News
GOVERNOR ALIA SHOULD FACE HIS FAILURES AND LEAVE AKUME OUT OF PDP MATTERS
The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has been drawn to a mischievous and apparently sponsored report published in Sahara Reporters alleging that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume is plotting to impose Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as Governor of Benue State in 2027.
Ordinarily, such a publication, built entirely on speculation, anonymous claims, recycled propaganda and unsubstantiated allegations, would not deserve a response. However, because it seeks to malign respected personalities and insult the integrity of the PDP, it has become necessary to set the records straight.
First, the report is an insult to the Peoples Democratic Party, the oldest surviving political party in Nigeria, a party that has democratically produced presidents, governors, members of the National Assembly and State Assemblies, as well as local government chairmen and councilors for nearly three decades.
To suggest that Chief Aondoakaa emerged as PDP’s governorship candidate through the influence of Senator George Akume is to insult every leader, stakeholder and member of the PDP in Benue State who participated in the process that produced the governorship candidate among many others. Chief Aondoakaa did not emerge through the sponsorship of Senator Akume or any external political actor. He emerged through the internal democratic processes of the PDP.
The sponsors of this report apparently believe that every political party operates like their camp where candidates were handpicked and imposed on the majority of party members in phantom primaries that were later declared invalid by the national leadership of their party. The PDP is reputed for internal democracy and due process.
Secondly, it is equally insulting to Senator George Akume, the leader of APC in Benue State and indeed North Central Nigeria, a former Governor of Benue State, former Minister, distinguished Senator for three terms and currently Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to suggest that he has abandoned his constitutional responsibilities to become involved in determining who emerges as candidate of another political party.
The claim that Senator Akume is supporting the PDP is particularly amusing. If that were true, why are some of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s most trusted political associates, appointees and supporters abandoning his camp in droves and gravitating towards the Akume political structure and other political parties, including the PDP?
The truth is that Governor Alia has failed to manage his political camp, a development that accounts for the mass defections that have hit the camp. He is also presiding over a government facing increasing dissatisfaction across Benue State because of its inability to fulfill many of the promises he made to the people.
After benefiting from unprecedented federal allocations arising from fuel subsidy removal, Benue people expected transformational projects and tangible improvements in security, agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Instead, what they have largely witnessed are endless propaganda, political vendettas, abandoned promises and projects that raise more questions than answers.
The so-called underpass at High Level Junction in Makurdi remains a glaring example. The underpass has become synonymous with flooding concerns in the area due to the apparent absence of an effective drainage solution. What was presented as a flagship achievement has become a symbol of poor planning.
It is therefore not surprising that those who cannot defend their abysmal performance have resorted to manufacturing political enemies.
Governor Alia should spend less time sponsoring propaganda and more time studying what his colleagues across the country are doing with the enormous resources made available to states following the removal of fuel subsidy. Governors such as Abdullahi Sule, Hope Uzodimma, Umar Bago Alex Otti, among others, have utilized increased revenues to embark on major infrastructure projects, expand development programmes, improve public services and aggressively confront security challenges in their respective states.
Benue people expected similar results after the unprecedented inflow of federal allocations to the state. Unfortunately, rather than showcasing landmark achievements commensurate with the resources available to him, Governor Alia appears more interested in political warfare, media attacks and the manufacturing of imaginary enemies. The people of Benue State need explanations for the utilization of public funds, not endless propaganda designed to distract attention from the government’s shortcomings.
On the allegations concerning the Zaki-Biam compensation matter, Nigerians are aware that legal disputes, appeals and negotiations involving judgments against governments often span years and involve multiple institutions, courts and administrations.
The attempt to reduce a complex legal matter to a simplistic narrative blaming one individual is dishonest and intellectually fraudulent.
More importantly, it is instructive that the same allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters publication are identical to the talking points that have for days been circulated by appointees and supporters of Governor Alia.
The coincidence is too striking to ignore. The language is the same. The accusations are the same. The political objective is the same. The desperation is the same.
Benue people can therefore draw their own conclusions about the likely sponsors of this latest propaganda enterprise.
The allegation that Senator Akume, Emmanuel Jime and others are funding PDP candidates to impeach Governor Alia is perhaps the most ridiculous claim in the entire report.
Where is the evidence?
Who provided the funds?
Which candidates received them?
What transactions support this allegation?
None.
The authors merely assembled rumours, wrapped them in anonymous sources and presented same as facts.
It is crass political blackmail.
Governor Alia and his supporters should understand a simple truth: the growing challenge confronting his administration is not Senator Akume, the PDP, Emmanuel Jime or Chief Michael Aondoakaa.
The challenge is the poor record of his own government.
The challenge is insecurity that continues to displace communities.
The challenge is farmers who cannot safely return to their lands.
The challenge is disappointed youths who expected jobs and opportunities.
The challenge is Benue people who are asking what became of the enormous resources that have accrued to the state under Alia administration.
The challenge is the widening gap between promises and performance.
Since the emergence of Chief Aondoakaa as PDP gubernatorial candidate, Governor Alia and his supporters have gone into panic mode, manufacturing all forms of falsehood to tarnish his reputation, knowing that the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice can defeat him in an election, any day and time.
No amount of propaganda against Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, will change these realities.
No amount of blackmail will erase public dissatisfaction.
No sponsored publication can stop the democratic aspirations of the people of Benue State.
As 2027 approaches, Governor Alia and his handlers should leave conspiracy theories and spend more time explaining their stewardship to the people.
The PDP remains focused on offering Benue State credible leadership, practical solutions and a pathway to security, prosperity and accountable governance.
The era of blaming others for self-inflicted political wounds is rapidly coming to an end.
Signed:
Bright Yima Antyo
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Benue State
July 19, 2026
By Emmanuel Kuza
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Abuga Ovie, has described the name Ombugadu as a political brand, saying the popularity and wide acceptance of the name have made David Emmanuel Ombugadu a major force in the state’s political landscape.
Ovie, who stated this in an interview on Tuesday, said what started as opposition from some of Ombugadu’s biological brothers and people he described as fathers and uncles who betrayed him for personal political interests had now assumed a wider dimension, with political parties allegedly joining the battle against him.
According to him, the latest development was an attempt to undermine the political value of the Ombugadu name by presenting another person with the same surname, describing it as an indication of how far some political actors were prepared to go to weaken the PDP governorship candidate.
“Ombugadu is a brand, not a title. The people are not fools. They know their own. You cannot simply bring another person bearing the same name and expect the people to forget the political identity that Ombugadu has built over the years,” he said.
He further alleged that a former governor was working to introduce a political associate who had served as Accountant-General of Nasarawa State into the political equation, with the alleged objective of destabilising the PDP and weakening its chances by ensuring that the party fields a less competitive candidate in 2027.
“The plan, as we understand it, is to destabilise the PDP and make sure the party presents a weak candidate, thereby creating an advantage for the former governor’s preferred candidate. But all those efforts have proved abortive because the national leadership of the PDP stood its ground and refused to lose its best bet for the 2027 governorship election,” Ovie said.
The PDP chieftain said the resolve of the national leadership to retain Ombugadu had demonstrated the confidence the party had in his capacity to win the governorship election, despite what he described as attempts by some political actors to frustrate his ambition.
Ovie urged political parties and their leaders to resolve their internal differences instead of concentrating their efforts on Ombugadu, whom he compared to David in the Bible, saying he remained focused despite betrayal and opposition from those close to him.
“Ombugadu is like David in the Bible. Even when his brothers forsook him, he remained focused. Today, despite the people who have betrayed him, he remains focused and has a blueprint that can rescue Nasarawa State,” he said.
He said political parties should concentrate on presenting their programmes and convincing voters about how they intend to address the challenges confronting the state rather than expending their energy on attempts to stop Ombugadu.
“Political parties should fix their problems instead of wasting their strength fighting Ombugadu. Let everybody bring their blueprint before the people and explain what they intend to do for Nasarawa State,” he said.
Ovie maintained that the 2027 election should be about ideas, competence and the future of Nasarawa State, rather than attempts to manipulate political structures or undermine individuals perceived to enjoy strong grassroots support.
He urged the people of the state, particularly the Eggon community, to remain politically vigilant and resist what he described as efforts to make them settle for less, insisting that voters would ultimately determine who enjoys their confidence at the polls.
Reduce repeated references to Ombugadu
By Israel Adamu, Jos
Two hundred widows from communities across Langtang North Central State Constituency of Plateau State have benefited from an empowerment outreach organised by Gimbiya Gani Nandir Lar under the Jagoran Talakawa movement.
The outreach, held at Pilgani in Langtang North Local Government Area, was aimed at supporting vulnerable women and drawing attention to the challenges faced by widows, particularly those struggling to provide food, pay school fees and meet other basic needs for their families.
The organiser, Nandir Lar, who is the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Langtang North Central State Constituency, said the gesture was motivated by compassion and concern for vulnerable members of the society.
She stressed that the outreach was not a political programme but an expression of love and support for humanity.
Nandir Lar said: “The plight of widows may not always make headlines, but their struggles are real, painful and deserving of our collective attention.
“This is simply an expression of compassion and love for humanity. It is not a political programme.
“Our constituency is home to people with diverse needs, including mothers, widows and young people who are seeking opportunities to improve their lives.”
Former Provost of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Amos Chirfat, commended the initiative, saying it had brought smiles to the faces of vulnerable women in the constituency.
Minority Leader of the Langtang North Legislative Council, Dirya Sheni, also commended Nandir Lar for supporting widows and other vulnerable members of the community.
At the end of the outreach, each of the 200 beneficiaries received a 10-kilogramme bag of corn flour, seasoning and N10,000 cash
By Francis Wilfred
The Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) have expressed commitment to ensure a full compliance with the Anti Money Laundering/Counter Finance on Terrorism/Counter Proliferation Financing, (AML/CFT/CPF) laws within the Nigeria’s real estate sector.
They made the resolve during a stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday, September 10, 2026
The engagement focused on Mutual Evaluation readiness, risk-based supervision, beneficial ownership transparency, customer due diligence, internal controls and stronger collaboration between SCUML and the real estate sector.
Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Ibinabo Amachree, speaking on behalf of SCUML highlighted the strategic role of real estate operators in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system, particularly given the sector’s vulnerability to money laundering and other financial crime risks.
Amachree encouraged REDAN members to move beyond registration to ensure that compliance is embedded in their day-to-day operations. He mentioned the areas to include: understanding institutional risks, knowing customers and beneficial owners, identifying politically exposed persons, conducting appropriate sanctions screening, maintaining effective internal controls and meeting applicable reporting obligations
He, therefore, reaffirmed readiness to working closely with REDAN and other stakeholders to improve compliance, build capacity and promote a stronger culture of accountability across the real estate sector
“The message is clear: effective compliance is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about protecting businesses, strengthening the real estate sector and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system”, she said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of REDAN, Lagos state, Mr Tony Kolawole pledged readiness to partner with SCUML in ensuring compliance with AML/CFT/CPF in the real estate sector to uphold financial integrity.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for REDAN members to share practical regulatory and operational challenges affecting the sector, reinforcing the importance of continuous dialogue between regulators and industry stakeholders.
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