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Geoffrey Bisat Emerges Chairman as Plateau Fertilizer Association Gets New Leadership After 16 Years
The Plateau State Fertilizer Association has ushered in a new era of leadership, inaugurating Geoffrey Bisat as its chairman in a historic transition—the first in over 16 years. The swearing-in ceremony was held on Tuesday at Simmer Restaurant, Gold and Base, Jos.
In his inaugural speech, Bisat, who is also the founder of Geo-B Integrated Business Limited, pledged to reform the fertilizer distribution system in the state and ensure that farmers receive quality products. He emphasized the association’s crucial role in supporting agriculture, stating that its members supply nearly 90% of farm inputs required for food production across the state.
“We are committed to sanitizing the system,” Bisat said. “Our members must ensure that what they sell is sourced from credible companies, giving farmers value for their money. Gone are the days when substandard inputs flood the market.”
He further highlighted the association’s intent to work closely with government agencies to ensure timely and efficient delivery of agricultural interventions, especially during critical planting seasons.
Addressing concerns about past abuses where some members allegedly diverted government-subsidized fertilizers to open markets, Bisat said the new leadership will sensitize members to stay clear of such activities. “These interventions are meant for vulnerable farmers, and it’s our duty to protect that integrity,” he stressed.
Bisat also laid out a vision for the association that includes stronger internal collaboration, better information sharing among members, and closer engagement with stakeholders to improve the agricultural sector.
Also present at the event was Hon. Matthew Kwarpo, the member representing Mangu South in the Plateau State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Information. He applauded the new leadership and described the inauguration as timely, given the ongoing farming season.
“As lawmakers, our message to the association is clear: go beyond taking oaths—act in ways that deliver tangible benefits to the farmers,” Kwarpo said. “Our people rely heavily on fertilizer for farming, and it’s the responsibility of this association to ensure availability, affordability, and quality.”
He further pledged the support of the House of Assembly in fostering collaboration between the association, the government, and other stakeholders, ensuring that fertilizer reaches grassroots farmers in both quantity and quality.
The event drew stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including representatives from government agencies, farmers’ cooperatives, and community leaders, all expressing optimism that the new executive team would drive progress and restore trust in fertilizer distribution across the state for the next four years.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has received the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag as its governorship candidate for Benue State ahead of the 2027 election during the Tinubu/Shettima rally in Jos over the weekend.
The presentation of the flag by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, represents a formal affirmation of Governor Alia's recognition and acceptance by the party as its standard-bearer in Benue State for the forthcoming governorship election, as well as an expression of the party's confidence and institutional backing for his second-term bid.
The presentation formed part of the rally's activities, during which APC governorship candidates from across the North-Central region received their respective party flags, reaffirming the party's commitment to its candidates as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The rally, held at the Zaria Road Stadium, attracted prominent national and regional political leaders, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, members of the party's National Working Committee and other stakeholders.
President Tinubu, who led the national delegation to the rally, reiterated his administration's commitment to national development, particularly the restoration of peace and security in communities affected by violence.
He assured the people of Plateau State of the Federal Government's commitment to rebuilding communities affected by insurgency and facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
The Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the gathering, highlighting the administration's development initiatives and calling for support for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
The rally attracted party faithful, supporters, and political stakeholders from across the North-Central region, providing a platform for the party's leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the 2027 electoral process.
Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, has criticised the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, describing him as a “public nuisance” and questioning his capacity to build a nationwide political structure.
Afegbua made the remarks during an interview on Arise News while reacting to Sowore’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu following the booing of the President by some youths in Abuja on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Sowore had accused Tinubu of hypocrisy, questioning why the President was now advocating peaceful political campaigns after experiencing hostility during his visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
The incident occurred shortly after Tinubu attended Juma’at prayers at the mosque, where some youths were heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression meaning “We don't want you” or “We don't support you”, as his convoy departed.
In a reaction posted on his X account, Sowore questioned the President's silence over alleged attacks on opposition politicians and their supporters across the country.
However, Afegbua dismissed Sowore's comments, arguing that someone aspiring to lead the country should demonstrate maturity, responsibility and decorum in public engagements.
“I don't want to listen to all of Sowore's rants because I see him more as a public nuisance,” the commissioner said.
He added that presidential candidates must understand the responsibility associated with seeking to lead a country of more than 250 million people.
“Leadership is a serious responsibility, and you cannot go around making flippant, ridiculous and reckless statements in the name of presenting yourself as a presidential candidate,” Afegbua stated.
He maintained that political ambition should be accompanied by a reasonable level of discipline, insisting that candidates must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the position they seek to occupy.
The Edo commissioner also questioned Sowore's political reach, describing him as someone who fills a gap in Nigeria's political aspirations rather than a candidate with the organisational capacity to compete effectively nationwide.
According to Afegbua, establishing a functional political structure across all 774 local government areas would be a major challenge for the AAC presidential candidate.
He, however, acknowledged that politicians like Sowore play a role in expressing public frustration and providing an avenue for citizens to communicate their opinions.
Afegbua also defended Tinubu's call for adequate security for presidential candidates, arguing that the President's statement after the Abuja incident was consistent with an earlier directive to security agencies.
He said Tinubu had, two or three weeks before the mosque incident, instructed the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to ensure that all presidential candidates received adequate protection.
According to him, the President's latest remarks should therefore not be interpreted as a reaction prompted solely by the hostility he experienced in Abuja.
Afegbua further argued that Tinubu's political background gave him considerable experience in political struggles, noting that the President had faced difficult circumstances during his years in opposition.
He nevertheless stressed that occupying the presidency requires a broader sense of responsibility beyond party interests.
“President Tinubu is not just a member of the party. He's also the leader of the entire country,” he said, adding that the President has demonstrated that every Nigerian belongs, irrespective of political affiliation.
2027: Afegbua attacks Sowore over reaction to attack on Tinubu in Abuja mosque
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