How Hired Thugs Obstructed My Visit to Benue State
Yesterday, I attended the opening of the national campaign office of an opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde in Abuja. My presence was intended to demonstrate that politics can and should be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility. As Governor of Anambra State, I made it a point during electioneering to welcome visiting opposition members personally, provided they acted within the ambits of the law.
Guided by that same commitment to decency over partisanship, I travelled to Benue this morning, arriving at approximately 9:00 a.m. on a purely humanitarian mission: to visit the grieving families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata, where over 270 people were massacred.
Regrettably, our convoy was prevented from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.” It was deeply distressing to witness such hostility. I came to Benue not for partisan politics, but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer comfort at a moment of unimaginable sorrow. That a mission intended purely to show solidarity, compassion, and support could be obstructed in this manner is deeply alarming.
At a time when our nation should be united in grief and resolute in preventing further bloodshed, we must reject any action capable of deepening our divisions. The people of Benue - and all Nigerians - deserve to sleep without fear. They deserve to travel without fear. They deserve to cultivate their land without fear. Above all, they deserve a country where the state places the protection of human life far above political expediency.
Although we were unable to reach the community today, our thoughts and prayers remain steadfastly with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community. We shall continue to work until the primary responsibility of government - the safeguarding of every Nigerian life - is restored. Until then, we cannot truly say we have built the nation our people deserve.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Yesterday, 8th September, following the unfortunate incident in Benue State, where our delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by the recent attacks, I proceeded to Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where I visited an IDP camp housing over 500 displaced persons.
The situation in Mangu is deeply disturbing. Over 45,000 people have reportedly been displaced, while more than 20 communities have been sacked by terrorists. These are Nigerians who want nothing more than to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, cultivate their farms, and live their lives in peace and dignity.
As I have always maintained, as long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced.
I therefore urge the government to do more to secure these beleaguered communities and restore the confidence of our people. The right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood must be protected for every Nigerian, irrespective of where they live, their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
Our displaced citizens must not become forgotten Nigerians. They are citizens of our country whose homes, livelihoods and futures have been disrupted. Government must create the conditions for their safe and dignified return, secure their communities and support them to rebuild their lives.
I concluded my visit by offering my modest support to the displaced families as a gesture of solidarity, compassion and shared humanity.
The New Nigeria we seek must be a country where every citizen can live, work, farm, raise a family and pursue their dreams in peace and security.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
I am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State.
The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy.
Authorities must remember that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement. This right applies even more strongly to Mr Obi, a former governor and leading opposition figure.
The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted. It must also guarantee the safety and free movement of our candidate and his entourage.
I further urge the President to caution state governors, particularly those in his party against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy.
I also call on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of this incident and to urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders, and safeguard democratic freedoms. - RMK
MY ENGAGEMENTS ACROSS THREE STATES-KOGI, BENUE, AND ENUGU
After my engagements in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, 4th September, and yesterday, 5th September, I travelled to Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. There, alongside our Kogi East Senatorial Candidate, High Chief Peter Ameh, I met with stakeholders and our party faithful.
I reaffirmed our commitment to addressing the major challenges facing our people, especially insecurity, healthcare, education, employment, and poverty alleviation. I also assured our large base of supporters that these issues would remain central to our efforts.
We urged our supporters to remain dedicated to the democratic process, turn out in large numbers to vote, and, above all, safeguard and defend their votes from the polling unit through the final declaration of results.
I also made brief visits to Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State. During these stops, we continued engaging with our people, including traders operating along these routes. I heard their concerns and assured them that, under my leadership, they would have a government that recognises their difficulties, prioritises their welfare, and provides an environment in which their businesses can grow.
Across all these engagements, the concerns expressed by our people remain essentially the same. They seek security in their communities, meaningful employment opportunities for our youths, access to properly functioning hospitals and schools for their children, and the means and resources to lead decent, dignified lives.
These are not excessive demands. They represent the basic expectations citizens hold of a government dedicated to their welfare.
Following these engagements, I travelled to Okpo, Olamaboro LGA, Kogi State, where I participated in the 65th birthday celebration of a highly respected servant of God, Evangelist Sunday Oguche. I also had the privilege of engaging with guests at the event and members of the church.
Evangelist Oguche is not merely a preacher of the Gospel; he is also a dedicated community builder who has committed himself to serving God and making a positive difference in the lives of his people.
I extend my heartfelt prayers and very best wishes to him as he marks this significant milestone. May God continue to strengthen him, grant him sound health, and bless him with many more productive years in His service.
I ended the day with a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Willy Ezugwu, Eze Ka Eze I of Ideke Land, and Eze Ogbozalla III of Opi Kingdom, Nsukka, Enugu State.
His Royal Majesty is a true Nigerian with a profound belief in the future of our country. He graciously offered prayers and bestowed his royal blessings upon me. I am profoundly thankful for his fatherly counsel, encouragement, and prayers.
As we move forward on this journey, our message remains unequivocal: Nigeria can succeed, and government can be made to serve its people.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
I was in Gumel, Jigawa State, today to offer my heartfelt condolences to the good people of the Emirate on the passing of the Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, CON.
In my remarks, I described the late Emir as a distinguished traditional ruler, a beacon of wisdom, and a father to his people, whose nearly 46-year reign was defined by peace, progressive leadership, and the faithful preservation of the Emirate’s rich cultural heritage.
I also take this opportunity to congratulate his son, the Ciroman Gumel, Lawan Ahmed Muhammad, on his appointment to succeed his father as the new Emir of Gumel. - RMK
My condolences to the people of Zurmi and Gumel over the passing of two distinguished traditional rulers.
I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the people of Zurmi Emirate in Zamfara State and the people of Gumel Emirate in Jigawa State regarding the demise of two esteemed traditional leaders: His Royal Highness, Alhaji Bello Sulaiman, Sarkin Zamfara, Zurmi, and His Royal Highness, Emir Ahmed Sani II, Emir of Gumel, who passed away in Egypt.
Their deaths mark considerable losses to their respective emirates and to Nigeria. As custodians of our culture, history, and traditions, the Royal Fathers played vital roles in safeguarding the identity of their people and fostering peace, unity, and social harmony.
I sincerely sympathize with their families, the traditional institutions, and the people of Zurmi and Gumel Emirates during this challenging time. May Almighty Allah forgive their shortcomings, grant them Aljannatul Firdaus, and provide their families and subjects with the strength and resilience to endure these irreplaceable losses. -PO
Before I left Port Harcourt, we paid a condolence visit to His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi, the Vice Presidential candidate of the ADC, in Rivers State.
We expressed our heartfelt sympathies over the passing of his mother ahead of the funeral activities. - RMK
As part of our engagements in Port Harcourt, I was honoured to join His Excellency Peter Obi at the “Obi Talks Nigeria” Port Harcourt Town Hall.
This landmark gathering brought together members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the NDC Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, party leaders, members of the NDC, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the Obidient Movement, and other patriotic Nigerians united by a shared vision for a better Nigeria.
In my remarks on the state of the nation, I noted that the deep-seated anger among Nigerians transcends regions and is driven by widespread hardship and poor governance.
I further charged our people to brace up for the coming elections. History has shown that the government of the day can be defeated; we must therefore work tirelessly and purposefully towards that eventuality. - RMK
I exchanged pleasantries with the Muslim faithful at the First Port Harcourt Central Mosque after Juma’at Prayer, today.
May Allah accept from us. - RMK
MY VISIT TO EDA PLAZA, JABI
Yesterday, I visited Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja, where more than 45 traders lost their shops to the recent inferno that gutted part of the complex.
I met with some of the affected traders, many of whom were still clearing the debris and trying to salvage whatever could be recovered from the ruins. I expressed my deepest sympathy to them and pledged my support, however modest, as they begin the difficult journey of rebuilding their livelihoods.
For many of these traders, their shops represent years of hard work, savings, sacrifice and hope. What was lost is therefore far more than physical structures and merchandise; livelihoods have been disrupted, dreams have been set back, and families have been placed under additional hardship.
My consistent position has been that government must always care for its people, particularly in moments of difficulty and vulnerability. In times like this, leadership must be measured not only by what government builds, but also by how it stands with citizens when they lose what they have painstakingly built.
I pray that God Almighty grants the affected traders the strength, resources and opportunity to recover from this painful loss, and that their businesses and livelihoods will be restored.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Yesterday, alongside the gubernatorial, senatorial, and other candidates of our party, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), we were hosted by our presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, at the Obidient Headquarters in Abuja.
Our discussions focused primarily on strategies to expand and deepen the party’s reach, taking our message of national redemption to rural communities and the deep grassroots.
Our dynamic partnership with His Excellency Peter Obi is rooted in a shared commitment to lifting vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty, reducing the number of out-of-school children, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, securing our nation, uniting our people, and moving Nigeria from consumption to production.
Nigeria will be OK. - RMK
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, they are looking for power. Mr Peter Obi is looking for service...
- Ibrahim Abdulkarim, NDC Chieftain, speaking on the road to the 2027 polls
#PoliticsToday
SENATOR KWANKWASO VISITS THE OBIDIENT HEADQUARTERS
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting my dear elder brother and our vice presidential candidate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside the gubernatorial, senatorial, and other candidates of our great party, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), from various states across the country, at the Obidient Headquarters in Abuja.
Our discussions focused primarily on strategies to expand and deepen the reach of our party and take our message of national redemption to rural communities and the hinterlands.
I reassured our candidates of my continued support in their respective states and constituencies. I also reaffirmed my commitment to working with them and undertaking the necessary groundwork to secure victory for our party.
My partnership with His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa @KwankwasoRM is a partnership to rescue Nigeria from the calamitous and ineffective leadership that has brought our country to its present condition.
Our commitment is to commence lifting vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty, reduce the number of out-of-school children, support small and medium-sized businesses, secure our nation, unite our people, and move Nigeria from consumption to production.
A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO