• Obi arrives Jos, set to visit Mangu victims
• SDP puts poverty, insecurity on trial ahead of 2027

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has described the attack on the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, as disgraceful in a democracy and a direct affront on the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, after the attack by thugs in Benue, Obi headed for Jos, Plateau State, ahead of his solidarity visit to Mangu Local Council, following the recent deadly attack on communities in the area.

In another vein, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has sought to turn the 2027 presidential election into a referendum on poverty, insecurity and Nigerians’ living conditions, unveiling a policy blueprint it says will replace political promises with measurable governance targets.

Aondoakaa, who was Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in a statement by his media assistant, James Ian, condemned the attack which took place in Makurdi by thugs allegedly led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youths.

Obi was in Benue to engage with NDC stakeholders to visit survivors of the Yelewata massacre, where over 200 innocent lives were reportedly killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed last year.

The former AGF noted that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement, association, and political participation, stressing that no individual, group or government has the authority to deny any Nigerian access to any part of the country on account of political affiliation.

The PDP candidate stated that any attempt to obstruct, intimidate or attack a political leader exercising those rights runs contrary to the spirit of democratic competition and undermines the President’s call for a peaceful and inclusive political process.

OBI eventually arrived in Jos yesterday after his visit to Makurdi, the Benue capital. He was received by Plateau NDC executives and party chieftains led by Alfred Damiyal.

The former governor of Anambra was warmly received at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, by NDC members, supporters and other stakeholders who gathered to accompany him during the visit.

The visit, according to Damiyal, was aimed at expressing solidarity with the affected community and supporting families impacted by the attack.

He said the visit would also provide an opportunity for Obi to engage with local leaders, residents and victims as they continue to cope with the consequences of the incident.

During the visit, the NDC presidential candidate is expected to assess the situation on the ground, listen to people’s concerns, and offer words of encouragement to families who have suffered losses.

He is also expected to reaffirm the importance of strengthening security, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that affected residents receive the necessary support.

SDP presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, presented the blueprint, entitled ‘Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity: Governance and Accelerated Development – Blueprint of a New Nigeria, 2027–2031’, yesterday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The document sets out the SDP’s proposed agenda for 2027 to 2031, focusing on security, economic opportunity, social welfare, infrastructure and institutional reforms.

Rather than framing the election principally as a contest against rival politicians, Adebayo said the SDP would campaign against the problems confronting Nigerians.

He listed poverty, insecurity, unemployment, inadequate electricity supply, poor economic management, and the rising cost of education among the issues the party intends to tackle if elected.

“The success of our campaigns will be measured by how we communicate these issues and solutions to Nigerians, to believe the solutions that we bring and to trust that we have the competence, character and integrity to do as we have said when we get in there,” Adebayo said.