The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has backed the decision of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON in the state to suspend the activities of transport unions in public motor parks, saying the measure is aimed at addressing recurring violence and improving public safety.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC described the suspension as a proactive step by local government authorities to curb violent incidents allegedly linked to motor parks across the state.

The party said the announcement made by Osun ALGON Vice Chairman, Lanre Balogun, reflected the commitment of local government administrations to protecting lives and property within their areas of responsibility.

According to the APC, “the suspension of transport union activities was intended to reduce incidents of extra-judicial killings and restore order in public motor parks pending further measures to strengthen security.

“The suspension of the union activities in all the motor parks in the state by the ALGON was a right step in the right direction as it would be an act of sheer irresponsibility for the local government chairmen to watch the people of the state being unjustifiably killed.”

The opposition party accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing in its constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, alleging that the state government had not responded adequately to security concerns.

The APC alleged that some individuals involved in violent activities were being protected by the state government, claiming that certain transport union officials also occupied political appointments within the Adeleke administration.

“It is bizarre to witness the harbouring of some of these dangerous political hoodlums in the Osun State Government House from where they come out to attack their victims and rush back to the state government refuge to evade arrest and prosecution,” the statement added.

The party maintained that elected local government chairmen had a responsibility to prevent public facilities under their control from becoming centres of insecurity, irrespective of political disagreements.

Defending ALGON’s authority to issue the directive, the APC cited Paragraph 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, arguing that local government councils are empowered to regulate motor parks and promote public order.

The statement urged critics of the suspension to examine the constitutional provisions relating to the responsibilities of local government councils before challenging the legality of the directive.

For years, Hon. Hitler Joshua Pwajok was better known as a grassroots political mobiliser than a candidate. From coordinating youth-driven campaigns to rallying support for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates across Plateau State, he largely remained behind the scenes, helping others secure electoral victories.

Today, the political equation has changed.

Having emerged as the PDP candidate for the Barkin Ladi State House of Assembly seat ahead of the 2027 general election, Pwajok is now seeking the mandate of the same people he spent years mobilising to support other candidates.

His political profile rose significantly during the 2023 general election when he served as Director-General of the youth-led “Time Is Now” campaign, a movement that mobilised thousands of young voters and played a key role in the emergence of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as Governor of Plateau State.

The youth mobilisation structure became one of the defining features of the PDP’s grassroots campaign, coordinating volunteers and expanding youth participation across the state.

Following the victory, Pwajok remained active within the PDP, coordinating grassroots mobilisation and youth engagement for several candidates during elections and party activities.

His ability to build support at the ward and community levels earned him recognition as one of the party’s dependable grassroots organisers.

His appointment as Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation and Engagement to Governor Mutfwang marked another phase of public service.

In that role, he worked with youth organisations, student bodies, community leaders, civil society groups and development partners to deepen youth participation in governance and strengthen engagement between government and young people across Plateau State.

One of the landmark initiatives during his tenure was the Plateau Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (PYAEP), through which 1,000 youths drawn from the state’s 17 local government areas were engaged in commercial agriculture at BARC Farms.

The initiative brought together beneficiaries irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations, with the aim of creating jobs, boosting agricultural productivity and promoting peaceful coexistence among young people.

Beyond government programmes, Pwajok continued to champion youth inclusion through leadership forums, stakeholder engagements and grassroots mobilisation, reinforcing his reputation as a bridge between government and young people across Plateau.

Now carrying the PDP flag in Barkin Ladi, Pwajok is presenting himself as a candidate whose political journey has been shaped by years of mobilisation, public service and community engagement.

His campaign is centred on improving security, tackling youth unemployment, strengthening agriculture and providing effective legislative representation.

Upon receiving his certificate of candidacy from the PDP’s Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Pwajok described the moment as the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration and reaffirmed his commitment to selfless service.

He said his focus would be on ensuring that Barkin Ladi receives effective representation in the Plateau State House of Assembly while addressing the constituency’s pressing security and economic challenges.

Pwajok also maintained that the era of politics built on unfulfilled promises must come to an end, insisting that representation should be measured by performance, accountability and visible impact.

He further expressed confidence that the PDP, under its current leadership, is united and prepared to offer what he described as a progressive and people-centred alternative for Barkin Ladi, Plateau State and Nigeria.