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Killings: Benue is bleeding while you fight for power — APC chieftain, Inedu tells Gov Alia in open letter

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A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Engr Julius Inedu, has raised the alarm over the deteriorating security situation in the state.

Inedu accused Governor Hyacinth Alia and his team of neglecting their core responsibilities while focusing on intra-party power struggles.

In an open letter addressed to the governor, Inedu lamented what he described as the governor’s growing disconnect from the realities facing the people of Benue State.

According to him, communities across the state remain under siege from escalating farmer-herder conflicts, bandit attacks and communal clashes, with thousands of families displaced and living in squalid camps.

He expressed concern that despite increased revenue allocations to the state following the removal of fuel subsidies, there has been no corresponding improvement in security or welfare initiatives.

“Benue continues to bleed. Communities across the state are under siege—from the north to the south. The farmer-herder crisis, bandit attacks, and communal clashes have not abated. In many cases, they have intensified. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are overflowing, and families have lost everything: homes, loved ones, and their sense of safety,” Inedu wrote.

He accused the governor of focusing more on internal APC leadership tussles than on addressing the existential challenges facing the people.

Referring to a recent interview granted by Governor Alia on national television, Inedu criticised the governor for dwelling on political control instead of critical issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and economic development.

“This comes off as disconnected from the realities on the ground. The people of Benue are not concerned about who controls the APC—they are worried about who controls the security of their communities and their future,” he stressed.

The APC chieftain also drew attention to the worsening unemployment situation in the state, noting that no major recruitment has been carried out in the Benue State civil service since 2014, leaving many young people jobless and vulnerable to criminal influence.

Describing the growing army of unemployed youths as a “ticking time bomb,” Inedu urged Governor Alia to use the additional federal allocations at the state’s disposal to create jobs, empower youths, and fill critical vacancies in government ministries and agencies.

He further warned that the wave of enthusiasm that accompanied Alia’s election victory in 2023 was quickly fading, and that the popular “Yes Father” campaign slogan was at risk of becoming nothing more than a memory.

“The momentum of hope that accompanied your emergence is waning. The enthusiasm, the expectations, the faith—they are fading. The ‘Yes Father’ movement is at risk of becoming a memory rather than a legacy,” he noted.

“The people of Benue are not asking for miracles. They are asking for purposeful leadership, clear communication, and a sincere commitment to their welfare and security. You were elected to serve them, protect them, and restore their dignity. The time to act is now,” he declared.

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2027: There’s no coalition, I know who’ll get ADC presidential ticket – Omokri

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Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, will not get the sole ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, come 2027.

According to him, there is no coalition against President Bola Tinubu since all those involved cannot settle for one candidate with Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Chibuike Amaechi all indicating interest.

Omokri told Arise News that one thing that political leaders in the coalition all have in common is that they all lost in 2023.

He described the coalition as a loser’s convention, adding that President Bola Tinubu has no reason to be afraid of them.

“You’re forming a loser’s convention. I mean, why should I be afraid of you?

“It happens all the time in the United States, we see people forming a loser’s convention. When you gather negative thinkers together, there’s more negativity,” he said.

Reminded that there is a certain logic behind the coalition which is that the likes Peter Obi and Atiku do not want to split their vote, which collectively beat Tinubu hands down in 2023.

Recall that Tinubu got 37% of the votes in 2023, while Atiku and Obi combined got 54% and both parties feel that they might have won on a joint ticket in 2027.

Omokri, however, noted that there is no coalition, adding, “If Peter Obi says he’s running, if Atiku says he’s running…, if we are seeing Amaechi submitting a proposal to the ADC officially for a one term presidency. I mean, have you seen any coalition there?

“There’s no coalition. What you’re just seeing is egos, different egos. The man, Peter Obi, based on what has happened in the past, it’s very unlikely to get the ticket of the ADC.

“Because if you see what’s happening with the ADC, he doesn’t have that clout within the ADC. I have a good idea who’s likely going to get a ticket. It’s likely going to go to a Northerner.

“And the man [Obi] has said, I’m definitely going to run. So, there is no coalition, there are no general forces, this is just egos going here, right, and there.”

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2027: I’ll defeat Matawalle by 10am – Gov Lawal

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Ahead of 2027 general election, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has claimed that he will defeat the former Governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, if he makes a come back to run.

Lawal stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.

The statement comes amid speculation that he might switch camp to newly unveiled African Democratic Congress, ADC, following the intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

However, the governor said he remains a member of the PDP, while also dismissing speculations that he was about to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking about what would happen if the current Minister of Defense (State) Matawalle decides to seek a ticket for the governorship position under the APC, governor Lawal said he thinks there is no reason for him to fear anybody.

He said: “The truth of the matter is, when I contested in 2023 all these forces were there. They were all in APC when I contested in 2023 and I still won.

“What do you think will change now, in 2027 is it not the same Matawalle that I took over from? I’m praying to God that he should be the one under APC, and let’s see what will happen in 2027 I’m sure history will repeat itself.

“He’s (Matawalle) the one that will be an easier race, in fact, by 10am, it should be a walk over inshallah.”

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Tinubu building on Buhari’s reforms – Former SGF, Boss Mustapha

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Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is building on the foundation of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mustapha said this at the public presentation of a book, “According to the President”, written by former presidential aide, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mustapha highlighted Buhari’s legacy of institutional reforms and praised Tinubu for sustaining and building upon them.

The Ex-SGF stressed that both administrations exemplify a commitment to systemic governance rather than personality-driven politics.

“President Buhari governed with duty rather than drama. He was driven by principles, not applause,” Mustapha stated.

Mustapha also highlighted key policy interventions during Buhari’s tenure, including the Petroleum Industry Act, large-scale infrastructure projects, military retooling, and the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP.

He hailed the former president for advancing reforms in agriculture, power, education, and the digital economy, describing these efforts as part of a broader architecture of inclusive development.

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