Obi vows to secure Nigeria, end hunger

•  Visits Yelewata attack victims, pays homage to Tor Tiv

•  Failed 112 TV demo exposes APC’s governance failure — NDC

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has promised to secure lives and property, tackle hunger and create jobs if elected president in 2027.

Obi gave the assurance during a town hall meeting in Benue State as part of his campaign and humanitarian visit to Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area. He was accompanied by his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The former Anambra State governor said he was seeking the people’s mandate to unite and secure the country, insisting that a new Nigeria was possible.

“If we are in government, nobody will witness what is happening in the country today.

“If you kidnap school children or kill anybody and try to run into the bush, we will go into the bush with you and we will get you. We must stop this act. Nigeria must be secured,” he said.

Obi also promised that no Nigerian would go to bed hungry, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to translate increased government revenue into improved living conditions.

“ Nigeria has gotten more money but citizens do not know where the money is going,” he said.

He lamented the alleged absence of Federal Government projects in Benue, promising to prioritise youth employment, agriculture, education and healthcare.

“We want to build a better society for you. For the youths, we want to ensure you finish school and be able to start your own business or get a job.

“Those with no jobs today, we assure you of our commitment that you will have something to do. Youth unemployment is unacceptable. We will empower the people through agriculture. We will build a society where a child of nobody will be somebody without knowing anybody,” he said.

He added that his administration would fight corruption and ensure public resources served the interests of citizens.

“As part of our agenda, we will fight corruption such that public funds would be used for public good, we would invest in public healthcare and also invest in education,” he said.

Earlier, Obi visited Yelewata to sympathise with residents and families of victims of the June 2025 attacks.

He also paid homage to the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, at his palace in Gboko, where he sought royal blessings and held discussions with the traditional ruler.

The monarch appreciated the visit, prayed for Obi’s protection and successful outing in the state, and called for sustained prayers for Benue and Nigeria.

Obi explained that his visit combined humanitarian and political engagements, adding that he considered it important to pay his respects to the traditional institution.

He was accompanied to the palace by the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, Rev. Pastor Tor Ujah, other clerics and party supporters.

Obi and his entourage were received by large crowds of supporters and well-wishers in Makurdi, Yelewata and Gboko.

Failed 112 TV demo exposes APC’s governance failure

Meanwhile, the NDC has criticised President Tinubu’s campaign spokesperson, Mallam Alwan Hassan, over his failed attempt to demonstrate the functionality of Nigeria’s 112 emergency line on national television, describing the incident as a national embarrassment and a reflection of the APC government’s failure.

In a statement, yesterday, signed by the Spokesperson of the NDC National Campaign Council, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party urged the APC-led government to admit its failures, stop deceiving Nigerians and prepare to leave office in 2027.

It said the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would provide more efficient leadership and restore good governance.

The statement read: “The failed attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s Campaign Spokesperson, Mallam Alwan Hassan, to demonstrate the functionality of Nigeria’s 112 emergency line on national television was nothing short of a national embarrassment, and a prime example of the total flop of APC government that we’ve been speaking about.

Culled from Vanguard