News

Youths riot in Plateau over alleged plot to install emir

Published

4 years ago

August 29, 2022

Preport

Yelwa, a community in the Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, was thrown into chaos on Friday over an alleged plot by the Simon Lalong-led administration to create an emirate in the area.

Scores of youths rioting over the rumours vandalised the palace of the traditional ruler, Long Goemai of Shendam.

Many shops and buildings were also looted in the melee.

The development was a hot topic of discussion among citizens of the areas who took to community-focused Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms to berate the government.

Plangkat Milaham, socio-political commentator, posted: “Lalong plans to do something controversial. He leaks the information to test people’s reaction, so he can decide whether to go ahead or not. (politics 101).

The reaction he gets is very negative. He sends his boys to blame the opposition party & tag it “PDP propaganda”.

Posting on Twitter with the handle @yitkyim, a legal practitioner said: “So I’m hearing Lalong messed up (but it’s as usual if you know what I mean) one will expect that commissioner of information and press secretary would be having a tough time trying to come with a defense right? But no! I’m sure it’s ICT WhatsApp group brainstorming now.”

The government has, however, debunked the report, calling it the machination and imagination of mischief makers.

In a statement made available to journalists by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, he urged citizens of the state to turn a deaf ear to the unfounded story.

“The Government wishes to put it on record that there has never been any time that such idea was contemplated or even discussed. To say the least, this is the imagination and machination of mischief makers aimed at throwing the State into the dark old days thereby drawing the hands of the clock backwards and making nonsense of the peace we have achieved since the coming of the rescue administration ably led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG,” the statement read.

Plateau, a predominantly Christian state, has a sordid history of ethno-religious strife.

While relative normalcy has returned to Yelwa and environ, the government urged people to go about their normal business.

“Government hereby beckons on the general public particularly residents of Shendam Local Government to be circumspect and go about their normal duties by disregarding such dangerous rumours and providing timely information to security agencies to enable them act swiftly,” the statement added.

The recent tension in Yelwa comes as the government is still pushing back against public rage over the proposed public-private partnership with an Islamic bank to rebuild the Jos Main Market.

Source: News Gazette

News

PDP factions disowns Pantami, names different governorship candidates in Gombe

Published

21 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Preport

A fresh crisis has emerged in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State as two rival factions have announced different governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 election.

The faction led by Tanimu Turaki has presented Mohammed Yayari as its governorship candidate. Yayari received his Certificate of Return during a ceremony on Wednesday alongside other candidates from different states.

At the event, party leaders stressed the need for loyalty among candidates and warned against leaving the party after securing nominations.

PDP chieftain Ibrahim Turaki said, “Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it,” adding that future candidates would sign agreements before their names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, said, “We are ready to go into the elections prepared with our candidates.”

Meanwhile, another PDP faction held a separate National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, where former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, was officially presented as the party’s governorship candidate for Gombe State.

The rival group, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, also presented Certificates of Return to candidates it said had been recognised and published by INEC.

Pantami’s emergence has deepened the leadership dispute within the PDP in Gombe, with both factions now backing different candidates for the same governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

Entertainment

PLABOMA to Launch Unified Bloggers Platform at World Social Media Day Celebration

Published

37 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

vicky

The Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) has announced plans to unveil a Unified Bloggers Online Platform during the 2026 World Social Media Day Celebration scheduled to hold in Jos, Plateau State.

The unveiling, which is expected to be one of the major highlights of the event, is aimed at fostering collaboration, strengthening professional networking, and promoting a more coordinated digital media community across the state.

The World Social Media Day Celebration is slated for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Usiju World Event Center, near the Plateau State Secretariat, Jos, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the organizers said the platform is designed to bring together bloggers, content creators, digital publishers, and online media practitioners under a common structure that encourages information sharing, capacity development, and collective growth within the digital media space.

The event, themed “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” will bring together bloggers, social media influencers, youth leaders, entrepreneurs, students, digital innovators, and members of the public to explore the evolving role of social media in shaping public discourse and empowering young people.

According to PLABOMA, participants will engage in discussions on emerging trends in digital media, content creation, online engagement, and the opportunities available within the digital economy. The celebration is also expected to provide a platform for networking, learning, and collaboration among stakeholders in the media and technology sectors.

The association noted that the launch of the Unified Bloggers Online Platform reflects its commitment to strengthening the voice of online media practitioners in Plateau State while creating opportunities for innovation, mentorship, and professional development.

PLABOMA further encouraged bloggers, content creators, social media influencers, students, entrepreneurs, and other interested members of the public to participate in the event and contribute to conversations on the future of digital communication and youth engagement.

Registration for the event is free and can be completed through the online registration form.

The organizers described the celebration as more than a commemoration of social media, noting that it will serve as a platform for inspiration, collaboration, innovation, and impact among digital media stakeholders in Plateau State and beyond.

For inquiries and partnership opportunities, interested individuals and organizations can contact the organizers via email at plateaubloggers@gmail.com or through the designated telephone lines.

The event is expected to attract a broad spectrum of participants from across the digital media ecosystem as PLABOMA seeks to promote responsible online engagement and harness the transformative power of social media for development.