ÖThe All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State Chapter, strongly condemns the alleged orchestrated attempt by agents of the Abia State Government and factional Labour Party elements to embarrass President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and portray him as unpopular in Abia State during a community function hosted by the great people of Item in Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, which had the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in attendance.

Information available to us indicates that some sponsored miscreants allegedly disrupted the address of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Director-General II (South) of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, in what appears to be a calculated attempt to undermine his political standing and embarrass the President he represents. We consider this incident an unfortunate manifestation of political desperation by individuals who have resorted to intimidation, manufactured hostility, and disruptive tactics rather than engaging in constructive political discourse.

Credible intelligence available to the party had earlier suggested that certain agents of the Abia State Government were plotting to embarrass our leader, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and President Tinubu at public gatherings. Unfortunately, we initially dismissed these reports, believing that the genuine affection Abians have for President Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker would make such an ill-conceived plot unnecessary and unsuccessful.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has consistently championed President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda across Abia State, including Aba and Item community, without encountering such orchestrated hostility. On the contrary, his engagements have enjoyed remarkable acceptance, enthusiasm, and popular support from the people.

President Tinubu has earned the confidence and appreciation of Abians through federal infrastructural projects, development interventions, strategic appointments, and employment opportunities extended to the state and its people. These achievements, facilitated through the unwavering commitment and advocacy of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, demonstrate the President’s genuine concern for Abia State. His relationship with the Deputy Speaker, whom he affectionately regards as a son, remains firmly rooted in mutual trust, loyalty, and shared commitment to national development.

We therefore wish to make it abundantly clear that no amount of political blackmail, intimidation, sponsored embarrassment, or orchestrated hostility can weaken the enduring relationship between President Tinubu and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Those who out of political desperation believe that embarrassing the President is an effective strategy for attacking the Deputy Speaker have only exposed their political naivety and lack of credible alternatives.

The growing acceptance of the APC and President Tinubu across Abia State and the Southeast is a testament to the political leadership, strategic mobilisation, and grassroots strenght of the APC and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

We consequently warn those allegedly sponsoring political disruptions to desist from such reprehensible conduct and embrace democratic engagement, tolerance, and responsible political participation.

Our confidence remains unshaken. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure 85 per cent of votes cast in Abia State in the 2027 presidential election on january 16th 2027. Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu will defeat the factional Labour Party candidate in Bende with a very wide margin, while the APC will win the three senatorial districts, eight Federal House of Representatives seats, twenty-four State House of Assembly constituencies, and an APC governor in the person of Dr. Eric Chinemeucheya Opah inaugurated as Governor of Abia State on May 29, 2027.

Signed:

Uche Aguoru
Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Abia State Chapter

The Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General AM Dikko, who also doubles as the Commander Sector 3 Joint Task Force South East Operation Udoka has charged journalists to uphold professionalism, truth, impartiality and ethical standards, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Brigadier General Dikko who was represented by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations Captain MO Attah gave the charge on Friday November 6 2026 in his goodwill message at the 2026 Press Week and Abia 2027 Election Media Retreat organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council.

Brigadier General AM Dikko described the theme as timely, urging journalists to verify information, avoid sensationalism and refrain from publishing unconfirmed reports capable of causing tension or undermining public peace. He also emphasised issue-based reporting, national unity and peaceful coexistence.

Furthermore he stressed the importance of journalists’ safety during security-related assignments, advising media practitioners to observe safety procedures and maintain constructive engagement with security agencies. On military reporting, he cautioned against disclosing sensitive operational information, troop movements and security installations, while encouraging mutual respect and cooperation between the media and security agencies.

The Commander reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s recognition of the media as a strategic partner in nation-building, peacebuilding, and national security.

The event had its theme as ” *The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls”* featured interactive sessions and group photographs.

*MAZINHO ATTAH*

Captain

Assistant Director Army Public Relations

14 Brigade Nigerian Army

Ohafia, Abia State

08 November 2026.

The Abia State Government , in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has officially flagged off the enumeration of beneficiaries under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative in Umuahia, the state capital, while inaugurating and training desk officers across the state’s 17 local government areas.

The even t, organised by the Abia State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, marks another step towards expanding access to affordable agricultural financing for smallholder farmers in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the National Coordinator of GEEP, Hon. Ibrahim Hamzat Baba, described Abia as a state renowned for entrepreneurship and commended Governor Alex Otti for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.

He explained that FarmerMoni is one of the components of GEEP, alongside TraderMoni and MarketMoni, designed by the Federal Government to provide interest-free and collateral-free microloans to vulnerable Nigerians who ordinarily have limited access to conventional banking facilities.

According to him, FarmerMoni specifically targets smallholder farmers involved in crop cultivation, poultry, livestock production, fisheries and other agricultural activities, providing them with financial support to expand their operations and improve productivity.

He disclosed that eligible beneficiaries can access loans of up to ₦300,000 without interest or collateral, adding that the funds are intended to help farmers purchase seedlings, agricultural inputs, livestock feed and other essential materials.

Baba emphasised that FarmerMoni is a loan scheme, not a grant, explaining that repayment is expected to commence between six and nine months after disbursement.

He noted that the revolving nature of the programme would enable other farmers to benefit from the intervention as previous beneficiaries repay their loans.

The National Coordinator further explained that the programme prioritises women, young people and vulnerable farmers and is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Development Plan 2026–2030.

He charged the newly inaugurated local government desk officers to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, accuracy and accountability, stressing that only registered beneficiaries whose details have been verified should be enumerated.

He also warned the officers against demanding money from farmers, insisting that participation in the programme is free.

Baba urged them to treat farmers with dignity and ensure that women, youths and vulnerable groups are not excluded from the exercise.

He further cautioned the officers to handle the tablets provided for the exercise with care, explaining that the devices would also be used during subsequent enumeration exercises for TraderMoni and MarketMoni beneficiaries.

Commending the agricultural initiatives of the Abia State Government, he observed that Governor Otti’s administration had adopted a data-driven approach to agricultural development rather than relying solely on the distribution of farm inputs.

He particularly highlighted the state’s reported agricultural database system, farmer identification initiatives and the appointment of farm managers across the 17 local government areas.

Baba disclosed that the state had reached over 18,634 farmers through its agricultural support programme in July 2026, describing the development as a strong foundation for the successful implementation of FarmerMoni.

He encouraged the desk officers to collaborate with the state’s agricultural structures, including the appointed farm managers, to ensure that genuine farmers in rural communities are reached.

In her remarks, the Abia State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix welcomed the NSIPA delegation and appreciated the Federal Government for extending the intervention to farmers in the state.

The Ministry noted that agriculture remains a major source of livelihood for many Abia households but observed that inadequate access to affordable financing continues to limit the ability of smallholder farmers to expand production and acquire essential agricultural inputs.

It described FarmerMoni as a timely intervention that would complement the agricultural development efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration by providing farmers with additional financial opportunities.

The Ministry also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for smallholder farmers, while appreciating the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her efforts towards supporting women, young people and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope initiative.

It disclosed that NSIPA’s national office had completed the online revalidation of 1,160 farmers in Abia State, with the next phase involving a 20-day physical field enumeration exercise across the 17 local government areas.

The exercise, according to the Ministry, will involve physical verification of beneficiaries, documentation of their farming activities and collection of relevant information for further assessment under the programme.

The Ministry, however, clarified that enumeration does not automatically guarantee approval or disbursement of loans, urging farmers to provide accurate information and cooperate with the designated officers.

It also called on the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the Agricultural Development Programme and other relevant stakeholders to support the exercise by facilitating access to farming communities.

The Ministry reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to creating opportunities that would improve livelihoods, strengthen agricultural productivity and promote economic independence, particularly in rural communities.

Also speaking, the South-East Coordinator of GEEP, Mrs Ifeoma Mba, described the assignment as a serious responsibility and urged the newly inaugurated officers to approach their duties with dedication and professionalism.

She encouraged them to work closely with the State Programme Manager, who would provide the necessary guidance and direction throughout the exercise.

Mba also issued a stern warning against collecting money from farmers under any guise, stressing that no beneficiary should be made to pay before or during the enumeration process.

“Do us proud in this assignment,” she charged the officers.

In her vote of thanks, the State Programme Manager, Mrs Ucheoma Udor, urged the desk officers to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and commitment to the success of the programme.

She charged them to ensure that eligible farmers across the 17 local government areas benefit from the initiative, while maintaining accuracy and transparency throughout the enumeration exercise.

The 17 local government desk officers, selected to represent their respective councils, were subsequently trained and equipped with tablets and power banks to facilitate their field assignments

Isaac Ugwu Consultant GEEP Southeast facilitated the training

Among government officials present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ada Ukandu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Meg Onwu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu; and other top government functionaries.

The GEEP 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative is expected to strengthen access to agricultural financing, support smallholder farmers and contribute to im

proved food production and economic empowerment across Abia State.