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NUJ sets agenda for plateau politicians

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Politicians vying for the gubernatorial seat in Plateau State, ahead of the 2023 general elections have been urged to ensure they have a blueprint that would ensure they utilize the numerous mineral resources and other potentials in the State to guarantee speedy development.

The politicians were also asked to put in leadership positions, competent technocrats who would help shape the economy and bring good governance to the people and cautioned against empty politicking which hinders development.

These were the views of the Director of Research, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Professor Dung Sha who spoke at public discourse, an event organized by the Plateau State chapter, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ with the theme – Beyond Politicking: Harnessing Plateau Potential.

Speaking on the topic – Beyond Politicking: Rethinking a patriotic agenda for the development of Plateau State, Professor Sha, a professor of Political Economy and Development Studies maintained that leadership must be consciously reactivated to add value, the idea of a winner takes it all and excessive partisanship, blame game, as well as ruling party versus opposition party squabbles, be jettisoned for good governance to thrive.

His words, “Avoid pure politicking if you are going to take over Little Rayfield come 2023 because pure politics reduces the level of unity of purpose and lack of cohesion amongst the people. It weakens the possibility of development, lowers the level of governance, lowers services delivery, and leads to catastrophic spending and catastrophic pilfering of resources.”

He advocated the reorganization of the security, education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, and tourism sub-sectors and asked that attention be paid to the local governance, improving the internally generated revenue and reduction in the cost of governance, stressing, “there’s a need to go beyond the usual politicking that takes place in Plateau State and invest time to discuss ways of harnessing the potential and resources of the State for development and the common good of all.”

Also, the Chairman of the event, Professor Nanven Gambo who is the Vice Chancellor of Karl Kum University, Jos frowned at the level of insults being thrown at people in the name of politics and reiterated that politics has to be developmental hence the discourse should be able to set progressive agenda for the growth of the State.

He said, “Plateau has been a heavily endowed State, everything on the Plateau can be turned into something useful for humanity. But why are we where we are? Our focus should be what are those gaps the candidates have seen and will fill. Let us be constructive and not pull down the State. People are trying to incite violence in some instances. Without peace and order, we cannot do anything, let us be constructive and developmental in politics.”

However, the Vice Chairman of NUJ Zone D, Chris Atsaka who represented the NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo commended the Plateau State chapter of the Union saying as critical stakeholders, the event was a part of the agenda setting for the development of Plateau State and the State NUJ Chairman, Paul Jatau noted the event was an occasion to “draw the attention of candidates and their followers to observe decorum in the course of political campaigns as the campaign should be issues-based and devoid of molestation and rancor.”

Among those in attendance were candidates vying for different political offices and they used the opportunity to highlight some of the plans they have to bring good governance to the people.

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Abiodun moves to reconcile aggrieved APC members in Ogun East

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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has moved to reconcile aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who lost in the party’s recent primaries, assuring them that there would be room for all within the party.

Abiodun, who spoke on Monday in Ijebu-Ode during a meeting with APC leaders and stakeholders in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, directed the immediate establishment of a reconciliation committee to reach out to aggrieved members, address their concerns and give them a sense of belonging.

The Governor said the reconciliation effort was critical to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that those who contested and lost the primaries remained important members of the APC.

“I want us to set up a reconciliation committee in Ijebu-Ode because I know that we have some of our members who are still angry. I want us to be aggressive about that reconciliation. Let us appeal to them. I am ready to implement the report of the reconciliation you will submit to me,” he said.

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Abiodun directed that the committee be headed by Chief Olu Okuboyejo, with former Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga and state commissioners serving as members.

He also directed that similar reconciliation committees be established at the ward and local government levels to ensure that no aggrieved member was left out of the process.

The Governor assured party members that the objective was not only to reconcile those who lost in the primaries but also to accommodate everyone who remained committed to the party.

“We must reach out to them, give them a sense of belonging, assuage their concerns and ensure proper reconciliation. There is room for everybody,” he said.

Abiodun said elections were about numbers, urging party leaders to bring back members who might have become aggrieved while simultaneously expanding the APC’s membership base by welcoming new members from opposition parties.

“Those who were not with us before were the ones disturbing us and making sure our votes in Ijebu-Ode are not 100 per cent. But now that they are with us, our victory is certainly 100 per cent sure. Let us welcome them,” he said.

The Governor urged party members to concentrate on issue-based campaigns, saying the APC had a record of performance at both the state and federal levels.

He said his administration had grown Ogun State’s economy to about N17 trillion, while internally generated revenue had risen to N250 billion and was projected to reach N300 billion before the end of the year.

Abiodun described the meeting as the formal commencement of his political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and appreciated the people of Ijebu-Ode for their support for the APC in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

He assured the people that his administration would continue to improve infrastructure and deliver more dividends of democracy to the area.

The Director-General of the Campaign Committee, Senator Lekan Mustapha, said Ijebu-Ode, being the headquarters of Ogun East Senatorial District, had a significant voter population that must be effectively mobilised for the party ahead of the elections.

He noted that the local government had 161 polling units, stressing the need for effective mobilisation across all the units.

The Governor later held similar meetings with APC leaders and executives in Ijebu-North East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Gov. Mutfwang imposes curfew in three Plateau LGAs over insecurity

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Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has declared a curfew in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of the state over security threats in the region.

A statement on Monday by Joyce Ramnap, the commissioner for information and communication, said the dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed to stabilise the state.

‎‎“‎Effective today, Monday, September 21, 2026, the restriction of movement is between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM until further notice,” she said.

She stated that Mr Mutfwang took the measure to allow law enforcement agencies to stabilise the area, protect lives, and prevent any breakdown of law and order within local communities.

“‎‎Therefore, all residents of affected Local Government Areas are expected to fully comply with the government’s directive for their own safety,” Ms Ramnap said.

She added that citizens are advised to plan their daily commercial, agricultural and personal activities strictly around the restricted hours to avoid unnecessary hardship or friction during the quiet hours.

“‎‎So far, security operatives have been directed to strictly enforce the curfew and the ban on use of motorcycles with immediate effect throughout the affected jurisdiction,” she noted.

She reassured law-abiding citizens that security personnel would operate with professionalism.

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