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Plateau Gubernatorial Election: It’s a three horse race to Little Rayfield

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2023

vicky

Since the return to democratic rule in 1999 to date, two political parties have governed Plateau State, but now it’s a three-horse race to the gubernatorial seat.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held sway between 1999 to 2015, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has been in power from 2015 to date.

Prior to the emergence of the APC in 2015, there has never been any serious opposition in the State.

However, since the PDP became the opposition in the state, it has always given the ruling party a good run for its money.

In 2019, it took a rerun for the incumbent Governor of the state, Simon Lalong to be returned to Little Rayfield Government House.

Despite being in power for about eight years, the ruling APC has not really been accepted in the state.

Recall that the sitting Governor, Lalong, lost his senatorial seat in the February 25, 2023 election.

With 24 hours to the governorship polls, the front runners for the number one seat in Little Rayfield include the candidate of the APC in the state, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, who resigned from his position as an INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to run for the governorship of the state.

Nentawe’s candidature has been bedevilled by court cases.

Among the three front runners, he is the youngest, and he is being powered by Governor Simon Lalong.

He has in different fora tried to sell himself to the electorate, but cannot extricate himself from the incumbent government of the state.

Many still believe that his emergence will be a continuation of the Lalong administration since he brought him on board.

But as a ruling party candidate, you can’t write him off.

Nentawe also has acceptance amongst the youths in the state, but his party and structures behind him might be his Achilles heel.

Barr. Caleb Mutfwang won the PDP ticket to run for the gubernatorial seat of the state.

Unlike the APC candidate, Mutfwang’s emergence has been accepted by those who contested against him, as they congratulated him and have even gone on campaigns with him.

There was no litigation challenging his emergence as candidate of the PDP, as he has enjoyed maximum support of the party’s supporters and critical stakeholders in the party.

The PDP candidate was a council chairman in the state and a practising lawyer.

Mutfwang’s term in office as chairman was short-lived following his removal, alongside other council chairmen in July, 2015, by Governor Simon Lalong, before the expiration of their tenure.

As a grassroot politician, Mutfwang has followership cutting across the 17 local governments of the state.

Another plus for the PDP candidate is that the party, despite not being in power for about eight years, is still widely acceptable in the state.

He will be encouraged by his party’s performance in the February 25, 2023 elections, as it won five out of the eight House of Representatives seats in the state and two out of the three senatorial seats, with the third yet to be declared.

For the Labour Party candidate, Dr Patrick Dakum, who like Nentawe has been enmeshed in legal tussle for his party’s ticket, it will be a herculean task.

Dakum was a Commissioner during the Joshua Dariye administration in the state, and before throwing his hat into the governorship contest, was heading the National Centre for Human Virology in the country.

Dakum, who was also of the ruling APC, and was even vying for the governorship ticket of the party, withdrew during the contest when he realised the process was not as seamless as he had expected it to be.

He dumped the APC for Labour Party, and his candidature has been challenged by the party’s initial candidate, Yohanna Margif, until this week, when the Supreme Court declared him the party’s authentic candidate.

The Labour Party, despite its presidential candidate winning the state, did not win any National Assembly seat.

But Dakum is a household name in the state; he is trying to leverage on Peter Obi’s victory in the state, as Obi even visited the state to show his support for him.

Related Topics:It’s a three horse race to Little Rayfield Plateau Gubernatorial Election

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NPFL: Bendel Insurance warn Boboye over unruly behaviour

Published

7 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Preport

Bendel Insurance management have cautioned technical adviser, Kennedy Boboye against a repeat of his misconduct in the matchday 32 encounter with Plateau United.

They said such behaviours will not be tolerated as they remain a disciplined and law-abiding club.

DAILY POST recalls that Boboye received heavy sanctions for attacking a match official after the game.

The Benin-based club also apologised to the Nigeria Referee Association (NRA) for the incident.

“After a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the incident and the consequences there-in, the management expressed disgust and condemned the action of head coach Kennedy Boboye and described the incident as ugly and unfortunate,” Bendel Insurance were quoted by the NPFL media.

‎”The management has also cautioned coach Kennedy Boboye and his crew against a repeat of such action(s), insisting such behaviours will not be tolerated as Insurance FC remain a disciplined and law abiding club.”

News

UN pledges support for displaced Yelewata residents

Published

8 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Preport

The United Nations has assured Yelewata and other victims of conflicts and disasters of its support to return not only to their ancestral homes but also with dignity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, gave the assurance on Friday when she visited the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Yelewata community was attacked on June 13, 2025, during which scores were killed and many properties were destroyed.

Mrs Mohammed stated that the people of Benue and other Nigerians must live and work in a safe and secure environment.

The UN deputy secretary-general said that her visit was to stand in solidarity with the state, especially women and children who suffer the most in times of conflict.

She added that her visit was in solidarity with the Yelewata community, which experienced a terrible and tragic day.

Mrs Mohammed described the June 13 Yelewata attack as a painful moment that must never be allowed to happen again.

She said that the government must do everything possible to ensure that farmers continue their farming in a safe environment.

“It is not right that you must farm in unsafe conditions.

“Instead, we must find ways to bring farming closer to you and ensure that your produce reaches markets that reflect your dignity, markets befitting of the people of Yelewata and Benue,” she said.

According to her, Benue has always been known as the food basket of the nation, and she hoped that the state would reclaim that identity.

“I have listened carefully to all that you have said about your hopes and needs. Ultimately, I know that many of you wish to return home, because home is truly where the heart is.

“We face challenges in our country. I remember coming here when it was Benue Plateau before the divisions into Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau. There were no boundaries; it was one community.

“Back then, even as a Fulani woman among Tiv people, we lived more closely and harmoniously than what we see today. It pains me to witness how things have changed.

“We must return to that unity as Nigerians, embracing the richness of our diversity in religion and culture. It is not impossible.

“For those of us who remember the Nigeria we inherited at independence, we must speak to our young people about what this country once was and what it can be again.

“Without that shared vision, we risk losing our collective future,” she said.

Mrs Mohammed also said that she was deeply committed to amplifying the voices of the voiceless, especially those of women and children.

She said across the Sahel, West Africa, Sudan, Gaza and other conflict-affected regions, conflicts have continued to cause pain and suffering for innocent people.

“Let this be our tribute to those who lost their lives: that we will build a better community, a better Benue, and a better Nigeria. A country where all citizens are equal. That must remain our goal.

“As a Nigerian, I am committed to this. As the UN Deputy Secretary-General, I am committed to amplifying your voices and ensuring that your struggles and those of many others across the country are heard.

“Across the Sahel, in West Africa, and in places like Sudan and Gaza, conflict continues to cause suffering. We must prioritise peace. Without peace, we cannot return to our farms.

“Without peace, our economy cannot grow. Without peace, the 70% of our population who are young people will have no future.

“We must also hold our politicians accountable. Peace is what we demand. That is why we vote,” she said.

Earlier, Governor Hyacinth Alia directed the immediate reopening of the Yelewata Market for commercial activities.

Mr Alia acknowledged the contributions of the UN and its agencies for their efforts towards the plight of all IDPs in Benue.

The governor said that insecurity was threatening the peace and unity of the country and Benue in particular and commended Mohammed for visiting the state.

(NAN)