Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, says the flag bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, will dump the party if their expectations are not realized.

Ahmad made this statement in a post on his verified X handle.

According to him, Peter Obi and Kwankwaso see the NDC primarily as a vehicle for the 2027 elections.

He added that the difference in political timelines and objectives could make it difficult for the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, and Obi/Kwankwaso’s ambitions to align sustainably.

“If Obi and Kwankwaso’s expectations are not realised within the party, they will definitely move on to another platform ahead of the 2031 for the same reason.

“It is obvious that Dickson is only pursuing a long-term political project, not a short-term electoral arrangement.

“From what I understood, his focus is to build a formidable political platform this time that could position him strongly for presidency in 2031 or so,” he wrote.

The Plateau State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, has commenced a two-day orientation and induction workshop for newly absorbed NG-CARES staff into the state civil service.

The workshop, organised by the Plateau State CARES Coordinating Unit (PL-SCCU), is holding from Wednesday, June 10 to Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Millennium International Conference Centre, opposite Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos.

The programme, which also featured participants drawn from various backgrounds, is aimed at integrating contract staff into the formal civil service structure while strengthening their understanding of public service rules, ethics, and performance expectations.

Speaking during the opening session, the State Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr. Haggai Gutap, said the absorption of staff into the civil service was a deliberate policy by the state government to retain trained human capital and avoid the recurrent loss of skilled personnel after programme cycles.

He explained that previous World Bank-supported interventions often relied on contract staff who were disengaged after project completion, leading to the loss of institutional capacity. According to him, the current approach ensures sustainability and continuity in governance.

“This set of people have been trained over the years, and letting them go would mean incurring losses as a state. The Governor believes in human capital development and has approved their absorption to retain their expertise,” he said.

Dr. Gutap further noted that the NG-CARES programme operates on a results-based financing model, where disbursements from the World Bank are tied strictly to performance outcomes, stressing the need for efficiency, teamwork, and adherence to operational guidelines.

He added that the state is transitioning into NG-CARES 2.0, aimed at consolidating achievements and maintaining Plateau State’s leading position in programme implementation nationwide.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the Plateau State Civil Service Commission, Prof. Paul S. Wai, described the induction as a significant milestone, noting that absorption into the civil service goes beyond employment to becoming part of a structured system guided by rules, values, and institutional traditions.

He urged the new officers to uphold professionalism, integrity, accountability, loyalty, and discipline, stressing that ignorance of civil service regulations is not an excuse for non-compliance.

“The Civil Service remains the permanent machinery of government. Your success depends on your competence, dedication, and adherence to established rules and procedures,” he said.

Prof. Wai further encouraged continuous learning, merit-based progression, and result-oriented performance, noting that government expects improved service delivery and innovation from civil servants.

He also commended the administration of Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for its commitment to building a professional, technology-driven civil service and for absorbing qualified NG-CARES personnel into the system.

In a goodwill message, the representative of the Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Rebecca Shaset, described the initiative as timely, noting that the civil service is governed strictly by rules and procedures.

She urged the newly inducted staff to demonstrate accountability, competence, dedication, and commitment to duty in order to build public confidence in government institutions.

“As civil servants, you must comply with the rules and show dedication to effectively deliver services to the public,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Gladys Lircit Sodo, Deputy Director (Administration), Plateau State Ministry of Finance, who represented the Commissioner for Finance and Chairperson of the State Steering Committee on NG-CARES, encouraged participants to engage actively in the training, share experiences, and prepare for effective programme implementation.

She commended the organisers for equipping the new staff with the necessary orientation, describing NG-CARES as a critical intervention programme requiring commitment and readiness for impact-driven delivery.

The workshop, supported by the World Bank through World Bank and implemented under the NG-CARES framework, is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance service delivery in Plateau State’s public service system.