By Our Reporter
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to guarantee the security of Nigerians and prevent a recurrence of the massacre in Yelewata community, Benue State, if elected president in 2027.
Obi gave the assurance during a visit to the community, where 271 people were reportedly killed in an attack on June 13, 2025.
The former Anambra State governor said no Nigerian community should ever experience the kind of bloodshed witnessed in Yelewata, assuring survivors and residents that protecting lives and property would be a priority of his administration.
During the visit, Obi donated N10m as an educational support fund for children affected by the attack. He also pledged to provide a borehole to address the community’s water challenges.
The visit followed an earlier attempt on April 14, 2025, when he was reportedly denied access to the community, as well as the disruption of his convoy by youths on September 8, 2026.
After addressing residents, the NDC presidential candidate laid a wreath at a 14-foot memorial wall erected in honour of the 271 victims of the massacre.
Obi later proceeded to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where he attended a town hall meeting with residents and supporters.
At the meeting, he outlined some of his proposed policies, promising to create business opportunities for young Nigerians, improve security for farmers and tackle unemployment.
He said his administration would prioritise the protection of people engaged in agriculture to encourage food production and strengthen the economy.
Obi also pledged to end the practice of requiring personal connections before Nigerians could secure employment in the public sector, insisting that opportunities should be based on merit rather than political or personal influence.
The former governor’s visit to Benue forms part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 presidential election.