Politics
Benue SDP Candidate, Prof. Hon, Gives Assurance on Food Basket Vision
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.
Politics
Namdas Congratulates Shettima, Says Tinubu’s Renomination of VP Signals Stability, Continuity
By Philip Nyam
The newly appointed Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Ph.D has commended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to renominate Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 Presidential Election as a bold affirmation of competence, loyalty, and results.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Namdas said, “As a proud member of the APC and a stakeholder committed to the unity and progress of our nation, I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, on this well-deserved renomination.
“I also extend my profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the wisdom and foresight demonstrated in retaining a Vice President who has stood firm with him in steering the affairs of this country through challenging times”, he stated.
Namdas noted that “Since assuming office in 2023, the Tinubu-Shettima ticket has provided purposeful leadership anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda. Senator Shettima has not been a spare tire. He has been an active partner in governance. From driving economic reforms, to deepening engagement with the private sector, to representing Nigeria with dignity on the global stage, and to providing calm, thoughtful leadership in the North East and across the country, he has shown capacity, humility, and dedication”.
According to him, “Mr. President’s choice to retain Senator Shettima sends a clear message to Nigerians and to the world: that this administration values continuity, experience, and teamwork. It tells our citizens that performance will be rewarded, and that the job of nation-building is not for grandstanding, but for steady hands.
“I also congratulate our great party, the APC, for presenting what is, without doubt, the most formidable presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election. With President Tinubu at the helm and Senator Shettima as his deputy, the APC is offering Nigerians a tested team that understands the assignment and has the courage to take the hard decisions required to reposition our economy, secure every part of Nigeria, and create opportunities for our young people.
“The road ahead will demand more sacrifice, more unity, and more belief in the Nigeria project. But with this ticket, I am confident that the APC will not only retain power in 2027 but will do so with an even stronger mandate because Nigerians can see that the foundation being laid today will deliver the prosperity we all seek tomorrow.
“Once again, congratulations to Senator Kashim Shettima. Thank you, Mr. President, for your confidence and for putting Nigeria first. And congratulations to the APC family. The work continues, and victory, by the grace of God and the will of the people, is assured”.
— Vatsa, APC Chieftain Tells Bago
By Michael Lim
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state has been urged to select a Christian running mate for the 2027 governorship election for fairness and to garner more Christian support.
Jonathan Vatsa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, has advised.
He warned that failure to do so could cost the party significant votes due to the ongoing marginalisation of Christians in the state’s political landscape.
Speaking with journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa expressed concern that the APC’s recent primaries produced almost exclusively Muslim candidates.
He noted that only one Christian secured a ticket for the entire State House of Assembly, while all three senatorial candidates, 11 House of Representatives candidates, and 26 out of 27 House of Assembly candidates are Muslims.
According to Vatsa, Christians have also been sidelined in political appointments, despite Governor Bago’s public outreach to Christian groups.
But he argued that symbolic gestures such as attending church programmes or making donations cannot substitute for genuine inclusion in governance.
“It’s not about attending church programmes, singing choruses or making donations. What matters is fairness and inclusion in appointments and elective positions,” he said.
Vatsa maintained that nominating a Christian deputy would help restore balance and strengthen the APC’s chances in 2027.
He cautioned that if opposition parties present Christian running mates, they could attract sympathy votes from the Christian community.
He further stressed that the credibility of candidates, rather than party platforms, will play a decisive role in the upcoming elections.
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
After a review of party primaries across the federation, Governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resolved to meet with Prof Netanwe Yilwatda, Chairman of the party, and other leaders.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), said the resolution was reached at the forum’s meeting which ended in early hours of Tuesday in Abuja.
The PGF is an umbrella body of all serving APC governors.
Uzodimma, while addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting said that the governors also resolved to work to ensure that Nigerians were better off.
He said that the meeting reviewed the outcome of the party’s primaries across the federation, the recent Ekiti governorship election and various by elections in which the APC came out in ”flying colours”.
“We have resolved to work towards solving the problems and challenges facing our democratic space and ensuring that our people are better off.
“We also resolved to meet with the leadership of the party to plan the coming 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. We are ready and good to go,” he said.
The PGF chairman added that the forum further resolved to continue to work with the APC leadership to support and strengthen it and prepare it for future elections.
The meeting was attended by governors of Ekiti, Zamfara, Taraba, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom and Borno States among others.
The meeting may not be unconnected with what some sources believe is the group’s displeasure with how the primaries were reportedly handled by the party hierarchy scheming out their candidates out for the 2007 polls
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