A respected traditional and political figure in Plateau State, Da Yohana Margif, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing ongoing deadly attacks allegedly carried out by Fulani militias in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Margif, who holds the title of Waziri Mushere and was the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, made the call during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
He decried what he described as a coordinated campaign to wipe out indigenous communities in Bokkos, revealing that seven villages had already fallen to armed assailants. According to him, residents have either been killed, displaced, or left to live in fear and uncertainty.
“The savage killings and destruction of homes continue even as of today,” Margif said. “Seven communities have been captured, and many lives have been lost. No one knows what will happen next. The people cannot sleep and are helpless.”
He described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe, with displaced persons roaming their ancestral lands without food, shelter, or government support.
“Innocent villagers have been slaughtered, their homes burnt, and their ancestral lands forcefully taken over. Displaced families now roam as refugees in their fatherland,” he lamented.
Margif emphasized that declaring a state of emergency is the only realistic option left to halt the escalating violence and prevent further loss of life.
“The primary duty of any government is to protect lives and property. If it fails to do that, then it has no business being in existence,” he said.
He warned that unless urgent federal intervention is taken, more bloodshed will follow and entire communities in Plateau risk being completely wiped out.
Plateau State has faced repeated waves of violence in recent years, stemming largely from protracted conflicts between herder and farming communities. Despite security deployments and peace efforts, parts of the state remain volatile.
The omission of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu’s name from the list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is proof that he is the next governor of Ogun State, according to his running mate.
The claim was made by Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 election.
Sowunmi-Kolapo spoke on Friday after Jumat prayers at the Nawair-ud-deen Mosque in Abeokuta, where leaders of the Islamic society prayed for her and her principal’s victory.
According to her, the controversy trailing the INEC list and the jubilation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are clear signs of panic over an imminent defeat.
She described the omission as unintended, expressing confidence in INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, whom she described as a globally recognised professional appointed by President Bola Tinubu and who, she said, would not taint his integrity.
“I am confident it was an unintended omission by the Commission. One of the appointments the President got right is that of Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC chairman. He is a man of integrity,” she said.
Sowunmi-Kolapo mocked the APC’s celebration over the list, describing it as a dead-on-arrival mission and a symptom of impending defeat.
“Their euphoria is a symptom of a panic attack. They are soon-to-be IDPs — Internally Displaced Politicians — exhibiting symptoms of IDPA — Impending Defeat Panic Attack,” she said.
She insisted that no one could stop a genuine movement by people determined to protect their heritage, stressing that Ogun’s resources must work for its people.
“Ogun’s resources must work for its people. This is the bedrock of our ITURA DE mandate. The PDP administration of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu will prioritise citizens’ welfare and ensure real financial autonomy for local governments,” she added.
The Chief Imam of Nawair-ud-deen Society, Abeokuta headquarters in Ogun State, Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke, and other leaders of the society declared full support for the PDP ticket, describing Sowunmi-Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, as a compassionate leader who would serve the people.
The Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Iya Sunnah of Nawair-ud-deen, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, also called on the Egba Muslim Community and Ogun State Muslim Community to rally behind the ticket, describing Sowunmi-Kolapo as the pride of the Muslim community.
No fewer than 15 governorship candidates of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) have declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The candidates said their decision was based on their assessment of Tinubu’s performance and the absence of a presidential candidate on their party’s platform for the forthcoming election.
Politics Nigeria reports that the Chairman of the DLA Governorship Candidates Forum, Aboki Bayonga, who is from Taraba State, announced the endorsement while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Bayonga described Tinubu as the best presidential candidate for the 2027 election, insisting that the governorship candidates would retain their ambitions under the DLA while supporting the president’s re-election.
“As governorship candidates of DLA, we are here to declare our support for President Tinubu as our presidential candidate in 2027. It is not that we have dropped our aspirations under our own platform, but as for the presidential, we are for Asiwaju 100 per cent,” he said.
He added that the forum would mobilise support for Tinubu to secure another four-year term.
The DLA candidates also said they would pursue their political ambitions under their party while working for the president through the Arewa for Asiwaju platform.
Bayonga cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), agricultural support and road construction as some of the reasons for their decision.
He said the student loan initiative had provided opportunities for students to pursue their education, regardless of whether their parents could afford to pay their fees.
On agriculture, the DLA forum chairman said the distribution of fertilisers and the reduction in their prices had provided relief to farmers, particularly those in rural communities.
He also praised the administration’s road construction projects, arguing that the infrastructure being developed would serve Nigerians for years.
According to him, the candidates assessed the available presidential contenders before concluding that Tinubu deserved another opportunity to continue his administration.
“We have looked at all the presidential candidates, and concluded that you cannot leave opposition to join opposition. You will not succeed,” Bayonga said.
He expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure victory in 2027, adding that another four years would enable the president to consolidate his achievements and improve the country.
Other members of the forum include its Secretary, Adamu Idrisu Chado, from Kaduna State; Bekky Folorunso James from Osun State; Professor Valdya Tame from Adamawa State; Hon. Sam Umar from Plateau State; Alhaji Sani Mohammed from Gombe State; Hon. Nnamdi Ugwu from Enugu State; and Hon. Brent Micheal from Bauchi State.
Meanwhile, the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has criticised Tinubu’s administration over persistent killings and abductions across the country, accusing the government of failing to protect lives and property.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, called on Nigerians to demand urgent action to address the worsening security situation.
It identified Kwara, Niger, Benue, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Borno, Plateau and Yobe as states affected by attacks by armed groups and other criminal elements.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; PRP Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
The PRP accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of relying on public statements and promises rather than taking effective measures to protect vulnerable communities.
“The scale of the killings and abductions of helpless citizens and the rising impunity of their tormentors suggests that Nigerians live in a lawless country,” the statement said.
The party also expressed concern about the pressure on military personnel and local volunteers involved in efforts to confront armed groups.
It said the persistent attacks had disrupted livelihoods and worsened the economic difficulties facing millions of Nigerians.
The PRP further alleged that the government was spending excessive public funds to secure political support while citizens remained exposed to security threats. However, it did not provide details or evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Baba-Ahmed insisted that Nigerians should not wait until the end of Tinubu’s tenure in May 2027 before demanding improvements in security.
He said the president remained responsible for fulfilling his constitutional obligations to protect citizens and promote their welfare.
“President Tinubu still has four months to go before his defeat. He has a responsibility to live up to his oath to protect the lives and welfare of Nigerians,” he said.