The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to take proactive measures regarding the attack on its presidential candidate in Benue State.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the call on Friday while fielding questions in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, asking the police to make the prosecution of the culprits public.

He commended the arrest of 46 suspects linked to the attack but warned against the tendency to sweep the matter under the carpet.

Director, therefore, demanded greater accountability, urging the police to ensure that those arrested are prosecuted publicly.

“The police should have prevented those miscreants and hoodlums from gathering at that place to block our presidential candidate from entering Benue or, in the worst-case scenario, arrested them on the spot while they were there.

“They should not have waited for the event to happen before they started reacting. But still, we commend them for taking this professional decision of going after those suspected to have committed that act.

“We are also using this opportunity to demand from the Inspector-General of Police that this should not just be a round-off situation where we hear about arrests but, at the end of the day, we don’t know what happened to those who were arrested,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he has redeemed promises made to Super Eagles players, Super Falcons and the D’Tigress following their performances in various competitions.

Last year, the D’Tigress won the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title, while the Super Falcons, won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco earlier this year.

After the victories, the President promised the Atheletes various rewards ranging from national honors to cash reward.

In a post on his X handle on Thursday, President Tinubu said “a promise made must be a promise kept.”

The President said “today, the rewards I promised our D’Tigress have been fully redeemed.

“Each player has received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while each official has received the equivalent of $50,000, completing their package of cash rewards, national honours and three-bedroom homes in Abuja.”

President Tinubu explained that for the first time, a Federal Government has fulfilled this scale of presidential sporting rewards in full within one year.

He stated that the delay followed the process of the law, “We had to follow the processes required by law and ensure that every commitment was properly implemented. That took time, but a promise made must be a promise kept.

“We are also concluding the outstanding cash rewards for our Super Falcons.” He said.

The statement said the Super Falcons players and officials have already received the title documents to their house allocations and National Honours certificates.

“Likewise, the promise of houses and national honours I made to Super Eagles players has since been redeemed.”

“Our athletes who bring honour to Nigeria deserve more than applause. They deserve a country that keeps its word.

“My promise to every Nigerian Athelete is make Nigeria proud, and come back to a grateful Nation.”

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to voters in the South-East to support the re-election of her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2027 presidential election.

The First Lady said she wanted to enjoy a better Nigeria in her old age, adding that both she and the President were working to improve the country.

Mrs Tinubu made the appeal on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State capital, during her official visit to the South-East to empower women.

“Make una vote for Mr President, we go work for una and Nigeria go better.

The First Lady said the empowerment programme was being implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and would benefit 18,500 women across the country when completed.

She said 500 women from each of the five South-East states would receive various items, including generators, industrial grinding machines, gas cylinders and ovens, to support their businesses.

However, she disclosed that Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, had provided additional empowerment items for 2,000 women in the state, bringing the total number of beneficiaries in Imo to 2,500.

In response to the governor’s gesture, Tinubu announced an additional N100,000 cash support for each beneficiary of the empowerment programme.

She said the initiative was designed to recognise the role of women in nation-building and economic development.

“Recognising the typical role women play in nation building, this is in line with the agenda of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians, particularly women,” she said.

Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to use the resources judiciously to improve their livelihoods and support their families.

“Let it serve as a foundation for creating a better life for you and your family,” she said.

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma commended the First Lady for her contributions to nation-building and her commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

The governor said the people of Imo State appreciated what he described as the President’s performance and would support his re-election in 2027.

Uzodimma also commended the Federal Government for the empowerment programme, saying it was aimed at promoting the dignity and economic empowerment of women.

He said the people of Imo had observed the Federal Government’s infrastructural and developmental interventions in the state.

“Let him know that Imo people are happy with him, that we are happy with his performance. Let him know that he is doing very well, that we stand with him and that we deeply appreciate his resolute commitment to a stronger, more prosperous, safer and more united Nigeria,” Uzodimma said.

He pledged the support of the people of the state for President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

“I assure you that we will reciprocate this love. We will stand firmly behind our beloved President in January 2027. We will speak with one united, unequivocal voice to stand by those who have consistently stood by us,” he said.

The First Lady was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Osodieme by the traditional institution in Imo State.