From Attah Ede, Makurdi

A planned visit by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State was disrupted on Tuesday after a group of youths blocked his convoy, triggering a fresh war of words between the former Anambra State governor and the Benue State Government.

Obi, who arrived in Makurdi at about 9am, was on his way to Yelewata to sympathise with families affected by the June 13, 2025 attack in the community, in which hundreds of people were killed.

He also planned to make personal donations of food and other relief materials to victims.

According to Obi, his convoy was stopped by youths shortly after leaving the airport, along the Makurdi-Gboko Road, less than two kilometres from the airport. The youths reportedly chanted, “Obi go back,” while some wielded sticks and allegedly threw stones.

Security personnel were deployed to the area, but Obi eventually turned back and returned to the airport rather than risk a confrontation.

Describing the incident as “ridiculous” and “very, very worrisome,” Obi said he chose not to force his way through because of concerns that violence could erupt and endanger lives.

The NDC candidate subsequently appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to intervene and ensure that political actors were protected during the 2027 election campaign.

He also urged security authorities to call state governors to order, warning that political violence could push the country towards anarchy.

Obi said it was difficult for him to believe that the incident occurred without the knowledge of the state government and security agencies, given his experience as a former governor.

“I have been governor myself. I know that this cannot happen without the government and security agencies in this state being fully aware that I am here,” he said.

He recalled that he had previously cancelled a planned visit to Benue after, according to him, Governor Hyacinth Alia indicated that he did not want to meet him. Obi maintained that the current visit was undertaken during the campaign period and was aimed at meeting residents and sympathising with victims of violence.

State Govt: Obi Breached Protocol

The Benue State Government, however, denied knowledge of Obi’s visit and rejected allegations that Governor Hyacinth Alia or his administration sponsored youths to block the presidential candidate.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, said the governor and the state government were not aware of Obi’s reported visit to Yelewata.

He argued that a presidential candidate and former governor of a state was a high-profile personality whose visit should have been formally communicated to the state government and security agencies to allow adequate protection to be arranged.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, DSS, Civil Defence and other relevant security authorities ought to have been informed ahead of the visit.

Tersoo questioned how youths could have successfully blocked Obi if the security agencies had been properly notified and adequate arrangements made for his movement.

He also dismissed suggestions that Governor Alia would deploy youths against Obi, saying the governor does not promote thuggery and would rely on recognised security agencies to deal with any threat.

The governor’s spokesman further described as unfounded Obi’s allegation that the state government was behind the incident, urging the public to disregard the claim.

‘Obi Is Looking For Trouble’ — Commissioner

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, similarly accused Obi of disregarding established protocol.

Iorpev said a person of Obi’s status should formally notify the state government before embarking on such a visit, stressing that the government had a responsibility to guarantee his safety.

He said the incident was unfortunate but claimed Obi’s visit coincided with a meeting involving youths from the state’s 23 local government areas.

The commissioner, however, said he did not know the youths who blocked the convoy and could not confirm whether they were acting on behalf of the state government.

“He is just looking for our trouble. We are peace-loving and hospitable people,” Iorpev said.

Police Contradict State Govt Account

The police account, however, appeared to contradict the state government’s claim that security authorities were unaware of Obi’s visit.

Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the police had been informed the previous night that Obi would visit Yelewata.

Nwadiogbu said he consequently directed that security be provided for the former governor and instructed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to personally lead the deployment.

He said the police were informed that Obi was coming to the state to visit Yelewata and not for a campaign rally.

According to the police commissioner, officers were subsequently confronted with youths who blocked the road and said they did not want Obi to enter.

Nwadiogbu said the police had tactically managed the situation but would investigate the incident and identify those responsible.

He described Obi as “a very responsible man” and said the former governor left the state after learning that the youths had blocked his route.

Obi: 2027 Campaign Must Be Issue-Based

Following the incident, Obi called for an issue-driven 2027 presidential campaign, urging political parties and candidates to focus on the challenges confronting Nigerians rather than violence and intimidation.

He listed insecurity, kidnapping, killings, hunger and poverty among the issues that should dominate the election debate.

The former Anambra governor also appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used for political violence.

“We are not coming here fighting anybody because our elections will be run on ideas, on issues,” he said, warning that “anarchy consumes everybody.”

Obi’s aborted Yelewata visit was his second reported engagement with communities affected by violence in Benue in recent weeks. He had earlier visited Efeyi in Otukpo-Nobi, Otukpo Local Government Area, where he made donations following an attack in which more than 18 people were killed.

The Tuesday incident has consequently opened a fresh political dispute over security, protocol and the conduct of political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Obi demanding greater protection from security agencies while the Benue Government insists that his visit was not properly communicated.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has commenced the 2026 Rapid Response 3 (RR3) Crisis Response Exercise in Asaba, Delta State, marking the first time Nigeria’s national multi-agency crisis simulation is being conducted outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The five-day exercise, which began on Monday, September 7, and is scheduled to end on Friday, September 11, brings together relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security and emergency response organisations, strategic partners and other stakeholders to test and strengthen the country’s preparedness for complex emergencies and security-related incidents.

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is among the key partners participating in the exercise.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Asaba, Director of the Presidential Command and Control Centre, ONSA, and Director of the exercise, Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan, said RR3 was designed to evaluate existing crisis-response plans, strengthen inter-agency coordination and identify gaps requiring improvement.

According to him, Rapid Response 3 is the codename for the 2026 crisis-response exercise organised by ONSA and represents the seventh national crisis-response simulation conducted by the agency.

He noted that the previous six exercises were held in Abuja, while the decision to hold the 2026 edition in Delta State was intended to test national crisis-response arrangements in a sub-national environment.

The full-scale exercise will involve two simulated crisis scenarios conducted sequentially at the Asaba International Airport and along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

Participants will operate under the Gold, Silver and Bronze command structure established by the National Crisis Management Doctrine, representing the strategic, operational and tactical levels of coordination.

The exercise will also assess communication and information-sharing systems, command and control arrangements, operational procedures and the ability of participating agencies to respond effectively to simulated emergencies.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, alongside senior government officials, security and emergency response commanders, heads of MDAs, strategic partners and members of the media.

ONSA assured residents that the exercise is a controlled simulation and does not represent an actual emergency or security incident.

The agency warned, however, that residents may witness increased movements of security personnel, vehicles and emergency response teams around designated areas during the exercise. It urged the public not to panic or mistake the activities for a real emergency.

Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan also called on the media to rely only on verified information in reporting the exercise and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could cause unnecessary public alarm.

He said the lessons and observations from the exercise would be documented and used to strengthen Nigeria’s national crisis-management architecture and improve future multi-agency responses to complex emergencies.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has pledged its support for the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to harness Nigeria’s Orange Economy as a driver of job creation, entrepreneurship, economic diversification and sustainable development.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the commitment on Tuesday in Abuja when the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof.

Ayo Omotayo, led a delegation from the institute on a courtesy visit.

The meeting focused on the research being undertaken by participants of NIPSS Senior Executive Course 48 and plans for a National Summit and Exhibition on the Orange Economy.

Idris commended NIPSS for choosing the creative economy as the focus of its research, describing the sector as a significant opportunity to diversify Nigeria’s economy, create jobs for young people and promote sustainable prosperity.

“I want to commend NIPSS for this initiative of examining the Orange Economy and entrepreneurship for sustainable development,” the minister said.

He assured the delegation that the Ministry and its agencies would support both the research and the proposed summit. According to him, effective communication would be essential to ensuring that Nigerians and the international community understand the opportunities available in the creative economy.

“This Ministry is essentially about taking information to the public and taking it back from the public. It is a two-way thing,” Idris said.

The minister also highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which has a nationwide presence, in gathering feedback on the views, needs and aspirations of Nigerians at the grassroots.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remained committed to listening to citizens and adjusting policies and programmes where necessary in the national interest.

“The first question the President asks whenever I sit with him is: ‘What are Nigerians saying?’” Idris said.

To strengthen coordination, the minister said the Ministry would designate an official to work with NIPSS as preparations for the proposed summit advance.

Earlier, Omotayo said NIPSS was seeking the Ministry’s partnership in its research and the planned national summit, which is expected to examine how the Orange Economy can contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation and the administration’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.

He said participants in Senior Executive Course 48 had conducted research visits across Nigeria and to several countries to examine how creative industries are being developed and leveraged for economic growth.

The proposed summit, he added, would bring together government representatives, creatives, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders to explore opportunities across the sector.

“The Orange Economy is a very huge sector. We have identified about 48 subdivisions, and we believe the summit will bring out the potentials in every sector,” Omotayo said.

According to the NIPSS Director-General, Nigeria’s growing creative and digital industries have considerable potential to tackle youth unemployment while creating new avenues for entrepreneurship, investment and wealth creation.

Idris reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with NIPSS and other strategic institutions to turn research and policy ideas into practical opportunities for Nigerians, particularly young people, while strengthening the country’s position in the global creative economy.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials and representatives of NIPSS and the private sector, including Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and other officials.