Obi Vows To Crush Insecurity, Corruption In Nigeria
By Aloysius Chiahemba, Makurdi
For residents of Yelewata in Benue State, the scars of the June 2025 massacre remain painful reminders of the cost of insecurity. Families were shattered, homes destroyed and hundreds of lives reportedly lost in one of the state’s deadliest attacks.
It was against this painful backdrop that presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, visited the traumatised community, pledging to restore security, unite Nigerians and wage a determined war against corruption if elected president in the January 2027 general elections.
Obi gave the assurance during a town hall meeting with party supporters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where he outlined his vision for a safer, more united and economically prosperous Nigeria.
He promised to make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of his administration, stressing that kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements responsible for killings and violent attacks would be pursued and brought to justice.
According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development without first guaranteeing the safety of its citizens.
The former Anambra State governor also pledged to expand access to affordable and quality education, create employment opportunities for young people and ensure that economic opportunities were not restricted by social status, ethnicity or financial circumstances.
On corruption, Obi promised a firm commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, arguing that the country’s enormous wealth must translate into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
He called on the people of Benue State to support his presidential ambition, expressing confidence that his leadership would provide an opportunity to confront Nigeria’s developmental challenges and rebuild public confidence in governance.
As part of his engagements in Benue, Obi paid a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler of the Tiv Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, Professor James Iorzua Ayatse, at his palace in Gboko, where he received royal blessings.
He also commissioned several development projects executed by the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, and received spiritual blessings from the cleric.
The visit provided an opportunity for Obi to engage traditional and religious leaders while acknowledging the Catholic Church’s contributions to community development, particularly in social welfare and infrastructure.
His arrival in Benue was also significant following previous attempts to visit the state that were disrupted by controversies and security-related concerns surrounding his planned engagements.
However, one of the most emotionally significant stops on his itinerary was Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, where he sympathised with survivors and families affected by the June 2025 massacre.
The attack, which reportedly claimed hundreds of lives, drew widespread national and international condemnation and renewed concerns over persistent violence in Benue communities, particularly those dependent on farming for their livelihoods.
By visiting the affected community, Obi sought to identify with displaced residents, survivors and families still grieving the loss of loved ones.
The visit also brought renewed attention to the urgent need for effective security measures, protection of vulnerable communities and sustained humanitarian support for victims of violent attacks.
With security, education, youth employment and the fight against corruption featuring prominently in his campaign message, Obi is seeking to present his presidential ambition as an opportunity for national renewal.
Whether those promises can translate into lasting solutions to Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges remains a major question voters will weigh ahead of the 2027 elections.
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