Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has alleged that recurring insecurity and violent attacks in the state are being orchestrated by desperate politicians seeking to destabilise the region.
Mutfwang made the claim on Tuesday while addressing journalists who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Jos, saying the pattern of violence suggests political sponsorship, especially during election cycles.
He recalled past incidents, including the March 7, 2010 Dogo Nahawa attack, where over 1,000 people were killed, and the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed more than 30 lives, noting that such tragedies often coincide with election periods.
“I make bold to say that the insecurity situation in Plateau State is being sponsored by desperate politicians who are out to destabilize the state,” Mutfwang said.
“If you noticed, this violence and attacks always peak during election cycles. What does that tell us? It is a clear indication that it is political; in fact, they are more political than terrorism.”
The governor also referenced recent attacks in Kanam, Wase, and Quan Pan Local Government Areas, which are predominantly Muslim communities, arguing that if the violence were driven by religious extremism, attackers would not target people of the same faith.
“So from our investigations, we have discovered that these attacks are being sponsored by desperate politicians who are bent on destroying Plateau. But we will not allow that to happen,” he added.
The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Jarrett Tenebe has been captured in a viral video threatening to unleash “AK-47 fire” on anyone who attempts to stop the party from delivering large number of votes for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16 election.
Tenebe, who said the party was targeting 2.5 million votes for the president’s re-election, stated that general purpose machine would be invoked against anyone opposing the plan.
“Anyone who wants to create an obstacle for us, I have a prayer for you and the prayer is a lesser prayer because if you invoke Holy Ghost power, that one is more.
“If you invoke a general purpose machine gun, that one is lighter.
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“So everybody who refuses, who wants to stand in our way, for us not to have those votes that we intend to give to Mr President, AK-47 fire,” he said.
The video clip has sparked reactions online, with social media users criticising the ruling party over allegations that it plans to intimidate opposition parties during the elections.
There have been a series of allegations that politicians are threatening and coercing residents into supporting the ruling party ahead of the general elections.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Dr Amos Josiah Dangut as its new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Dangut, who previously served as the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, assumed office on October 1, 2026, becoming the 14th Registrar of the examination body.
His five-year tenure will run from October 2026 to September 2031, succeeding Alhaji Pateh Bah of The Gambia.
The appointment was ratified by the Council, WAEC’s international governing board, during its 74th Annual Meeting held in Accra, Ghana, in March 2026.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC Headquarters, Accra, Demianus G. Ojijeogu.
Dangut, a Nigerian, served as Head of the Nigeria National Office from October 2023 to September 2026 before taking up his new regional position.
Born on October 2, 1967, the new Registrar holds a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production, obtained in 1991; a Master of Science in Animal Science, 1994; a Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, 2017; and a Master of Education in Administration and Planning, 2020.
He began his career in education in 1994 at St. Louis College, Jos, where he worked as a WAEC examiner before joining the Council in 1998.
Since joining WAEC, Dangut has held several positions across its examination and administrative structures.
His previous roles include Assistant Registrar, Test Development Division, Ogba, Lagos; Head of Examinations Security and Deputy Branch Controller in Uyo and Bauchi; Branch Controller in Yola; Controller, Post-Examinations Department; Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja; and Deputy Registrar and Head of the National Office.
The Council described him as an experienced test developer and administrator with more than two decades of experience in examination management.
Dangut has also focused on the use of Information and Communications Technology in test development, examination administration and post-examination activities.
File: West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
During his tenure as Head of the Nigeria National Office, he championed the rollout of Computer-Based WASSCE, serialization of question papers and the introduction of a Digital Electronic Marking System.
He also oversaw the Digital Certificate Portal, WAEC E-Study Platform, Digital Records Archive, as well as systems for examination logistics and the monitoring of examiners.
His career has attracted recognition, including a commendation from the Nigeria Examinations Committee for his handling of examination matters between 2000 and 2006.
He also received an Award for Meritorious Service from the Ondo State Government during his National Youth Service Corps year.
Beyond WAEC, Dangut has served on the boards of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC); Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB); Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB); and Grange Educational Foundation.
He has also represented WAEC at the Joint Consultative Committee on Education and the National Council on Education.
Dangut has published works in international and national journals and presented papers at several conferences.
He currently serves as the Regional Representative of the West African Sub-region on the Executive Board of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA).
He is also a Fellow of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).