Dr Daniel Kim has been named as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Chief Kefas Ropshik Kefiano, for the 2027 governorship election.

The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party in Plateau State unveiled the running mate following the party’s nomination of Chief John Arkson as Chairman of the party’s Elders Council. Chris Hassan is the Director-General of the party’s Campaign Organisation.

Chief Kefiano explained that despite the litigations the party had faced in recent times, the PDP remained a force to be reckoned with in Plateau State politics and Nigeria as a whole.

To ensure that the state’s zoning arrangement was preserved, Chief Kefiano explained that he was running for the governorship with the intention of serving for one term, stressing that the zoning of the governorship among the state’s three senatorial districts was sacrosanct and would be strictly adhered to.

He noted, “Previous attempts to sidestep the arrangement had been rejected by the people of the state, resulting in the loss of the governorship by the party in power.”

He stated that Plateau people are some of the most conscientious people in the country and that they always adhere to zoning regulations, assuring that he would serve for four years in one term to complete the two terms of his senatorial district.

He said that their campaign would be issue-based, lamenting that the government in the state had failed the people.

A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Hon. Johnbull Shekarau, praised the patience and resilience members of the party had displayed in the course of the struggle for recognition, saying that these had helped the party get to where it is at the moment.

The State Chairman of the party, Hon. Peter Tongshien, explained that the names of all the party’s candidates had been submitted to the National Secretariat of the party and successfully uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, assuring that the PDP was fully ready in the state to commence its campaign in line with INEC guidelines.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has commended the Lagos State Government for what he described as a remarkable transformation of the state’s sporting infrastructure, following an inspection visit to the newly rehabilitated Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

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Hon. Adeboye, who toured the facility, expressed delight at the quality of work executed, particularly the installation of a natural grass playing surface built to international standards, describing the development as a major boost to sports development in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

The Presidential aide noted that the impressive rehabilitation of Teslim Balogun Stadium, alongside the continued upgrade of the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, and the excellent condition of the Agege Stadium, demonstrates the Lagos State Government’s commitment to providing modern sporting facilities capable of nurturing talents and hosting major local and international competitions.

“World-class facilities are the foundation of world-class athletes. What I have seen here at the Teslim Balogun Stadium is truly commendable. The quality of work, especially the natural grass pitch and the overall standard of the facility, reflects a genuine commitment to sports development.”

Hon. Adeboye praised Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for prioritising sports infrastructure as part of his administration’s developmental agenda, noting that quality facilities remain one of the most important ingredients for discovering and developing future champions.

He also applauded the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, and his team for their dedication and effective supervision of the rehabilitation projects, which he said have restored confidence in Lagos as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting destinations.

According to the SSA, the renewed look of Teslim Balogun Stadium and the impressive condition of Agege Stadium are clear indications that Lagos is reclaiming its place as the home of sports excellence in Nigeria.

“Lagos is setting an example for other states to follow. When government deliberately invests in quality sporting infrastructure, it creates opportunities for talent discovery, athlete development and the successful hosting of major competitions. This is the kind of investment that guarantees long-term success in sports.”

Hon. Adeboye stressed that modern facilities are essential to the Federal Government’s vision of strengthening grassroots sports development, explaining that young athletes can only maximise their potential when they train and compete in environments that meet international standards.

He reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains committed to expanding access to quality sporting infrastructure across the country as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with particular emphasis on grassroots sports development.

The Presidential aide disclosed that his office is already advancing plans to improve sports infrastructure at the grassroots level, including the proposed construction of community and school sports facilities across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, to ensure that talented young Nigerians have access to quality environments where they can develop their abilities.

“Our vision is to replicate this kind of infrastructure development across Nigeria. Every community deserves functional sporting facilities because that is where champions are discovered. If we are serious about producing future Olympians, world champions and football stars, then we must continue investing in quality infrastructure from the grassroots.”

Hon. Adeboye expressed optimism that the continued collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments and the private sector would accelerate the growth of Nigerian sports and provide a sustainable foundation for future generations of athletes.