Opinion

2023: Those who say Labour Party only exists on social media will be shocked-Plateau guber candidate

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2022

vicky

The Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State, Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum has said that those Nigerians and political opponents who believe that the party is a social media and youth event will be shocked at the level of victories it will record in 2023 general elections.

This was even as Dr Dakum said that if Labour Party is voted into power under his watch, he will collaborate with civil servants to move the State forward for the betterment of its people.

In this interview, the governorship hopeful noted that Labour Party has a convincing influence on officials and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade union Congress (TUC) across the country that are ready to vote the party into power both at the state and national level in 2023.

“One of the things I am inundated with every day is the request from people from different villages, I am not talking of towns who want me to come and commission the Labour Party offices in their villages, and for me, it is a total departure from the public narrative that the Labour Party is a social media event and is a youth event.

“I have gone to commission at least two rural-based Labour Party offices that were donated and also rebranded by local people who are desirous for a change, so the phenomenon is a Nigerian phenomenon for the Labour Party in terms of its resurrection. It is a national phenomenon and it is not just some young people somewhere trying to make noise, no it is not like that, it is real in Plateau State and I believe in Nigeria, it is real.

“The journey so far is that I have already gotten a deputy governorship candidate (my running mate) in the person of the Hon. Barr. Edward Pwajok (SAN), and comes with a lot of complimentary experience because number one he was a former Commissioner and attorney general of Plateau State.

“The other thing we have done so far in the Labour Party is to have a retreat that comprises of our local government Labour Party officials and it also included Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade union Congress representatives at the Local government level.

“And it also included the representatives of the political commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress, then it also included representatives of a selected support group and then all the candidates of the party in the State including myself and my deputy.

“It was hosted principally by the state executive team of the Labour Party for Plateau State. And the retreat organised at the national level was a download of that one, and the theme for the Plateau State retreat was Plateau State at a cross road and Labour Party was the only solution and also used the opportunity to review our strengths and weakness.

“The opportunities we had and the threat we face both internally and externally and then proffer solutions on the way forward. I think it was a very good retreat in the sense that it enabled us to look inward and then enabled us to plan how we were going to ensure we win the election at all levels.

“And the focus of the course is winning the Presidential election as contributed by Plateau State, and we believe that Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti will win the Presidential election in Plateau State and then, of course, myself and Edward Pwajok will win at the State level. And we are confident that our candidates at every other level that we fielded in every other level will win the election.

“So we have outlined our strategies and we believe that with God on our side we are going to push forward. And the people of Plateau State are weary and they are tired of existing policies that are being initiated they also don’t want to go back to where they were coming from that is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and therefore a new platform they believe will provide a better opportunity for them to contribute.

“And remember that the Labour Party is a party that was created by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the civil servants in Plateau State, the trade union Congress. These are people who really, really want to be practically involved in how the State is run and I think this is the opportunity for them. So that was a very good milestone.

“We have also been moving ahead meeting different kinds of stakeholders in the party and fine tuning the list that we have because so many people that want to be on the State campaign Council, like you know in plateau State we are going to be working for hand in gloves with the presidential campaign organization because they have already identified two leaders in Plateau State that will stir the Presidential aspect of the campaign organisation because in plateau State it is going to be a very integrated campaign where we are going to be talking about all our candidates from President right down to House of Assembly when we go out to campaign.

“And when the Presidential team is having an event we will also be there to ensure that people see this as a movement, not just a Peter Obi movement but a Labour movement in Nigeria, and that is how far we have gone. Our consultations are continuing and we are looking forward to concluding and releasing the list of people in our campaign council then we are going to go ahead to flag off our campaign in a couple of weeks’ time. We also do have a director general for our campaign organization at the state level, named Joel Gates, he is a former Commissioner in plateau State and he also comes in with a lot of grassroots experience and we are continuing.

“My message to the good people of Plateau State is the fact that they shouldn’t lose hope, we are surrounded by quite a lot of challenges, but we are also blessed people that God has not abandoned, and there is hope for Plateau and there is hope for Nigeria.

“And there is hope for a better Plateau, and there is hope for a better Nigeria. One of the key steps we need to take is to vote for the Labour Party and I believe working together Baba, Mama and pickin we will be able to take Plateau State and Nigeria to a point where we will say we are proud of our country”. Dr Dakum said.

Related Topics:Labour Party (LP)Patrick Dakum social media event

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Plateau Information Commissioner Joyce Ramnap, Vindicated as NUJ Rejects Allegations of Journalist Exclusion

Published

1 week ago

June 16, 2026

Preport

The Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, have refuted allegations that some journalists and media publishers were deliberately prevented from covering the recent flag-off ceremony of the state’s ultra-modern abattoir project in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The clarification follows a publication circulated on social media claiming that the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, mni, instructed an aide to stop certain journalists from participating in the coverage of the event held at Pwomol in Heipang District.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant in the Office of the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Stanley Smiles, the Ministry described the allegation as false, misleading, and without any factual basis.

According to the statement, the groundbreaking ceremony was a public government event, and media participation was coordinated through the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, the umbrella body representing media organizations in the state.

The Ministry emphasized that neither the Commissioner nor any official of the Ministry issued directives to exclude or restrict any journalist or media organization from covering the programme.

It further noted that journalists from various media platforms attended and reported on the event, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transparency, openness, and equal access to information.

The statement added that Commissioner Joyce Ramnap remains dedicated to promoting government activities and ensuring that citizens receive accurate and timely information about the policies, programmes, and projects of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.

“It is therefore inaccurate to suggest that the Commissioner would deliberately block media coverage of a major government project, as such actions are inconsistent with her responsibilities and established record,” the Ministry stated, urging the public to disregard the publication and rely on verified information from official sources.

In a separate statement, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, also distanced itself from the publication, clarifying that the opinions expressed did not reflect the official position of the Council but were those of the individuals involved.

The statement, jointly signed by NUJ Chairman Ayuku Pwaspo, ANIPR, and Secretary Mary Domtur, acknowledged that while some members were unable to board the vehicles provided for transportation to the venue, they successfully attended the event by making alternative arrangements through personal vehicles and public transportation.

The Council encouraged all concerned parties to adopt dialogue and existing dispute-resolution mechanisms instead of resorting to public narratives capable of creating unnecessary tension within the media industry.

It also observed that administrative decisions relating to media coordination at government functions should not be misconstrued without a proper understanding of established protocols and procedures.

The NUJ commended the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap for maintaining productive engagement with media stakeholders and facilitating effective dissemination of government information.

As part of its resolution, the Council passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner, applauding her commitment to strengthening communication channels between the government and the media.

The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting professionalism in journalism, and fostering mutual respect among journalists, media owners, government institutions, and the public in the overall interest of Plateau State.

News

2027: SDP’s Adebayo kicks against ADC, other parties deregistration

Published

1 week ago

June 16, 2026

Preport

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2023 election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has condemned a court ruling which ordered the deregistration of some political parties, describing the development as unconstitutional, undemocratic and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Adebayo, in a post on his X handle, said there was no constitutional, legal or moral justification for alternative political platforms to be suppressed through government action backed by judicial orders.

According to him, the development is particularly troubling as it comes barely days after the nation marked Democracy Day with celebrations, national honors and renewed commitments to democratic values.

He noted that although his party is not among those reportedly affected, remaining silent in the face of injustice would amount to abandoning democratic principles.

The ADP chieftain called on Nigerians and all defenders of democracy to stand in solidarity with the affected parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Action Alliance, AA, Action People’s Party, APP, Accord Party, AP, and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.

Adebayo argued that Nigeria’s vast social, cultural, religious, economic and ideological diversity require a broad range of political platforms through which citizens can freely pursue their political aspirations.

He pledged support to the affected parties in their quest for justice and restoration through lawful means, stressing that democratic participation should never be restricted.

The SDP chieftain also advocated constitutional reforms to remove the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register or deregister political parties, limiting the commission’s role to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

He proposed a system where political associations are free to field candidates, subject to statutory deposits, which parties failing to secure a minimum percentage of votes would forfeit.

Adebayo warned against policies capable of raising political tension in the country, urging leaders to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting national development instead.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court, in a ruling on Monday, had ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord Party, and others, and stop them from participating in the 2027 general election.