Youths under the umbrella of the Coalition of Kanam Ethnic Youths Nationalities have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for a second term in 2027, while also calling for the Plateau Central senatorial seat to be zoned to Kanam Local Government Area.

The endorsement was announced during a gathering held at the Multi-purpose Conference Centre in Dengi, headquarters of Kanam LGA, where youth leaders and stakeholders converged to deliberate on the political future of the area.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Mr. Sadiq Kwaltommai and Mr. Mustapha Bayuma said the decision followed extensive consultations across the 20 wards of Kanam, culminating in a unanimous agreement to support both leaders for re-election.

The group said its endorsement of President Tinubu was based on what it described as visible progress under his Renewed Hope Agenda, including efforts to stabilize the economy, address insecurity, and execute major infrastructure projects across the country.

“We commend the President’s bold decisions and commitment to long-term development, particularly projects that will have lasting impact on Northern Nigeria,” the coalition stated.

On Governor Mutfwang, the youths described their endorsement as “earned, not given,” citing several developmental projects executed in Kanam LGA. These include ongoing road rehabilitation projects such as the Amper–Dengi and Gishare–Gwamlar–Gidgid roads, upgrades to healthcare facilities including General Hospital Dengi, improvements in school infrastructure, and agricultural support programs for farmers.

They added that regular payment of salaries and support for traditional institutions have also contributed to improving livelihoods in the area.

The coalition, however, used the occasion to press for what it termed “equity and fairness” in political representation, insisting that Kanam LGA should produce the next senator for Plateau Central in 2027.

According to the group, Kanam remains the only local government in the senatorial district yet to occupy the position since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, despite having one of the highest voter populations in the zone.

“We therefore endorse Ephraim Usman for the Plateau Central senatorial seat. Justice demands that Kanam be given the opportunity to represent the zone at the Senate,” the statement read.

They noted that the LGA has consistently supported candidates from other parts of the district in previous elections and now expects reciprocal support in the spirit of rotational equity.

Also speaking, the Leader of the Kanam Legislative Arm, Duba-Allahyafi Samson, reinforced the call for fairness, pointing out that some areas have repeatedly occupied key political offices while others remain excluded.

He urged political stakeholders to consider balancing representation across the district to sustain unity and inclusiveness.

The event concluded with the coalition congratulating Nentawe Yiltwada on his emergence as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a significant milestone for Plateau State and a positive development for Nigeria’s democratic process.

Mr Utsev disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

He said the high-risk communities were located in 266 Local Government Areas (LGAs) based on scientific forecasts and hydrological assessments.

The affected states according to him are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.

Others include Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, including the FCT.

The minister said that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states would face moderate flood risk, while Ekiti  State remained the only state not affected.

He added that 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states fell within the low flood risk category.

”States in this category include Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara,” he said.

He warned of possible flash and urban flooding in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano.

He said coastal and riverine flooding is expected in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo states due to rising sea levels and tidal surges.

He stated, “The AFO is not just a scientific report; it is a call to action. Early warning saves lives and reduces economic losses.”

Mr Utsev attributed increasing flood incidents to climate variability, rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor land-use practices.

He noted that the Federal Government was strengthening hydrological monitoring through improved data systems, automated river gauges and advanced modelling techniques.

He added that collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were being enhanced to improve forecast accuracy and early warning dissemination.

The minister urged state governments to integrate flood risk considerations into land-use planning, urban development and infrastructure design.

He also called for improved drainage systems, effective floodplain management and stronger community preparedness to minimise impacts.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said flooding remained a major national challenge, with recurring incidents recorded since 2012.

Mr Tinubu said his administration had initiated policies and programmes, including flood control projects, to address the persistent threat.

He said that the 2024 Maiduguri flood marked a turning point toward proactive flood and disaster management.

According to him, the Anticipatory Action initiative, led by the Office of the Vice-President, is strengthening early warning, preparedness and coordinated response.

Mr Tinubu described the AFO as a key planning document guiding early action, mitigation and evacuation strategies nationwide.

He urged stakeholders to utilise the forecasts to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

The president also emphasised the need to harness water resources to drive economic diversification and sustainable development.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, said the forecast was based on comprehensive, data-driven analysis of flood-prone areas.

Mr Mohammed said the AFO served as an early warning tool to support planning and coordinated disaster response nationwide.

He added that the agency had upgraded its forecasting system to a hybrid AI-integrated model to improve accuracy and lead time.

He also said that the Flood Dashboard now enabled real-time monitoring and dissemination of alerts to stakeholders.

He urged residents in vulnerable areas to heed early warnings and adopt preventive measures to reduce risks.

The NIHSA director general called for wider dissemination of the outlook to strengthen preparedness and resilience in communities.

He appreciated the Federal Government and development partners for their support in the preparation of the 2026 outlook.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the World Meteorological Organisation, NiMet, NEMA, the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, and other stakeholders.

(NAN)