Monthly Archives: August 2026

Obasanjo, Namadi, Diri, Obi others attend 2026 GJF Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi 

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By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi 

The former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, former vice President, Namadi Sambo, Bayelsa State Governor, Douyi Diri, former governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi State.

The Democracy Dialogue held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi.

The former vice President, Namadi Sambo said that Democracy depends greatly on the strength and effectiveness of political parties which provide a platform through which citizens participate in politics, select leaders, and contribute to the formulation of public policies.

He said that for the political parties to effectively perform their role, they must embrace internal democracy, transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. 

He further said that the selection of candidates should also be credible and inclusive, while party members should have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making.

According to him, said that “Our political parties must also move beyond political cleavages largely driven by personalities and focus more on ideas and policies. Added that by doing that, it will help to provide the necessary checks and balances within a democratic system.

The former vice president, Sambo also said that courts courts have the responsibility of interpreting the Constitution, protecting citizens’ rights, and resolving disputes, including electoral disputes and in accordance with the law.

“Judicial independence must be protected, Judges must be able to perform their duties without political interference, intimidation or undue pressure.

Judiciary must continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. 

Sambo noted that public confidence in the judiciary is essential to the credibility and sustainability of democracy, which people should also pay attention to the timely resolution of cases, particularly electoral matters. 

The former vice president, Namadi Sambo further said that delayed justice can undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.

On his part, the governor of Bayelsa State, Douyi Diri expressed his appreciation to the organiser of the programme for giving him opportunity to speak. Said there is total injustice in the way resources are distributed across the country.

“I come from a state with only eight local government areas, while some states have 40 local government areas and even more. Yet, resources from the federation are shared among all the local government areas, which is injustice.

According to him said that “Our resources are being exploited without the benefits being equitably distributed to the people. Now there is gold in Zamfara State and in other parts of the country. Yet, what we experience in those areas is insecurity. Much of the insecurity has also been linked to the discovery and exploitation of gold in that part of the country.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Douyi Diri further said that for democracy to truly thrive in Nigeria, there must be true federalism.

Also speaking during the occasion, the presidential candidate of the  Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to reflect on the state of the nation’s democracy, warning that the erosion of judicial independence and electoral credibility poses a grave threat to the country’s future.

Drawing from his personal experience, Obi recalled spending three years in court challenging the 2003 Anambra governorship election and eventually securing justice.

“I never met the judges. Five judges I had never met delivered judgments in my favour. That cannot happen in Nigeria today,” he said. 

“I was a beneficiary of a process I had no influence over, and it was that judgment that made me governor.”

The former Anambra governor expressed concern over current trends in the electoral and judicial processes.

“Our lawmakers are manipulating the electoral process. Senior professors are defending it. Our young people are now being lured into criminal political activities. We have a crisis,” Obi said.

“It is time for every Nigerian to sit down and ask, where is our nation going? We need to reverse this trend. Because there are things we are allowing today that will come back to hurt our children,”

The presidential candidate of the  Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, lamented that professors and other educated Nigerians were now defending flawed elections, while young people were being drawn into what he described as criminal politics.

Enugu Security Forces Crush Kidnap syndicate, free 2 victims

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…..Recover Ransom and Weapons

By Venica Uchechukwu, Enugu

Security forces in Enugu State have arrested three suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate behind the August 2, 2026 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area, while rescuing the remaining two victims and recovering ransom money and a cache of weapons.

One of the suspects was reportedly killed during a gun duel with security operatives in a joint operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies.

The operation also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from the suspected kidnappers hideouts.

The development was disclosed during the parade of the arrested suspects at the Enugu State headquarters of the DSS on Monday evening.

Speaking to journalists, Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, confirmed that the remaining two victims of the August 2 attack — Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi — had regained their freedom.

The governor said the ransom paid to secure the victims’ release was also recovered after security operatives deployed the state’s advanced security technology to track the suspects.

According to him, the rescued victims had identified the arrested suspects as members of the gang responsible for their abduction.

Mbah commended the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies for their coordinated efforts, describing the operation as another demonstration of the state’s determination to protect the lives and property of its residents.

“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them. Usually, criminal elements will not want to be apprehended easily without a fight.

But our people were ready, and we have one fatality, while the others are here now as you could see; and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Enugu State hostile to criminal activities, stressing that the government had deliberately invested in a robust security architecture to prevent and respond to attacks.

“We made it very clear that if criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business; that we will pursue you, we will make sure we bring you to justice,” he said.

Mbah added that the state’s security strategy was designed not only to prevent crime but also to ensure that perpetrators who manage to breach the system are eventually apprehended.

“We are intentional in investing in and organising our security architecture to prevent crime. 

But if there is a breach, you can run, but cannot hide for long. We must get you. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it. No way,” he said.

The governor also issued a warning to residents who may be assisting criminal networks by providing information or other forms of support, saying such individuals would be identified and prosecuted.

“We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil operation and this evil syndicate,” he warned.

2027: Nasarawa Youths Back Wadada for 2027 Governorship

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From Abel Zwanke, Lafia 

Youths and students in Nasarawa State have reaffirmed their support for Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, popularly known as Sarkin Yakin Keffi, to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule in 2027.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Students Affairs, Shuaibu Sani, stated this on Monday after a closed-door meeting with Wadada at his campaign office in Lafia.

Sani also presented campaign materials to the senator, describing the gesture as a demonstration of solidarity and support on behalf of youth and student groups across the state.

He said the youths were interested in consolidating the achievements of the Sule administration, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, education, skills development, healthcare and youth empowerment.

“The young people of Nasarawa State are ready to consolidate on the gains of the A.A. Sule administration. Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu has shown capacity, vision and a genuine commitment to youth inclusion,” Sani said.

He added that youth mobilisation was already taking place across the 13 local government areas and tertiary institutions in the state in support of Wadada’s governorship ambition.

According to him, “We are mobilizing across the 13 LGAs and all tertiary institutions to ensure his emergence as the next Governor of Nasarawa State.”

Responding, Senator Wadada appreciated Sani and the youth constituency for the show of support, promising to work closely with young people and students if elected governor.

Wadada said his administration would prioritise employment, education, entrepreneurship and security, with the aim of improving the welfare of the people.

The meeting also featured calls for peaceful and united political engagement among youth and student groups as the state approaches the 2027 general elections.

AI to the Rescue: Engineers Target Nigeria’s 200,000km Road Network

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By Agbo Fidelis

Nigeria’s 200,000-kilometre road network may be heading for a technological overhaul as engineers and other stakeholders push for the accelerated deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle persistent challenges of road maintenance, congestion, flooding, erosion and safety.

The call was made on Monday in Abuja at an international training on AI Applications for Road Management, organized by the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) in partnership with the International Road Federation (IRF). 

The program attracted engineers, government officials, regulators, development agencies and industry experts seeking technology-driven solutions for safer, smarter and more climate-resilient roads.

Acting National Chairman of NIHTE, Bola Mudasiru, said the scale and complexity of Nigeria’s road infrastructure had made conventional approaches to road management increasingly inadequate. 

He said AI could transform the entire life cycle of road infrastructure through predictive maintenance, traffic optimization, asset management, improved safety and climate resilience.

Mudasiru said AI-powered systems could enable engineers to anticipate road deterioration and predict flooding and erosion patterns before they become major threats. 

Such technologies, he explained, would allow authorities to move from reacting to road failures to preventing them and designing infrastructure better suited to the realities of climate change. 

He, however, stressed that transparency, ethics, data privacy and sustainability must guide AI adoption.

Martins Van gills of the IRF said the organization, which brings together experts from academia, government and the private sector in more than 130 countries, was committed to sharing innovations and practical case studies.

He acknowledged AI’s growing role in infrastructure but stressed that “human intelligence will remain indispensable in engineering,” insisting that technology should support rather than replace professional expertise.

Immediate Past NIHTE Chairman, Hassan Saidu, said the institution’s partnership with IRF, which began about 10 years ago, had enabled Nigerian professionals to access international training in areas such as road safety, asset management and performance-based contracts without the cost of travelling abroad.

President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Chairman of the occasion, Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, described AI as a force already reshaping infrastructure planning worldwide. 

He said the technology was revolutionising predictive maintenance, traffic management, pavement monitoring and transport safety, while urging government to give indigenous engineering firms greater opportunities to execute major projects, create jobs and promote technology transfer.

Rabiu also commended the Minister of State for Works for sponsoring 25 ministry officials to attend an engineering conference in Glasgow, United Kingdom, saying continued exposure to international best practices would strengthen the capacity of Nigerian professionals.

Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, said roads remain vital to connecting communities with markets, schools, healthcare facilities and farms, as well as driving investment and national integration. 

He said government was investing in roads and bridges but must ensure that existing assets were properly monitored and maintained, adding that AI could help detect defects, predict deterioration and deploy scarce resources more efficiently.

Representing the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Bukar Gana said the World Bank- and French Development Agency-supported project had digitised more than 100,000 kilometres of rural roads through the Nigeria Rural Infrastructure Management System. 

He said the platform captures road conditions, pavement types, bridges and community data to guide maintenance priorities, adding that RAAMP was exploring how AI could further strengthen rural road planning.

President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, urged Nigerian engineers to become AI-competent to remain relevant, saying the technology could shift the sector from costly reactive repairs to proactive and predictive maintenance. 

He nevertheless cautioned against over-reliance on AI, stressing that ethics, accountability and cost-effectiveness must remain at the heart of engineering decisions and calling for more specialised training to bridge knowledge gaps.

In his vote of thanks, the Planning Committee Chairman, Isa Emoabino, said the workshop was designed to narrow knowledge gaps among practitioners and expose engineers to practical applications of AI. 

He urged participants to engage actively with the trainers and translate the knowledge gained into practical solutions capable of delivering safer, smarter and more sustainable roads across Nigeria.

Cross River Deputy Governor’s Convoy Crashes in Ugep

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By Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The convoy of the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, was involved in a road accident in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, while returning from an official engagement in Obanliku Local Government Area.

The accident involved the Government House Press Bus, which was conveying some appointees and staff of the Office of the Deputy Governor.

The convoy had earlier traveled to Obanliku for a stakeholders engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort, an initiative that attracted discussions among key stakeholders in the area.

Preliminary information indicates that the press bus reportedly veered off its lane near an Army checkpoint in Ugep before crashing into three sandbag barricades.

The circumstances that led to the vehicle leaving its lane remain unclear, with investigations ongoing to establish the exact cause of the accident.

There were reports of injuries following the crash. One person was reportedly seen with an apparent leg injury, while another was observed bleeding from the nose.

However, the extent and nature of the injuries could not be immediately confirmed, as those involved were expected to undergo proper medical assessment.

The condition of the Deputy Governor and other members of the convoy was not immediately available at the time of filing this report.

Further details are expected from relevant authorities as assessment of the incident continues.

Ex- President Jonathan inaugurates 18 roads in Bauchi

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…..Commends Gov. Bala Mohammed for good governance 

By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi 

The former president, Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday inaugurated 18 completed township roads projects constructed by the state governor, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir.

The ceremony which held at the Bauchi State Radio Corporation (BRC) Yelwa,  said that there’s no any society that can achieve sustainable growth without reliable roads.

He said that roads remain critical for development, connecting communities, facilitating commerce, creating opportunities, and promoting inclusive growth.

“This 49.7km road network is more than asphalt. It is a celebration of visionary leadership, responsible governance, and purposeful investment in infrastructure that directly improves the quality of life of our people,” he said.

On his part, governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir expressed his appreciation to the former president for coming to commissions 18 township roads in Bauchi.

“We are always encouraged by your enduring contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development and even our personal development as people who learn from you as your mentees. 

Your presence has added great honor and national significance to this occasion.

The governor said the N58.7 billion projects were constructed to standard with durable pavement, drainage, culverts, road markings, and solar-powered street lighting on selected routes.

He further said that the impact of the 49.7km intervention is already evident in improved mobility, a boost to economic activity, and job creation.

“Our desire was to develop about 5,000 kilometers of roads, but so far we have done about 3,000 kilometers since we came on board. Our infrastructure program is not about road construction. 

It is about opening economic opportunities, improving livelihoods, and laying a solid foundation for the prosperity and growth of Bauchi State”

He said that all the achievement would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the good people the state, especially members of the State Assembly and the  commissioners.

“The resources are not inexhaustible that we can do them all, but those who have not been able to get roads, I believe if you vote APM governorship candidate Yakubo to come in 2027, he’s going to continue from where I will stop”

Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir urged the Bauchi people to protect and preserve all the constructed roads because they are public assets. 

Also speaking during the occasion, the state commissioner of works and transport, professor Titus Saul Ketkukah said that governor Bala Mohammed has consistently demonstrated that good governance must translate into visible and meaningful development that directly improves the lives of citizens.

The commissioner said that governor Bala investment in roads and other critical infrastructure is a clear indication of his determination to create a better, more connected and economically vibrant Bauchi State.

“As the Ministry responsible for works and transport, we are committed to supporting this vision by ensuring that all projects under our supervision are properly executed and delivered according to approved specifications and required standards”

Why Igbo Youths Shun Military recruitment despite Unemployment — Umeagbalasi

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…As 6,000 families across S-East still searching for their sons, daughters

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

Despite Nigeria’s rising unemployment and repeated appeals by the Federal Government, elder statesmen and other stakeholders for young Nigerians to enlist in the military, many youths in the South-East are reluctant to join the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociet), Emeka Umeagbalasi, has attributed the development to alleged extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and disappearances of young people during military operations in the region.

Umeagbalasi made the disclosure in a statement issued on Monday alongside Justin Akujieze, President and Chairman of the Board of Ekwenche Research Institute, Chicago.

According to the civil society organization, more than 6,000 families across the South-East are still searching for their sons, daughters and other relatives who were allegedly arrested by security personnel.

The statement alleged that some of those arrested were subsequently branded as members or supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The development, it said, had contributed significantly to the growing reluctance among families to give their children of military recruitment age permission to enlist in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The statement read in part: “It is in totality of the above that tens of thousands of Igbo Land South-East families withdraw from giving their beloved sons and daughters of military recruitment age and academic and professional qualifications permission to be enlisted into the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

The group further recalled that earlier investigations had indicated that about 5,000 other South-East civilians remained untraced after alleged arrests or abductions between August 2015 and December 2019.

It alleged that some of the missing persons were transferred to detention facilities in Northern Nigeria, including the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, without their families being informed of their whereabouts or granted access to them.

The statement also claimed that about 70 per cent of the more than 6,000 persons allegedly missing since January 2021 were taken by military personnel, while the remaining cases were attributed to police crack squads and the State Security Service.

“These disappearances have created a climate of fear among families and have affected their attitudes towards military recruitment,” the group stated.

Intersociet and the Ekwenche Research Institute called on the defense Headquarters and other security agencies to provide comprehensive details of persons arrested or killed during military operations in the South-East.

They demanded that such information should include the identities of those arrested, their locations of detention, the circumstances surrounding their arrests and, where applicable, details of their deaths.

The groups also called for the establishment of independent judicial commissions of inquiry in the South-East to investigate alleged cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses dating back to 2015.

They maintained that addressing allegations of abuses and restoring confidence among families would be crucial to changing the perception of military service among youths in the region.

Benue killings: PDP gov’ship candidate  lauds  Tinubu over establishment of new army division

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State for the 2027 general elections, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of Army Division with its headquarters in Makurdi, and the 11 Brigade, Gboko,l.

He also acknowledged the measures taken by the Federal Government to improve the welfare and remuneration of military personnel.

Aondoakaa gave the commendation during his visit to Guma Local Government Area of the State to commiserate with families of the recent armed herdsmen attack that claimed several lives and left many others injured at Abaashwa community in Mbaasar, Nzorov Council Ward. 

Addressing members of the community, Chief Aondoakaa reiterated his condemnation of the attack, describing the loss of innocent lives as deeply painful and unacceptable. 

He consoled the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said the people of Benue deserve to live peacefully in their ancestral homes without being subjected to persistent attacks, displacement and fear.

Chief Aondoakaa, who has consistently identified security as the foundation for any form of development, stressed that no meaningful progress could take place in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“Security must come first at all times. It is the bedrock of every meaningful development. Our people must be able to live in their communities, go to their farms and pursue their livelihoods without fear,” he said.

Aondoakaa urged Benue people to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information and other necessary support to enable them effectively protect lives and property.

He also paid tribute to the immediate past Governor of Benue State and a son of Guma, Chief Samuel Ortom, for all his sacrifices and the tireless efforts his administration made towards protecting the people of the state.

According to him, those efforts culminated in the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, which provided the legal framework for addressing conflicts arising from open grazing of livestock in the state.

 Aondoakaa maintained that the security of lives and property must never be reduced to partisan politics, 

He stressed that those entrusted with leadership should be willing to consult widely and draw from the experience of former governors and other individuals with relevant knowledge of Benue’s security challenges.

He said tackling insecurity required unity of purpose among political leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, community leaders and the people, irrespective of political affiliations.

Responding on behalf of the community, the Acting Tyoor Nzorov, Zaki Emmanuel Atoka, thanked Aondoakaa for visiting the area to identify with the people at a difficult time.

Zaki Atoka said the community was consoled by the former Justice Minister’s visit and appreciated his concern for the families affected by the attack.

Similarly, the President of Nzorov Development Association, Kenneth Pool, commended Chief Aondoakaa for standing with the people in their hour of sorrow.

Aondoakaa was accompanied on the condolence visit by political associates, friends and some members of the State Working Committee of the PDP in Benue State.

Kogi: Neighbourhood watch speaks on rescue of 13 kidnap victims by security agencies

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…says operation demonstrates effective synergy among various security agencies

By Odimayo Olatunde, Kogi 

The Kogi East neighborhood Watch (KENW) has commended the security agencies in Kogi State for their swift and coordinated efforts that led to the successful rescue of 13 kidnapped passengers of a Peace Mass Transit bus.

In a statement issued on Monday evening and signed by the Director of Public Communication, KENW, Wing Commander Iye Ayefu (rtd.), the group said the successful operation demonstrated the effectiveness of synergy among the various security agencies operating in the State.

According to Ayefu, the victims were rescued within 24 hours of the incident, describing the operation as “swift, coordinated and successful.”

“Kogi East neighborhood Watch wishes to particularly appreciate the officers and men of the 21 Battalion and the officers and men of NNS Lugard for their gallantry, courage and commitment to the rescue operation,” he said.

He added that the collaboration among the security agencies was crucial to the success of the operation, stressing that sustained cooperation would further strengthen efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the State.

Ayefu, however, expressed sadness over the death of a member of the vigilante group who was killed during the operation.

“On a sad note, a member of the vigilante group lost his life in the course of the exercise. KENW prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for God to grant strength and comfort to the family he left behind,” he stated.

The KENW Director also urged security agencies to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts to rescue other victims still being held by kidnappers in another location.

 “Kogi East neighborhood Watch looks forward to the safe rescue of the victims of Ojuwo Olijo, who were kidnapped later and whose whereabouts are still unknown,” Ayefu said.

He called for continued cooperation among the police, military, vigilante groups, neighborhood watch organisations and other relevant security stakeholders,

noting that collective efforts remained critical to securing communities and protecting lives and property.

The group further assured residents of its continued support for legitimate security operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring peace across Kogi East.

Ezza Women protest against Violence, Invoke Ancestors on Politicians Behind Bloodsheds

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By Uchenna Okeh 

Elderly women from the Ezza Nation in Ebonyi State have staged an unusual overnight traditional protest against alleged political violence in Onueke, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi State.

The Nations News reports that the protesters warned those they accused of sponsoring the violence to stop the bloodshed or face what they described as the “wrath of the ancestors.”

The women, drawn from the 12 tribes of Ezza Nation and joined by representatives of communities regarded as offspring of Ezza’s brothers, began their procession from Eke Imeoha Market Square between 2am and 4am. 

They sang, wailed and performed traditional rites as they moved through Nchonu, Onicha Igboeze, Nkerefi in Enugu State and Ugwulamgwu.

At Nchonu, a sacred site associated with Ezekuna, regarded in Ezza tradition as the progenitor of the Ezza Nation, the women reportedly stripped naked before performing traditional rites. 

Their spokesperson, Mrs Angelina Ucha, said the act was part of the traditional requirements for approaching the sacred site and was not intended as a publicity stunt.

The women accused unnamed individuals and their alleged sponsors of fueling political violence and demanded an immediate end to the killings. 

They also demanded traditional appeasement involving a giant native cow, a white hen and alligator pepper, with the rites to be performed at the graveside of Ezekuna.

Ucha said the group had given those responsible for the alleged violence seven days to “do the needful.” 

She said the protest was not in support of any political party or candidate but was aimed at protecting the lives of Ezza people.

“We are tired of seeing our children die because of politics. We are tired of useless shedding of blood,” Ucha said.

She urged politicians, traditional rulers and religious leaders to intervene and prevent further violence.

According to her, the women deliberately excluded those of child-bearing age from the traditional procession because of cultural purity requirements associated with the rites. 

She also said the latest action was not the first time Ezza women had resorted to traditional intervention during periods of crisis.

Ucha recalled similar processions in 2003 and 2010, saying the women had previously marched to Nchonu when they believed the Ezza community was under serious threat. 

She also recounted an alleged incident involving a former governor at a traditional chieftaincy ceremony, which she attributed to ancestral intervention. 

The claim reflects the women’s traditional beliefs and has not been independently established.

The women called on politicians and their supporters to end violence, intimidation and retaliation, warning that political positions were temporary while lives lost could never be recovered. 

They also urged religious leaders to intensify their campaign against political violence and promote reconciliation among opposing groups.

The seven-day ultimatum is now the central message of the protest. 

Ucha warned that those allegedly responsible for the violence and their sponsors should make peace with the land and carry out the demanded traditional rites.

“Politics will come and go. Positions will come and go. But the blood of our people cannot be brought back once it is shed,” she said.