By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has unanimously elected Hon. Peter Ipusu Bemdoo, representing Katsina-Ala West State Constituency, as its new Majority Leader. The election took place during Tuesday’s plenary and was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, according to a statement issued by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Zape Michael Upaa.

Ipusu, who previously served as Chief Whip, is also the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Tertiary Education. His election, according to the statement, reflects the confidence of lawmakers in his legislative experience.

Congratulating Ipusu, Speaker Emberga urged him to use his experience to strengthen the coordination of legislative activities and promote cooperation, discipline and constructive engagement among members.The Speaker also charged the new Majority Leader to support legislation and policies addressing the needs of Benue residents and contributing to the state’s development.

Emberga stressed the importance of teamwork and urged Ipusu to maintain consultation and collaboration with other lawmakers in carrying out his legislative responsibilities.The Speaker expressed confidence that the new Majority Leader would add value to the Assembly, strengthen its leadership and contribute to its effective discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The Middle Belt Forum has said it will support a southern presidential candidate in the 2027 election who demonstrates competence and commitment to peace, inclusion, restructuring and the socio-economic development of the region.

A member of the Forum, Akor-Abagi, stated this in an interview, saying the Middle Belt would approach the 2027 election based on concrete policy commitments rather than as a fixed electoral bloc.

He said the Forum’s recent engagement with Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was a consultation and not an endorsement. According to him, the discussion focused on restructuring, state policing and treating insecurity in the Middle Belt as a national security priority.

Akor-Abagi said the Forum would assess candidates based on policies and actions, particularly their plans to address insecurity, protect farmlands, support displaced persons and improve infrastructure.

He identified state and community policing, justice for victims, compensation, protection of ancestral lands, equitable federal appointments and constitutional reforms as key areas of concern.

On power rotation, he said the Forum still believed in fairness and rotation but would prioritise competence and commitment to restructuring in 2027. “Yes, the principle of rotation and fairness still matters to us. But in 2027, the focus is shifting to competence plus commitment to restructuring,” he said. He added that, in his view, the presidency should return to the Middle Belt in 2031.

Akor-Abagi said candidates seeking the region’s support should publish policies with clear budgets and timelines and engage affected communities beyond election periods.

*Arrested in tactical uniform, with fake pistol, allegedly extorting motorists

The Department of State Services (DSS) late on Wednesday in Abuja arrested a man identified as Moferewa Maiye, discovered to be impersonating a personnel of the Service.

Maiye, who claimed to hail from Agbajojun Village, Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, was trailed and arrested by DSS officers in his hideout around the NITEL Junction, along Adetokunbo Ademola Way, Wuse II, Abuja.

At the time of his arrest, Maiye was in DSS tactical uniform and armed with a fake pistol.

According to a security source, the Secret police acted on credible intelligence that Maiye was using the uniform and the fake weapon to intimidate commuters and motorists, extorting money from them.

During interrogation, added the source, the suspect reportedly claimed that his brother was a DSS personnel who died years ago.

He identified the brother as Monday Maiye, stressing that the DSS kit in his possession was his late brother’s.

The suspect is currently being interrogated as security operatives, the source stated, adding that the Service was investigating how he came about the DSS uniform and kit.

“Investigators are also trying to establish how long the suspect has been involved in similar acts of impersonation and extortion.

“The arrest underscores growing concerns by the Service over the activities of individuals who impersonate security personnel to intimidate members of the public and commit criminality,” the source declared.