PETER OBI BARRED FROM BENUE IDP CAMPS AS POLITICAL TENSIONS MOUNT
Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has publicly voiced his disappointment after the Benue State Government reportedly obstructed his humanitarian visit to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the state. Obi, known for his philanthropic visits to violence-afflicted areas across Nigeria, revealed that this episode has forced him to reconsider how he navigates political terrains going forward.
Obi had slated April 13 and 14, 2025, for visits to Plateau and Benue States, respectively. His Plateau engagement went as planned, thanks to coordination with Governor Caleb Mutfwang. However, Benue proved more complicated. Obi said repeated attempts to speak with Governor Hyacinth Alia were rebuffed. His team was eventually informed that Alia was in a crucial meeting, and a call would follow. It never came.
To Obi’s surprise, upon arrival in Makurdi, his security team relayed a government-issued statement that essentially barred him from proceeding with his visit. The state government not only blocked the visit but also publicly revealed his itinerary—an itinerary he had privately shared with officials for security purposes.
Obi emphasized that his visit was entirely humanitarian, with stops at nursing schools and camps housing thousands displaced by conflict. He cited past humanitarian missions—including one to Haiti, cleared with then-President Goodluck Jonathan—as evidence of his consistency. “I have always stood by those in distress, regardless of politics,” he said.
This new confrontation has added strain to the growing friction between opposition figures and state institutions, especially in regions governed by the ruling APC. Obi concluded his statement by affirming his continued dedication to the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
APC’S AYEKOOTO MOCKS ATIKU-EL-RUFAI COALITION
A leading voice within the APC, Ayekooto Akindele, has derided the emerging opposition alliance led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. In a provocative Facebook post, Akindele declared that even if insurgents like Abubakar Shekau or bandit leader Bello Turji joined the coalition, it would still fail spectacularly in 2027.
Akindele’s remarks come after reports surfaced that Atiku and El-Rufai are engineering a broad coalition of disenchanted politicians across party lines—including former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. Akindele, however, argued the trio lack a political base strong enough to form a viable front.
“Obi, Atiku, and El-Rufai don’t control any political party. How do you build a credible opposition from there?” he asked. He contrasted their efforts with the strategic 2015 APC merger, where Muhammadu Buhari’s CPC joined forces with Bola Tinubu’s ACN, drawing widespread defectors and successfully unseating the PDP.
He concluded that the context of 2015—particularly Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid after completing Yar’Adua’s term—does not apply to Tinubu’s current first term. “In the end, they’ll blame INEC again,” he scoffed.
BODE GEORGE REJECTS ATIKU AS PDP LEADER
Continuing, PDP elder statesman Chief Bode George has openly dismissed Atiku Abubakar’s assumed leadership of the party, arguing that being a former presidential candidate does not grant him authoritative control. In a televised interview, George stressed that Atiku’s pursuit of an opposition coalition is at odds with the PDP’s internal direction.
George warned that if Atiku attempts to run again in 2027, it would spell the “end of the PDP,” citing the party’s tradition of rotational presidency. “Eight years in the North must be followed by eight years in the South,” he said. “If Atiku contests, we will break our founding principle.”
He accused Atiku of prioritizing personal ambition over party unity and advised that any coalition-building must be done within a collective PDP framework, not through unilateral moves.
TINUBU MOURNS PLATEAU MASSACRE, URGES MUTFWANG TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the latest mass killing in Plateau State, where over 45 people were murdered in a brutal midnight attack on Zike Kimakpa village, Bassa LGA. The attack, which adds to the long history of violence in the region, has plunged the community into mourning.
In a statement released by his media adviser Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu offered condolences to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the affected families. He called for unity across ethnic and religious lines and urged community and political leaders to collaborate on ending the cycle of violence.
“The root causes must be addressed—no more delay,” Tinubu said, referencing the decades-old ethno-religious crises that have plagued Plateau. He emphasized the federal government’s commitment to supporting Mutfwang’s peace efforts and instructed security agencies to swiftly investigate and prosecute those responsible.
ASIF AND UNDP MOVE TOWARD YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PARTNERSHIP
The Activate Success International Foundation (ASIF), led by media entrepreneur Love Idoko-Uloko, is on the verge of sealing a strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance youth development in Nigeria.
Following high-level meetings with UN Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa and Nigeria’s UNDP Representative Elsie Attafuah, Idoko-Uloko revealed that talks focused on scaling ASIF’s work in entrepreneurship and leadership training.
ASIF, through its Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (YEEP), has already impacted millions of youths—particularly corps members—through skills training, grant funding, and its flagship TV show. The UNDP partnership is expected to amplify ASIF’s reach and influence.
Idoko-Uloko, who received a national productivity award in 2023, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to fighting poverty and joblessness through innovative, scalable programs tailored for Nigerian youth.
PDP GOVERNORS REJECT COALITION TALKS, REAFFIRM INDEPENDENT 2027 STRATEGY
In a move that deepens internal fractures in the opposition, the PDP Governors Forum has rejected any merger or coalition with other parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Meeting in Ibadan, the governors released a communique stating that while the PDP welcomes new members, it will not subordinate itself to any alliance.
Signed by forum chair and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the communique signals a direct rebuke of Atiku Abubakar’s coalition-building efforts. The governors argued that the PDP, as a foundational national party, must retain its identity while absorbing like-minded individuals—not merge into a new bloc.
They also decried rising insecurity in Borno, Katsina, and Edo States, calling for community-centered approaches that empower local governments and security structures.
UBA SANI SAYS KADUNA BECOMING A ONE-PARTY STATE AS OPPOSITION LEADERS DEFECT TO APC
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani declared on Monday that the state is on the verge of becoming a one-party APC stronghold. Speaking in Zaria, Sani said recent defections from the House of Representatives and the Kaduna Assembly show growing confidence in APC leadership.
He credited this trend to inclusive governance and the party’s positive impact under his watch. Sani made the remarks while applauding Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who had just distributed over 100 vehicles and 1,000 motorcycles to his constituents.
The governor praised Abbas’ efforts in drawing federal projects to the state and commended his leadership as “a source of pride for Kaduna and Nigeria.”
