Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, is expected to visit Yelwata community in Benue on Wednesday to commiserate with families of victims of the June 13 and 14, 2025 attacks.
The NDC governorship candidate in Benue, Terhemba Shija, disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi, saying Obi would also hold a town hall meeting with residents and stakeholders to present his political agenda.
Shija said Obi would pay tribute to the victims by laying a wreath at the cenotaph erected in their honour along Lafia Road.
He added that the presidential candidate would meet with relatives of the deceased during the visit.
The meeting would take place at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Mission House, behind the Benue Links head office in Wurukum, Makurdi.
Shija clarified that Obi would not visit any government facility or Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp during the visit.
He called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, labour unions, students, women, youths and other residents to attend the town hall meeting.
The governorship candidate described Obi as a leader with integrity, compassion and vision, expressing confidence in his ability to address Nigeria’s socio-economic and security challenges.
Shija recalled that an earlier attempt by Obi to visit Yelwata was allegedly disrupted by suspected political thugs.
He appealed to the state government to allow the visit to proceed without interference and urged security agencies, particularly the police and Department of State Services (DSS), to provide adequate protection for Obi and his supporters.
“We call on all law enforcement agents to protect Mr Peter Obi and his supporters as they carry out their legitimate activities in Makurdi and Yelewata,” he said.
Shija assured that the NDC would not resort to violence or take the law into its hands despite alleged attempts at intimidation.
He said the party remained committed to winning the forthcoming general election and pursuing its political activities peacefully.
On the party’s development agenda for Benue, Shija said the NDC planned to implement a Rescue and Reset Agenda to address insecurity and economic challenges in the state.
He expressed concern over persistent attacks on communities, destruction of livelihoods and displacement of residents.
According to him, more than 600,000 people are living in various IDP camps across the state.
He also alleged that insecurity had forced several schools, hospitals and markets to shut down in at least nine local government areas.
Shija said the proposed agenda would prioritise security, agriculture, solid minerals development, tourism and critical infrastructure.
He identified Benue’s fertile agricultural land and mineral resources as major economic assets that could drive development if properly harnessed.
He listed limestone, gold, lithium, salt, lead-zinc, coal, clay, gypsum, bauxite and bitumen among the state’s mineral deposits.
He said the party would promote partnerships with investors and technical experts to develop the solid minerals sector, including local processing of the resources.
Shija also identified the River Benue and River Katsina-Ala as economic assets with potential for transportation and other investment opportunities.
He said the proposed development strategy would focus on agriculture, mineral extraction and infrastructure across road, rail, air and water transportation.
The governorship candidate expressed optimism that the party’s policies would reposition Benue for economic prosperity.
