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Ladan joins 2027 guber race, says Plateau needs reset

Published

1 month ago

May 21, 2026

Preport

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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NDC: Politicians detest judiciary when it goes against them – Gov Sani

Published

9 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Preport

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has called on Nigerian politicians to desist from politicising everything, including judicial matters, stating that it is not healthy for the nation’s democracy.

Sani made this remark on Tuesday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He was speaking on the recent court judgement on the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC as a political party.

Reacting, Sani said, “When it favours politicians, they feel the judiciary is the best place to go, when it goes against them, they feel the judiciary is the worst place to go.

“For some of us that believe in democracy and the rule of law, we have to be very careful. Politicizing every issue is not healthy for us, because many actors that are involved in this NDC issue have been beneficiaries of the judiciary.

“Maybe you have to cast your mind back that even the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was also someone that benefited from a very strong judicial pronouncement when he was governor of Anambra state.”

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Behold the Talking Points, Expectations as NPFL Unveils Kick-Off Date for 2026/27 Season

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Preport

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially announced that the 2026/27 season will kick off on August 28, 2026, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most ambitious and competitive campaigns in the history of Nigerian domestic football.

With major reforms already unveiled by the league organisers, the new season carries huge expectations from clubs, players, officials and supporters across the country.

Among the biggest talking points is the introduction of a record ₦1 billion prize for the league champions, while the runners-up and third-placed teams are expected to receive ₦500 million and ₦300 million respectively.

The enhanced financial rewards are aimed at improving professionalism and increasing competitiveness in the league.

Player welfare has also received a significant boost with the introduction of a minimum monthly salary of ₦2 million for NPFL players, a move designed to improve living standards and reduce the migration of talented footballers abroad.

Infrastructure development remains another major focus ahead of the new campaign.

Clubs have been directed to upgrade their stadiums, medical facilities and security arrangements to meet club licensing requirements, with failure to comply potentially leading to the loss of hosting rights.

On the commercial side, organisers are working towards expanding television and digital broadcast partnerships to increase the visibility of the NPFL and attract more sponsors and football fans.

These expectations form the major talking points among the fans, and watchers of the league.

There are a certain level of doubts, amid hope on how the new reforms will transform into realities beyond just pronouncements.

Beyond the reforms, to the pitch the 2026/27 season is also expected to produce exciting rivalries, particularly in Lagos, where Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos and Ikorodu City will all compete in the top flight, reviving the prospect of multiple Lagos derbies.

Meanwhile, clubs have intensified their transfer activities as they strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.

CAF representatives and newly promoted teams are among the busiest in the transfer market as they seek to build competitive squads.

With improved financial incentives, better infrastructure, technological upgrades and increased commercial opportunities, expectations are high that the 2026/27 NPFL season will mark another significant step in the growth of Nigerian league football.

The unveiling of the kick off date is the first step to a historic season with Rangers going in as defending Champions and four fresh private clubs join the fray from the lower leagues.