From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

At least 46 people have died after a boat carrying 77 passengers capsized in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with 15 others rescued alive and 16 still missing as rescue operations continued on Thursday.

The victims were reportedly travelling to their rice farms when the boat capsized shortly after taking off while crossing a waterway.

The passengers included farmers, farm labourers, women and children, with some reports indicating that several of the children were between 10 and 15 years old.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the casualty figures, saying local divers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the police were involved in the search and rescue operation.

The command’s spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, said, “Forty-six corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive,” adding that rescuers were still searching for the remaining 16 passengers.

A local journalist at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said more than 70 people were aboard when the canoe overturned. He said the village head was among those on board but was rescued.

The accident has plunged Gorau into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting information about relatives who remain missing. Local divers and emergency responders reportedly began searching immediately after the incident, recovering bodies from the water.

A senior NEMA official, who identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, said the agency had mobilised personnel to the community to support the rescue operation.

The cause of the accident had not been established as of the time of filing this report.

The tragedy has also renewed concerns about the safety of farming communities that depend on waterways to reach their farms. It occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.

Reacting to the incident, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, described the accident as a “devastating tragedy” and called for urgent measures to prevent a recurrence.

Dan’iya urged the Sokoto State Government and emergency agencies to deploy additional personnel, medical teams and rescue equipment, while calling for proper identification and documentation of the victims to assist their families.

He also advocated the provision of regulated boats and life jackets, training for boat operators, improved emergency response equipment and the construction of bridges or alternative crossings where necessary.

“No farmer should have to risk his or her life simply to access a farm and provide food for the family,” he said.

The ADC candidate commiserated with the bereaved families and the Gorau community, while urging residents to cooperate with emergency responders as the search for the missing passengers continues.

From Yagana Ali, Yola

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has formally kicked off its campaign for the 2027 general elections, throwing its political machinery behind President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term while mobilising support for the party’s National Assembly candidates.

The campaign flag-off, held on Tuesday, drew party leaders, aspirants, supporters and grassroots mobilisers, who gathered to rally support for the APC and begin what party officials described as an intensive statewide mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Representing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the event, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta described the flag-off as more than a conventional political rally, saying it marked the beginning of a determined effort to mobilise the people and secure victory for the APC in Adamawa.

Farauta commended President Tinubu for what she described as his administration’s efforts to reposition the country through its policies and programmes.

She urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government by voting for the APC in 2027, arguing that continuity would allow the administration to consolidate its ongoing reforms and development initiatives.

According to her, the Adamawa APC would leave no stone unturned in its bid to secure victory for President Tinubu, the party’s senatorial candidates and House of Representatives aspirants across the state.

Farauta said the party would take its campaign directly to the people, with supporters expected to engage residents at the grassroots and mobilise voters across communities.

She urged party members to remain committed and united as the campaign progresses, stressing that victory would require sustained engagement with voters at the grassroots.

Also speaking on behalf of the senatorial and National Assembly aspirants, Mustapha Salihu described the rally as a historic moment and the beginning of a new political chapter for the APC.

Salihu said Nigeria had endured significant challenges in recent years but was gradually moving towards a period in which the impact of the Federal Government’s reforms would become more evident.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s re-election and vote for APC candidates in the National Assembly elections, saying continuity in leadership was important for consolidating ongoing development efforts.

Salihu disclosed that the campaign was initiated by the North-East Door-to-Door Movement before receiving the support of the Adamawa State Government.

Speaking on behalf of the movement’s leadership, including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, he expressed appreciation to Governor Fintiri and the people of Adamawa for their support and participation.

He described the turnout at the rally as an indication of the commitment of supporters to the APC’s political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adamawa State APC Chairman, Hamza Madagali, thanked party supporters for responding to the mobilisation call and urged them to maintain the momentum beyond the campaign launch.

Madagali charged party members to take the campaign to homes, markets, villages, settlements and places of worship, stressing the importance of direct engagement with voters.

He said the APC’s chances of success in 2027 would depend largely on the dedication of its members at the grassroots.

The chairman urged party faithful to remain united, organised and committed to the mobilisation drive, saying sustained interaction with voters would be critical to delivering victory for President Tinubu and the party’s National Assembly candidates across Adamawa.

With the campaign now formally underway, the APC is expected to intensify its grassroots activities across the state as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi -Chukwuma Odii, has urged Ebonyi people to remain law-abiding and committed to peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odii made the call in a statement titled, “Eyes on the Ball,” made available to news men on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

He urged politicians, stakeholders and residents to place the peace and development of Ebonyi above partisan interests.

The governorship candidate stressed that political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into violence, noting that Ebonyi indigenes remained brothers and sisters irrespective of their political affiliations and party loyalty.

The call followed a recent alleged attack on members of the PDP and journalists in Ezza South Local Government Area by suspected political thugs allegedly from opponents.

Odii, popularly known as Anyichuks, said political contests should be based on records, achievements, impact and deliverables rather than violence, propaganda or personal attacks.

According to him, candidates aspiring to public offices should allow their accomplishments and scorecards to speak for them.

“Going forward, let us allow our scorecards to speak for us, both as private individuals and, most importantly, as people who have occupied political or public offices,” Odii said.

The candidate explained that his campaign would be anchored on issues and constructive engagement, adding that the “ANYI GA EMEYA” (his political movement) would avoid politics capable of undermining the unity of the state.

“ANYI GA EMEYA will campaign on issues, facts and constructive criticism; we will not engage in smear propaganda or politics of personal attacks,” he added.

He maintained that Ebonyi politicians should focus on the kind of leadership and development capable of improving the lives of citizens and creating opportunities for future generations.

“Ebonyi needs development, opportunity, prosperity and good governance and we must pursue these with urgency.

“There is no time to waste when the future of our people and the generations yet unborn is at stake,” he said.

Odii also called on party supporters and political stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral process, stressing that the state’s peace should not be sacrificed for political ambitions.

“We are Ebonyi people first before we are members of any political party,” he said.

Odii further said that his campaign policies and programmes would be intentional, reality-based, solution-driven and focused on issues that mattered to the people.

He urged all political actors to embrace tolerance, civility and issue-based campaigns as the 2027 election approached, saying that the collective interest of Ebonyi should remain paramount and above any other personal interests.