Verified Conversations and Inside Plateau have announced plans to host a major town hall meeting in Jos on June 12, 2026, under the banner #2027Conversation, with a focus on strengthening citizen participation and promoting accountability in governance across Plateau State.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Crispan Event Center in Jos as part of Nigeria’s Democracy Day activities, was unveiled during a press briefing in Rayfield.
Speaking at the briefing, the Team Lead of Verified Conversations, Samson Omale, described the initiative as a non-partisan platform designed to bridge the gap between public office holders and the people they serve.
According to him, the town hall will provide citizens with an opportunity to directly engage elected officials, ask difficult questions, conduct social audits, and demand accountability.
“We intend to have a town hall on June 12 as part of Democracy Day. We want to deepen the conversation by bringing critical stakeholders together and creating a space where citizens can ask questions, conduct social audits, and get answers from public office holders,” Omale said.
He stressed that #2027Conversation goes beyond electioneering and is intended to foster sustained discussions around governance, transparency, and effective public service delivery.
“The #2027Conversation is bigger than elections. It is about creating an independent platform where leaders can engage citizens openly, answer tough questions, and demonstrate accountability to the people they serve,” he added.
Omale also disclosed that several radio stations in Jos have partnered with the organisers to ensure wider participation through live broadcasts and other media platforms, allowing thousands of residents to follow the discussions.
He noted that future editions of the initiative would periodically assess government performance, giving citizens the opportunity to evaluate campaign promises, policies, and outcomes.
“This is not about politics or political parties. We are talking squarely about governance and accountability. We want citizens to interrogate policies, demand results, and contribute meaningfully to the development of Plateau State,” he said.
Also speaking at the briefing, Business Manager of Inside Plateau, Munta Phikwallayan, said the collaboration aims to create an inclusive platform where residents can freely express their views on governance and development issues.
“It is important to bring all stakeholders to the table, create room for discussions, and allow everyone to air their views. Through these conversations, we can collectively identify challenges and chart a path toward meaningful solutions for Plateau State,” she stated.
Phikwallayan encouraged citizens to actively participate in shaping conversations that affect their future, saying the initiative would provide Plateau people with an avenue to tell their own stories and share their experiences.
“We will listen to what people are saying, hear their concerns and complaints, and use those contributions to move the conversation forward and create pathways for progress and practical solutions,” she added.
The event is in partnership with Plateau State Ministry of Information.
Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, on Tuesday, successfully thwarted an armed robbery attempt at the residence of a pastor in Hwol Buju community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Media Information Officer of OPEP, Captain Polycarp Oteh, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said troops of the security outfit were alerted to the attack on the residence of the man of God identified as Pastor Inyam Inyam in the early hours of Tuesday and promptly swung into action, forcing the assailants to abandon their operation and flee.
Captain Oteh said the troops responded to reports of gunshots at the residence of the pastor and the swift intervention of the troops disrupted the attack and compelled the suspected armed robbers to escape before carrying out their mission.
“Upon receiving the distress report, troops moved to the area and engaged in efforts that forced the criminals to flee the scene.
“The suspects abandoned their operation and escaped before security forces arrived,” the OPEP spokesman said.
He added that the pastor and his daughter, Hannatu Inyam, sustained injuries during the incident and were evacuated to a hospital in Mista-Ali for medical treatment.
“A spent 7.62mm special ammunition casing was recovered at the scene as part of ongoing investigations.
“Medical examination later indicated that the female victim had been sexually assaulted during the attack,” he added.
The statement also stated that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects while investigations have commenced into the incident.
He urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the suspects and preventing similar incidents, while reaffirming OPEP’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Plateau State and other areas within the joint operations area.
Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, says the flag bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, will dump the party if their expectations are not realized.
Ahmad made this statement in a post on his verified X handle.
According to him, Peter Obi and Kwankwaso see the NDC primarily as a vehicle for the 2027 elections.
He added that the difference in political timelines and objectives could make it difficult for the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, and Obi/Kwankwaso’s ambitions to align sustainably.
“If Obi and Kwankwaso’s expectations are not realised within the party, they will definitely move on to another platform ahead of the 2031 for the same reason.
“It is obvious that Dickson is only pursuing a long-term political project, not a short-term electoral arrangement.
“From what I understood, his focus is to build a formidable political platform this time that could position him strongly for presidency in 2031 or so,” he wrote.