By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Presidency and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, have exchanged words following allegations that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Obi alleged that NFF officials stopped him from approaching the players when he encountered the team at the airport on Monday, following their return from Morocco with the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

In a statement issued through his media office, the former Anambra State governor said he had asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could welcome and congratulate the players.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

Leader of the Warri South-West Legislative House and Chairman of the Delta State Councillors Forum, Rt. Hon. Ekpemupolo Idukedoumene Samuel, has warmly welcomed Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside members of the Delta State APC Campaign Council, to Warri South-West Local Government Area.

The visit forms part of the party’s political engagements and mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ekpemupolo Samuel’s reception of the governor and his entourage underscores the involvement of political and legislative stakeholders in the party’s activities across the local government area.

The visit also provides an opportunity for party leaders, elected representatives and grassroots stakeholders to interact as the APC intensifies its political engagements across Delta State.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, led by its Grand Patron, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has deployed 50 campaign vehicles to Enugu and Cross River states as part of its grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The vehicles, with 25 allocated to each state, were presented on Monday, November 9, during separate ceremonies marking the inauguration of the movement’s state structures in Enugu and Calabar.

The movement also distributed other campaign materials, including public address systems, to strengthen its outreach across communities, electoral wards and polling units.

In Enugu, Tompolo, represented by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) by taking the policies and programmes of President Bola Tinubu’s administration directly to the people.

He explained that the mobilisation campaign would extend beyond residential communities to markets, motor parks, churches, mosques, shops and other public gathering points.

Pondi also commended Governor Peter Mbah for ongoing development initiatives in Enugu State, including road infrastructure, transport terminals, smart schools, security facilities and aviation projects.

The Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented Mbah, welcomed the movement’s grassroots mobilisation efforts and assured members of the state government’s readiness to integrate the organisation into its campaign structure.

In Cross River, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, pledged that the state would mobilise at least 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Otu attributed the state’s support to developments under the Tinubu administration, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, increased federal allocations and infrastructure projects.

He also expressed optimism that Tinubu’s re-election would support Cross River’s ambition to regain its oil-producing status and actualise the Bakassi Deep Sea Port.

Speaking through Pondi, Tompolo urged residents to support Tinubu and other APC candidates, describing the administration’s economic reforms as a gradual process that requires patience and continuity.

He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), increased federal allocations to states and the removal of fuel queues as developments he believed should be sustained.

The National Coordinator of the movement, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, also urged eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the 2027 elections.

He identified student loan initiatives, local government autonomy and the establishment of the South East Development Commission among the administration’s programmes cited by the movement in its mobilisation campaign.

Meanwhile, APC chairmen in both states, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike of Enugu and Sony Etta of Cross River, expressed support for the mobilisation exercise.

The latest deployment further expands the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’s nationwide grassroots campaign, which is focused on strengthening its structures at state, local government and ward levels ahead of the 2027 elections.