POLITICS
2027: Tinubu Accords Benue Security Top Priority, Tompolo Tells Supporters
Leader of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Government Tompolo, has called on the people of Benue state to come out enmasse and vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election as he has demonstrated great concern for the security of life and property of the people, with the creation of the 5 Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital.
He described Tinubu as a leader, who said meant well for Nigeria and has shown this through bold policies and reforms including the State Police Bill, Local Government Autonomy Bill, Electricity Bill, and removal of petrol subsidy as well as the student loans programme, NELFUND, among others.
Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, stated this in Makurdi, on Thursday, during the inauguration of the state chapter of the movement and distribution of 25 campaign vehicles to the state coordinators.
According to Tompolo, who was represented by Kestin Pondi, Managing director of Tantita, only a leader with love for his people could come up with such policies within such a short period of time.
“He is a president that wants Nigeria to be better than he met it. Tinubu is doing what no leader before him had the courage to do even though he knew it will turn the people against him.
“We like to compare Nigeria with Asian countries that are doing so well but one thing we forget to remember is that these countries reforms were done in more than eight years,” he said.
Continuing, Tompolo said: “They had bold leaders, they had courageous leaders who said we must reform and they stood by those reforms and today, they are the envy of the world. They are some of the most developed and civilised countries of the world.”
“Here in Nigeria, we have Tinubu, a man that is as courageous or even more courageous than those leaders. The man said we must reform and he has embarked on the reforms,” he added.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, in his remarks said President Tinubu was the secret behind all the development the people of the state praise him for.
“Each time you thank me for working for Benue people, that is the man behind it,” he stated.
Alia showered praises on President Tinubu for making it possible for governors to work for their people, emphasising that Benue is working because of Tinubu’s support.
He called on the people to campaign assiduously and vote massively for Tinubu’s re-election to continue to enjoy the policies and programmes of his administration.
The governor appreciated the president for prioritising the security of Benue, particularly for siting the 5 division in Makurdi earlier in the year, a development that had led to deployment of the military to crisis areas and borders, bringing about security, such that some previously internally displaced persons were returning home on their own to continue with farming.
This development, the governor pointed out, will ensure Benue maintains its place as the food basket of the nation.
Alia also listed factories the state had built, the 670 kilometres road network, free basic education, rehabilitation, mechanised agriculture, and upgrade and equipping of health centres and hospitals as some of the things the state was enjoying from the Tinubu administration, adding that there is more in stock if he gets re-elected.
Earlier, National Coordinator of the Movement, Comrade Sunday Asuku, noted that Nigeria is currently on the right trajectory be ause a competent leader is in the saddle.
According to him, the security of Benue, which had been plagued by insecurity for years, is a priority by the Tinubu administration, hence the establishment of an army division in the state among other measures, which have improved the state’s security.
Asuku said a vote for Tinubu will ensure that his good initiatives for the state are fully delivered.
The National coordinator also advised the voters to ignore leaders who swore to remove petrol subsidy but became turncoats after seeing that it is a tough choice, but rather vote for a leader like Tinubu who has brought bold reforms are laying a solid foundation for a better Nigeria.
“Say no to cowardice, no to those only interested in selling Nigeria’s assets. Ask them what they did when they were in office. A vote for Tinubu is a vote for NELFUND, improved security and better infrastructure,” he added.
Also speaking, former governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam, called on the people to vote for Tinubu, pointing out that his policies are laying a foundation for young Nigerians.
“Yes, there’s suffering now but there’s no way you can build a future without experiencing some pains. You’re experiencing some hardship but tomorrow will be better.
“We are suffering today because those steps were not taken by previous administrations. So if you have a leader that is taking steps towards building a nigeria for the future he deserves support,” he stated.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
A bill for an Act to move the nation to developing the capacity to design, manufacture and commercialize drones, passed second reading on Wednesday, in the House of Representatives.
The “Bill for an act to provide for the development, promotion and industrialisation of the Nigerian drone industry; and for related matters,” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rep.
Benjamin Kalu and 12 others.Leading the debate, one of the co-sponsors, Rep. Satomi Ahmad said the Bill seeks to establish a legal and institutional framework for the development, promotion and industrialisation of Nigeria’s drone industry.
Ahmad explained that it focused on indigenous research, design, manufacturing, commercialisation; reducing dependence on imported technology; building local content and technical capacity.
He said that it is also aimed at attracting investment; creating jobs; and positioning Nigeria as a competitive regional and international centre for drone manufacturing and related services.
Ahmad lamented that Nigeria’s dependence on imported technology has limited opportunities for local innovation, job creation and industrial growth and without coordinated support for manufacturing, commercialisation.
According to him, indigenous enterprises may struggle to translate promising ideas into viable products.
He therefore urged his colleagues to support the Bill as it sought to
address these gaps through targeted incentives, government procurement
preferences, innovation funding and local-content requirements.
Ahmad expressed optimism that the bill would transform Nigeria from a consumer of drone technology into a producer of
indigenous solutions, skilled professionals and competitive industrial products.
The lawmaker said that its successful implementation could stimulate investment, create employment,
strengthen national security and open new markets for Nigerian innovation.
“It is important to note that the future belongs to nations that can transform technological innovation into industrial capacity, economic prosperity and national security.
Drone technology is increasingly vital to agriculture,
infrastructure, emergency response, scientific research and defence,” he said.
The lawmaker said that Nigeria must therefore move beyond dependence on imported technology towards developing its own capacity to design, manufacture and commercialise drones.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has barred its personnel from escorting politicians during campaigns for the 2027 general elections.
Zonal Commanding Officer, RS6, ACM Abimbola Owolabi, gave the directive during her maiden visit to the Cross River Command in Calabar on Wednesday.
Owolabi said patrol vehicles and sirens must not be used for political activities or private engagements, including weddings and funeral processions.
She directed officers deployed to campaign venues to focus exclusively on traffic management to prevent congestion and road crashes.
The zonal head warned personnel against leading political convoys or providing escorts for politicians, stressing that official vehicles must not be used for unauthorised purposes.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
More than 100 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onicha-Igo, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The defectors declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Receiving the new members at an event held in Ofu LGA on Wednesday, prominent APC stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District, led by Engineer Friday Michael (MON), alongside representatives of the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations.
Michael, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Good Shepherd Hospital, described the large turnout as evidence of growing support for the APC, expressing confidence that the party would record an overwhelming victory in the 2027 elections.
He said the defectors had chosen to join the ruling party because of what he described as the developmental strides of the current administrations.
“Those members of the opposition parties defecting to the APC today have seen the light in our party. They can see the good work the current administrations are doing, and they are optimistic that if President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo are re-elected in 2027, they will witness more development across the board,” he said.
Welcoming the defectors, Michael assured them of equal treatment within the party, regardless of when they joined.
“As we welcome them into the APC family, they should be assured that they will receive equal treatment like other members. Our common goal is to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo so they can sustain their development agenda for the people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large,” he added.
He commended Governor Ododo’s performance in infrastructure, healthcare, education and civil service welfare, maintaining that discussions on power rotation could be considered after the governor completes a second term in 2031.
Michael also urged residents and eligible voters to remain committed to the APC, stressing that continuity in leadership was necessary to sustain development and improve the welfare of the people.
He said his political engagement was driven by a desire to strengthen the relationship between government and the grassroots, adding that cooperation among political leaders, community stakeholders and residents would help bring government programmes closer to the people.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Governor, his Director of Protocol, Daniel Abutu, emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation and sustained engagement in securing victory for the APC in 2027.
According to Abutu, effective grassroots mobilisation and constructive engagement were essential to building public confidence, strengthening the party’s structures and ensuring that communities benefited from the dividends of democracy.
The event also featured renewed calls for support for the APC’s Kogi East senatorial candidate, Joe Erico, and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Participants stressed the need for unity, political participation and sustained grassroots engagement to advance the party’s interests.
The gathering underscored the role of grassroots political stakeholders in strengthening party structures, integrating new members and consolidating the APC’s support base across Kogi East and beyond.
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