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Benue Governor pledges 620,000 votes for President Tinubu in 2027
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has committed to delivering at least 620,000 votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, aiming to double the 310,468 votes Tinubu received from the state in 2023. Governor Alia made this declaration after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, accompanied by former Governor Gabriel Suswam. Alia indicated that Suswam's alignment with the APC is strengthening the party's prospects in Benue State. During the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu secured 310,468 votes in Benue, narrowly defeating Peter Obi, who garnered 308,372 votes. The governor also updated President Tinubu on the security situation in Benue, the status of internally displaced persons, the ongoing farming season, and the political atmosphere following the APC primaries. He acknowledged internal tensions within the APC in Benue but expressed confidence that these would resolve. Alia also briefed the President on Suswam's formal entry into the APC, noting that a figure of Suswam's stature required a direct interface with the President. Additionally, Governor Alia thanked President Tinubu for attending Benue's 50th-anniversary celebrations, during which a fruit concentrate factory was commissioned by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. The First Lady also commissioned 10 urban renewal road projects during the same period.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Federal Government on Monday requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, for allegedly failing to meet the conditions of his N200 million bail. Lead prosecutor Akinlolu Kehinde SAN argued that Sowore had not satisfied the bail conditions, including producing a traditional ruler and a surety with FCT landed property, and depositing his international passport. Kehinde urged Justice Mohammed Umar to order Sowore's remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Sowore's counsel, Olumide Fusika SAN, countered that bail is to secure attendance, not to punish, and stated that verification of bail documents was nearly complete. He attributed a delay in depositing the passport to a public holiday at the US Embassy in Lagos and assured the court that all conditions would be met. Justice Umar declined the prosecution's application, allowing Sowore to remain with his counsel. Sowore then began his defense, with Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju testifying that President Bola Tinubu had previously stated Nigerians have the right to criticize and insult him as part of democratic freedoms. Video recordings of President Tinubu's remarks were admitted as evidence. The case was adjourned until July 13 for continuation.
Must ReadFormer Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff stated that some states now receive federal allocations in two to three months that are equivalent to what Borno State received during his entire eight-year tenure, attributing this increase to President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 economic reforms. Sheriff, who governed Borno from 2003 to 2011, made these comments on Channels Television while defending the President's economic policies. He noted that Borno received approximately N150 billion in federal allocations over eight years, whereas some states now receive up to N55 billion monthly. Sheriff argued that Tinubu's removal of the fuel subsidy significantly boosted revenue available for distribution to states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee, preventing a fiscal crisis. He contended that the President deserves commendation for his economic management. Regarding insecurity, Sheriff emphasized that addressing security challenges is a shared responsibility, not solely that of the Federal Government, highlighting the constitutional roles of state governments in this area.
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