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Ladan joins 2027 guber race, says Plateau needs reset

Published

5 months ago

May 21, 2026

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alex Ladan, has formally declared his ambition to contest the 2027 governorship election in Plateau State, saying the state requires “a reset” to address worsening insecurity, declining agricultural productivity and challenges in the education sector.

Ladan made the declaration in Mangu on Tuesday during a gathering attended by Party supporters, community leaders and stakeholders, where calls were also made for greater youth participation in leadership.

Addressing the crowd, he said Plateau had drifted away from the peaceful and prosperous vision established by the founding fathers of the State and the PDP.

“Plateau needs a reset,” he declared. “We must return to the values of unity, development and people-centred leadership.”

The governorship aspirant described the PDP as a Party deeply rooted in democratic ideals, recalling the contributions of elder statesmen such as Solomon Lar and former governor Jonah Jang, and others to the political development of the State.

Speaking on insecurity, Ladan lamented the continued attacks and killings in parts of the State, stressing that the government must prioritise the protection of lives and property.

“Plateau, as a multi-tribal state, once enjoyed peace and coexistence until forces of division emerged to sow discord among the people,” he said.

He urged residents not to allow ethnic and religious differences divide them, insisting that Christians and Muslims had lived peacefully together for generations.

“Our security challenges should not push us into fighting ourselves. We must stand united against those threatening the peace of our communities,” he added.

Ladan also identified agriculture as one of the major sectors capable of restoring economic growth in the State if properly managed.

He promised to revive abandoned agricultural programmes, particularly the Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC), which he said was established to promote mechanised farming and improve food production across the State.

“Plateau remains the food basket of Nigeria. Government must invest deliberately in agriculture to empower farmers and create jobs for young people,” he said.

On education, the PDP stalwart pledged to improve schools and expand access to technical and vocational learning, warning that the growing number of out-of-school children posed a serious threat to the future of the state.

According to him, the government alone cannot solve the problem without the support of parents and communities.

“We must collectively encourage our children to embrace education because they are the future of Plateau,” he stated.

Ladan further paid tribute to the late Joseph Gomwalk, describing him as a visionary leader whose policies laid the foundation for infrastructural and institutional development in the Middle Belt.

On his continued stay in the PDP despite recent defections, Ladan said abandoning the Party would amount to betraying the trust and sacrifices of loyal supporters.

“The PDP umbrella may look torn today, but some of us are determined to remain and rebuild it,” he said.

He maintained that the defection of the State governor, Caleb Mutfwang to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had created a vacuum within the opposition Party, adding that consultations with stakeholders and supporters informed his decision to join the governorship race.

Ladan, however, appealed to his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the political season.

“This is democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Every aspirant has the right to seek the mandate of the people,” he said.

Some stakeholders at the event also argued that younger leaders should be allowed to govern, saying the energy and ideas of the youth were needed to reposition Plateau State for growth and stability.

Related Topics:Ladan joins 2027 guber race says Plateau needs reset

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LA 2028 Olympics Race: Chelle Invites 31 Home-Based Players for Crucial DR Congo U23 AFCON Qualifiers

Published

2 hours ago

October 23, 2026

PlateauReports

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s crucial U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the country intensifies preparations for a return to Olympic men’s football at Los Angeles 2028.

Sports247 reports that the provisional squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards drawn largely from clubs competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

All invited players are expected to report to AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 25, ahead of the two-legged qualifying encounter scheduled for November.

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13, before hosting the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Tuesday, November 17.

The aggregate winner will progress to the final qualifying round for the U23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt. The continental tournament will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Nigeria received a bye into the second qualifying round, while DR Congo advanced after eliminating Mauritania.

Sporting Lagos have five representatives in the squad, including goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Hillary Zion, midfielders Victor Samuel and Muhammad Salihu, and forward Ayoola Olaniyan.

Rivers United contribute four players, while Warri Wolves also have four representatives. Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Rangers International are among the other clubs represented.

The invitations provide an opportunity for domestic league players to demonstrate their qualities at international level. Nigeria’s men’s football team has enjoyed considerable Olympic success, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.

However, the country failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 tournaments. The upcoming qualifiers therefore represent another opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s Olympic football ambitions.

With Chelle assembling a squad dominated by domestic talents, attention now turns to preparations in Ijebu-Ode as the Olympic Eagles target a positive result against DR Congo and another step towards Los Angeles 2028.

FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers (4): Chinemerem Olughu (Nasarawa United), Clinton Andy (Rivers United), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).

Defenders (9): Gift Subi (Warri Wolves), Hillary Zion (Sporting Lagos), Emmanuel Utake (Rivers United), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers International), Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International), Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United), Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United), Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

Midfielders (8): Freeman Wuchirwe (Bendel Insurance), Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos), Umar Mohammed (Nasarawa United), Lucky Oraro (Warri Wolves), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Sani Shuaibu (Warri Wolves), Muhammad Salihu (Sporting Lagos), Jude Eventus (Warri Wolves).

Forwards (10): Junior Ikechukwu (Ikorodu City), Timothy Zechariah (Rivers United), Williams Wonah (Enyimba FC), Ayoola Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos), Chijioke Samuel (Enyimba FC), Jofrank Joshua (Nasarawa United), Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers International), Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).

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TUDUN WADA, OTHER PLATEAU COMMUNITIES TO GET ELECTRICITY BOOST!

Published

2 hours ago

October 23, 2026

PlateauReports

70-TRANSFORMER PROJECT REACHES 98% COMPLETION AS PLATEAU EXPANDS POWER ACCESS

There could be brighter days ahead for Tudun Wada and several other communities across Plateau State, as the state government says its ongoing 70-transformer electricity intervention project has reached 98% completion. ⚡️

The intervention is aimed at improving electricity supply and expanding access to power in communities that have experienced inadequate or unreliable electricity supply.

Among the communities listed to benefit from the intervention are Tudun Wada, Naraguta, Rikkos, Nasarawa, Agingi, Longwa, Zawan and Du, alongside other communities across the state.

💡 TUDUN WADA AMONG BENEFICIARIES

For residents of Tudun Wada, the development could mean improved power capacity for homes, businesses, shops, schools and other community activities.

Reliable electricity remains an important part of everyday life, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs who depend on power to operate equipment, preserve goods and provide services.

From barbershops and salons to restaurants, cold-drink businesses, tailoring shops, phone charging centres, printing businesses and other small enterprises, improved electricity supply could help reduce dependence on alternative sources of power.

⚡️ OLD TRANSFORMERS TO BE REFURBISHED

According to the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti, the intervention is not only about installing new transformers.

Some existing and old transformers are also being refurbished and redeployed to areas where they are needed.

This approach is expected to help maximise available infrastructure while extending electricity support to more communities.

🏘️ GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE AREAS WITH GREATER NEED

Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has also approved the relocation of some transformer units to communities considered to have greater electricity needs.

The move is expected to ensure that available power infrastructure is directed to areas where it can have the greatest impact.

With the project now reportedly at 98% completion, attention will be on the final stages of implementation and when the affected communities will begin to fully experience the benefits.

🌟 MORE POWER, MORE OPPORTUNITIES

Electricity is more than just light in our homes.

For local businesses, it can mean longer operating hours, reduced operating costs and increased productivity.

For students, it can provide better conditions for studying at night.

For households, it can bring greater convenience.

And for communities like Tudun Wada, improved electricity supply could support economic activities and contribute to a better quality of life.

💡 More transformers.
⚡️ More communities.
🏘️ More access to electricity.
📈 More opportunities for Plateau residents.

But the big question remains: