Key political figures and traditional rulers gathered at the Benue State Government House banquet hall in Makurdi, the state capital and Yelewata, site of last Friday’s killings, as President Bola Tinubu is expected today.
Wednesday’s visit is aimed at meeting with community leaders to address the prolonged communal violence that has claimed over 500 lives in 2025 alone.
Upon his arrival, the President will first proceed to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, the epicenter of the latest attack that claimed over 100 lives.
Tinubu is scheduled to meet with families of victims, displaced persons and community leaders directly impacted by the violence.
From Yelewata, the President will visit the hospital where several persons injured from the attack are recuperating.
He will proceed to the Benue State Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, where he will preside over a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders.
Expected at the meeting are key national and state-level figures, including governors, particularly from the North Central zone, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Umar Ganduje and other personalities from across political, security and traditional institutions.
Other attendees include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, a former Benue State Governor (1999-2007), Governor Samuel Ortom (2015-2023), members of the APC National Working Committee, and federal lawmakers representing the affected communities in Benue.
Traditional rulers from various ethnic groups within Benue are also seated for the meeting alongside the Executive Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
Also present are the Elders’ Council, members of the Benue State House of Assembly, party executives at the local government level, the Benue State Executive Council and other critical stakeholders from the religious and civil society.
CREDIT: PUNCH
