, ensuring both producer and consumer benefit.

To boost productivity, he is proposing early delivery of farming inputs at subsidized prices.

Fertilizer, herbicides and improved seeds, he notes must reach farmers before planting season, not months after.

He also wants to revive storage infrastructure, including silos and warehouses to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilize prices.

Beyond farming, Prof. Hon’s consultations have highlighted the need for rural transformation, job creation and educational reform.

He maintains that development must move beyond Makurdi and reach the villages, where the majority of Benue people live.

Employment, he says, will be driven by agriculture, agro-processing and investment in skills training for young people.

The SDP candidate has also waded into governance issues. He spoke against the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the state and pledged to enforce local government autonomy as provided by law, arguing that grassroots development depends on giving councils the resources and freedom to function.

Unity, he told audiences must be both a goal and a strategy, describing his vision as “unity of purpose and full development” for all Benue people, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

Prof. Hon’s background as a philanthropist and senior advocate has shaped the tone of the consultations.

Many of those he has met describe him as accessible, generous and selfless, with a clear passion for Benue’s progress.

Participants at several of the meetings have expressed admiration for his genuine concern for ordinary citizens and his willingness to engage directly with grassroots communities.

As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election, there is growing anticipation among his supporters.

Many say they are ready to work assiduously for the success of the legal luminary, convinced that his experience, intellect and connection with the people position him to lead Benue State out of poverty and insecurity.

For Prof. Hon, the message from his consultations is clear: Benue State’s future lies in security, productive agriculture, functional education, rural transformation and a united people.

How these messages, engagements and goodwill can translate into votes in 2027 is what political watchers are waiting to see.

For now, the Food Basket tour continues and with it, Benue State’s conversation about the kind of leadership it wants next.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

Peter Obi, candidate of the National Democratic Congress NDC and Sheyi Makinde, of Allied People’s Movemt, APM have given acceptance speeches after affirmation by their political parties.

At the NDC convention Obi unveiled his roadmap for national recovery.

“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate of our party. I express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our party, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary, members of the National Working Committee, our relentless supporters and the Nigerian people who have steadfastly kept the spirit of hope alive,” he said.

The erstwhile Anambra State governor described Nigeria as a country at critical crossroads:

“Businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance.

“Yet, I stand before you filled with optimism and strong faith in the resilience of our people, for I firmly believe that a new Nigeria is possible.

“In terms of security, the situation in Nigeria has considerably worsened. The global terrorism impact assessments ranked Nigeria as the eighth most affected nation in 2022, sixth in 2024, and fourth in 2026.”

Obi promised to solve the problem of insecurity with intelligence-driven and technology-based security reforms while addressing the root causes of violence: poverty and unemployment.

“We must address insecurity with resolve and urgency, for no nation can thrive while its citizens live in trepidation. The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the protection of lives and property,”

He further promised major reforms in the healthcare sector:

“Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Furthermore, health insurance coverage in Nigeria hovers at a mere 10 per cent.

“This situation is regrettable. I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20 per cent.”

On power, Obi said:

“Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally. We currently generate and distribute a mere 4,000 megawatts of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million,” he regretted promising the distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years of presidency.

On his part, Sheyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, after emerging as the presidential candidate of Allied People’s Movement, APM, unveiled a reset agenda rooted in economic restructuring, petroleum sector overhaul and a decentralised security architecture.

“I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I believe the answer is simple… Nigeria must reset. We cannot continue recycling the same leadership approaches while expecting different results. A new direction must emerge; one built on competence, courage, accountability and compassion for the people.”

He promised reforms that directly improve citizens’ welfare, insisting that governance must be practical rather than rhetorical. That Nigeria must derive greater benefits from its status as an oil-producing nation, promising reforms in pricing, institutional efficiency and accountability within the petroleum sector.

“Nigerians must benefit from being an oil-producing country just like other oil-producing countries in the world.

“We will pursue fair, transparent and right pricing templates for petroleum products that reflect the realities of the cost of production. Nigerians must be protected from arbitrary pricing.

“I dare dream that the NNPC will be reformed and become lean, efficient and commercially driven through proper joint venture incorporation and institutional reforms.

“I dare dream that we will reset Nigeria and take the difficult but necessary decision to restructure the ownership of our refineries so Nigeria can finally stop bleeding resources into systems that no longer serve the people effectively.”

On national security, Makinde lamented the powerlessness of state governors called Chief Security Officers without constitutional control over security agencies.

“As Governor of Oyo State, I carry the painful burden of being called Chief Security Officer, yet lacking constitutional control over the security agencies needed to fully confront these threats.

“As President of Nigeria, I will work to reform our national security architecture so that states are no longer left helpless in moments of crisis. The decentralisation that we need for more effective security will be prioritised,” he assured.

Makinde equally expressed concern over ongoing kidnappings and insecurity across the country, describing them as a national emergency requiring urgent reforms.

The governor promised food security, transport reforms and agricultural productivity, stressing the need for data-driven planning.

He added that transportation costs had become a major burden for Nigerians and would require practical interventions based on tested models, to be issue-based and focused on solutions rather than political rhetoric:

“We will start with collating accurate data on our capacity in the agriculture sector so that we can address the gaps in production, processing, agrologistics and storage.

“I do not stand here promising miracles. I stand here promising leadership that listens, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that governance must improve the lives of ordinary people.”

At the event, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Jatau, led a delegation from the North-East to endorse Makinde’s candidacy, describing him as the leader Nigeria needed at its critical moment in history:

“We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement.

“Makinde possesses the qualities required to lead Nigeria towards progress and national renewal. We firmly believe that he is the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment in our nation’s history. We are confident that he possesses the vision, competence, experience and commitment required to move Nigeria forward and deliver the leadership our people deserve.

“I wish to assure our brothers and sisters gathered here today that Bauchi State, the North-East region, and indeed many patriotic Nigerians across the northern part of the country stand firmly behind the APM movement.

“The people of Oyo and the people of Bauchi share a strong bond of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect. Our destinies are interconnected, and our aspirations for a better Nigeria are the same.”

The APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, presented the party’s flag and Certificate of Return to Makinde, describing his emergence as the beginning of a broader political movement tagged: “Reset Nigeria Agenda.”

He said state chairmen and stakeholders unanimously supported Makinde’s nomination with event marking the birth of the “Reset Nigeria Movement.”

–Wike-backed leadership gives thump down

By Isa Abdul, Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Saturday, emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 general election, as hoodlums invaded A-Class Event Centre Abuja where he was endorsed at a Special National Convention by a faction of the PDP led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

The event took place despite opposition from the party’s faction led by Nyeson Wike, FCT minister.

Suspected thugs reportedly invaded the original venue for the ratification of Jonathan’s candidature, A-Class Event Centre, and attacked participants.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the attack occurred shortly after the factional leaders relocated from the venue to engage with police personnel deployed to the area.

Turaki and other factional members shifted the activities to their operational office in Area 10, Garki, after security personnel barricaded the A-Class Event Centre and crowned the ex-president in absentia with the issuance of a Certificate of Return.

Fred Agbedi, a former House or Representatives member, received the certificate on behalf of the former President after a brief ceremony.

The party leaders returned to the A-Class Event Centre for an engagement with police officers stationed at the venue.

Shortly after Turaki concluded his remarks at the scene, hoodlums arrived in two Coaster buses armed with sticks launched a sudden attack on party officials who were already returning to their vehicles.

The attack forced party leaders, journalists and other stakeholders to scamper.

In the ensuring chaos, a journalist’s mobile phone was reportedly snatched.

The convention’s highlight was the ratification of Jonathan’s candidature through a voice vote following a motion moved by the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen’s Forum and Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by former Minister of Aviation, Mohammed Dagash.

With Jonathan’s candidature, a new chapter has been added to PDPs tale of crises.

But it is not clear, as at press time, if Dr Jonathan has accepted to be part of this and the herculian tasks ahead: to step into the murky internal PDP war and then move on to the larger contest between an incumbent president whose power grab philosophy is well known.

Confusing is the both factions’ claim to their legal grounding.

The Wike faction got the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeals filed by the Turaki faction and upheld previous lower court rulings in its favour. This nullified the parallel PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, stripping the rival group of legal standing. It also declared the National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu (a staunch Wike ally) as the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP and the Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman.

But addressing supporters at the Abuja event, Turaki accused unnamed political interests of attempting to undermine democracy through intimidation and abuse of power.

“No matter how highly opinionated they may be about themselves, or no matter how they think they can use their positions to thwart democracy, we want to tell them that Nigeria is bigger than anybody and any group of persons.

“We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls. We will meet you there; we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground.”

The former minister went on to uphold the legitimacy of the faction and what it was doing as being consistent with the supreme court judgments and the provisions of the PDP constitution.

He maintained that the PDP Board of Trustees and members of the National Executive Committee had intervened to address the leadership vacancies created by judicial pronouncements, leading to the formation of an Interim National Working Committee:

“What we are doing today is in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.”

At the event also, an elder statesman and PDP founding member, Prof Jerry Gana, spoke against the dip in what what ought to give democracy full traction: an unbiased, independent electoral umpire which the pro-democracy activists canvassed for:

“It is with great pain that I see this situation, that so many years after democracy, we are still being reduced to this.

“We insisted that we must have an Independent National Electoral Commission. Unfortunately, after so many years of development, is INEC now independent?”, he queried.

Gana also criticised the heavy security presence noting it was a threat to democratic freedoms:
“We are supposed to be having a special convention in a very well-organised place. Now the police have taken over the whole place. Are we back to military rule?
“This is a disgrace. Let the whole world know that Nigerian democracy is challenged because people cannot meet freely.”

However, the Nyesom Wike PDP faction’s leadership had earlier distanced itself from the convention through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, who maintained that former Cross River State senator, Sandy Onor, remained the recognised presidential candidate of the party.