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Why I Lent Peter Obi My Vehicle During Benue Visit — Ortom Explains

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Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has explained why he provided his vehicle to the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during the latter’s visit to the state.

Ortom, through his media aide, Terver Akase, said it would have been petty and unbecoming of him to deny Obi transportation while the former Anambra State governor was in Benue on a humanitarian mission.

He was reacting to allegations by the Benue State Government that he facilitated Obi’s visit to the state and provided the vehicle used by the presidential candidate.

Ortom described the decision to lend his vehicle to Obi as a simple act of courtesy and hospitality that should not be politicised.

According to him, Obi is a former governor, a presidential candidate and one of Nigeria’s prominent political figures, making it appropriate for him to receive basic courtesies during his visit.

He said refusing to assist Obi would have been “petty, inhospitable and beneath the dignity of a former governor.”

“Peter Obi is a former governor, a presidential candidate and one of the most prominent political figures in the country. Imagine how it would have sounded if Chief Ortom had refused to assist him with transportation while he was in Benue on a humanitarian mission to visit internally displaced persons,” he said.

Ortom further argued that providing transportation for such a visitor should ordinarily have been the responsibility of the Benue State Government.

He accused the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia of attempting to turn an ordinary gesture of hospitality into a political controversy.

“That the Alia administration is now trying to make a controversy out of what was merely a humane, courteous and statesmanlike gesture exposes the poverty of its argument and the desperation behind its propaganda,” he said.

The former governor maintained that political leaders should be able to extend courtesies to one another regardless of their political differences.

“In other climes, leaders are commended for extending courtesies across political divides, not vilified for doing so,” he added.

Ortom also dismissed allegations that he was being “double-faced” over his political allegiance, describing the claim as laughable.

He said he had always been open about the candidates he supported and would continue to stand by candidates he publicly endorsed.

The former governor recalled that he openly supported Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election but said his current political position was different, noting that he had now declared support for President Bola Tinubu.

Alia, Ortom Trade Words Over Obi’s Visit
The controversy followed Obi’s visit to Makurdi last Tuesday as part of a planned condolence visit to families of victims of the June 2025 massacre in Yelewata.

Obi, who had arrived in the state capital, was expected to proceed to Yelewata but his convoy was reportedly stopped by some youths around Gyado Villa, a few kilometres from the Makurdi Airport.

Following the incident, the Benue State Government, through the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, accused Ortom of facilitating Obi’s visit.

Tersoo alleged that the former governor had masterminded the visit and questioned how Ortom, who had publicly expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election, could provide his vehicle for another presidential candidate.

The government also said it had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Obi’s visit.

According to Tersoo, information obtained during the investigation indicated that the vehicle used to convey Obi from Makurdi Airport was linked to Ortom.

He identified the vehicle as a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number ABUJA: GWA 608 BT, which he said was registered in Ortom’s name and associated with his Judges Quarters address in Makurdi.

Tersoo said details of the vehicle were obtained from Federal Road Safety Corps vehicle information records.

He questioned the political implication of Ortom making his vehicle available to Obi despite his claimed support for Tinubu.

“The question is, how can someone who publicly says he is working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu make his vehicle available for the use of another presidential candidate?” Tersoo asked.

The dispute has further widened the political differences between Alia and his predecessor as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ortom, however, insists that lending his vehicle to Obi was simply an act of courtesy to a fellow former governor and should not be interpreted as evidence of political collaboration.

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Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report

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A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.

The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.

The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.

It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.

On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.

“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.

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Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency

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Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.

The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.

According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.

The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.

The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.

The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.

With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.

Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.

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Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.

“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.

Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message

Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.

At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.

NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027

The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.

The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.

Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.

The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.

Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign

Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.

For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.

Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.

Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.

The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.

As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.

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