REBUTTAL TO FALSE CLAIMS OF WITHDRAWAL BY CHIEF YILCHINI JAN BIDA

(BY WALBE OGAK)

The Campaign Organization of Chief Yilchini Jan Bida has noted with concern a misleading publication currently circulating on social media, falsely alleging that Chief Yilchini Jan Bida has withdrawn from the APC Governorship race to accept an appointment as Adviser on Security Intelligence and Homeland Strategy.

We wish to categorically state that the publication is entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to mislead APC members, supporters, and the people of Plateau State.

Chief Yilchini Jan Bida remains firmly in the race for the APC Governorship Primaries and is fully committed to providing purposeful, inclusive, and people-oriented leadership for Plateau State.

As the APC primaries approach and the momentum behind The LIGHTS Movement continues to grow across the state, it is evident that some desperate political actors have resorted to propaganda, misinformation, and calculated falsehoods in an attempt to create confusion among delegates and supporters. However, the people of Plateau State are politically conscious and capable of distinguishing facts from political desperation.

We therefore call on party faithfuls, supporters, and the general public to disregard the fake publication and rely only on official statements issued by the Campaign Organization and verified platforms of Chief Yilchini Jan Bida.

The mission remains clear.

The vision remains intact.

The movement remains strong.

Chief Yilchini Jan Bida has neither withdrawn from the race nor entered into any arrangement as falsely claimed by purveyors of misinformation.

Plateau State deserves issue-based politics founded on truth, integrity, and responsible engagement — not propaganda and deception.

Signed:

THE LIGHTS Media

Anxiety, Expectations as APC Conducts Direct Primaries Tomorrow

(BY WALBE OGAK)

Anxiety and expectations are mounting within the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of tomorrow’s National Assembly primaries to be conducted through direct congresses, where all registered and card-carrying party members are expected to vote for their preferred candidates.

Unlike previous elections where candidates emerged through the delegate system — a process heavily criticized over allegations of bribery, intimidation, and abuse of power — the party is now adopting the direct primary method, allowing wider participation of members at the grassroots.

Political observers and party stakeholders describe the exercise as a defining moment for the ruling party, especially as it marks the first major direct primary process by the APC in the Fourth Republic.

Several factors have heightened tension ahead of the exercise, including the recent wave of defections by governors and prominent politicians into the APC, growing internal competition among various interest groups within the party, and fears that unsuccessful aspirants may defect after the primaries.

As the ruling party prepares for the crucial exercise, many party faithful believe the conduct and outcome of the primaries will test the APC’s internal democracy, unity, and ability to manage its expanding political structure ahead of the general elections.

APC faces alleged backdoor e-registration controversy ahead of primaries

(BY Adamu Musa)

Speculation have emerged over an alleged selective e-registration exercise reportedly taking place outside the official APC registration platform ahead of the party primaries. The alleged development is said to involve the registration of only selected members, raising fresh concerns within the party.

Sources within the party alleged that the exercise is not being conducted through the officially recognized APC registration portal, a situation that has generated anxiety among stakeholders and party faithfuls across various wards and local government areas. Some members fear the process could influence participation in the forthcoming primaries.

The allegations have further sparked debates over transparency, credibility, and fairness within the party’s internal processes. Party supporters and concerned members are calling on the leadership of the APC to clarify the situation and ensure that all registration activities follow due process and the party’s established guidelines ahead of the primaries.

Ahead of APC Primaries, Ephraim Usman Meets Bokkos APC Officials, Presents Manifesto

(BY WALBE OGAK)

As political consultations intensify ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, Plateau Central senatorial aspirant, Chief Ephraim Usman, alongside his campaign Director General and team, paid a consultative visit to APC officials in Bokkos Local Government Area where he presented his manifesto and solicited support.

During the meeting, Chief Ephraim Usman highlighted three critical issues central to his aspiration, emphasizing equality, inclusiveness, and the need to carry everyone along in the political process. He also canvassed support for the zoning of the Plateau Central Senate seat to Kanam Local Government Area, noting that Kanam remains the only local government in the zone yet to produce a senator.

Various speakers at the gathering described Chief Ephraim Usman as a humble and compassionate leader whose philanthropic gestures have endeared him to many people across the zone. They noted that his integrity, accessibility, and commitment to public service distinguish him as a credible candidate capable of representing the interests of Plateau Central effectively.

Addressing party officials and supporters, Chief Ephraim Usman appreciated the leadership and supremacy of the APC, while expressing gratitude for the warm reception accorded him by the people of Bokkos.

He reiterated his commitment to unity, equity, and peaceful coexistence, stressing that his political philosophy is rooted in service to the people. According to him, his experience as a commissioner and politician has exposed him to the needs and aspirations of the people of Plateau Central, which he said require purposeful representation and repositioning.

Chief Ephraim Usman also urged party faithfuls to be cautious of politicians who only identify with the people during election periods and disappear immediately after elections. He maintained that leadership should be rooted in constant engagement, accessibility, and genuine concern for the welfare of the people.

The senatorial aspirant was accompanied by some of his classmates from the Pankshin Old Boys Association drawn from across Plateau Central. The classmates described Chief Ephraim Usman as a well-articulated and visionary personality with the capacity to deliver quality representation if elected into office.

He further assured party members that, if elected, he would maintain continuous interaction with the people and ensure inclusive leadership by carrying everyone along in the affairs of governance.

Ephraim Usman’s Grassroots Tour Gains Momentum as He Visits Pankshin, Kanke Today

(BY WALBE OGAK)

Following the massive turnout of APC stakeholders and party faithfuls during his consultations in Bokkos and Mangu earlier in the week, Chief Ephraim Usman is set to continue his grassroots engagement tour with visits to Pankshin and Kanke Local Government Areas today. The campaign train has continued to attract strong support from traditional rulers, youth groups, women associations, and community leaders eager to hear his message of responsive representation, unity, and inclusive development.

The visits, which featured town hall meetings and consultations with various interest groups, underscored Usman’s emphasis on listening to the people before making promises. In both Bokkos and Mangu, he stressed that effective leadership begins with presence and direct engagement with constituents to better understand the challenges facing the various communities. Discussions in Bokkos focused largely on purposeful representation and the need for leaders who remain accessible beyond election periods, while the Mangu leg of the tour witnessed strong participation from women and youth groups, alongside traditional leaders who welcomed his message of unity across ethnic and religious divides.

With the campaign train now moving to Pankshin and Kanke, party officials say the consultations will maintain the same grassroots approach through open dialogue, visits to community stakeholders, and meetings with traditional councils. Political observers note that Usman’s decision to tour all five LGAs within the Plateau Central Senatorial Zone reflects a deliberate strategy aimed at consolidating support across diverse communities while demonstrating consistency in outreach. As the consultations intensify ahead of the APC primaries, Usman’s team insists the engagements are not merely political optics, but part of a broader effort to build a people-driven mandate anchored on accountability, accessibility, and practical solutions to the challenges facing Plateau Central.

Ephraim Usman Begins Mangu Consultation with Visit to Miskaham Mwaghavul Palace

APC Plateau Central Senatorial aspirant, Chief Ephraim Usman, has commenced his political consultation in Mangu Local Government Area with a visit to the palace of the Miskaham Mwaghavul, where he met with traditional rulers from across the districts that make up the local government area.

Addressing the royal fathers, Chief Usman emphasized the need to strengthen and empower traditional institutions, noting that traditional rulers remain critical stakeholders in peacebuilding, community development, and grassroots governance. He stated that his experience as former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, coupled with his background from a royal family, has given him firsthand understanding of the challenges confronting traditional institutions.

The APC aspirant assured the royal fathers of his commitment to policies and initiatives that would enhance the welfare, dignity, and effectiveness of traditional rulers if elected.

Responding on behalf of the Miskaham Mwaghavul, the royal representative offered prayers and blessings for Chief Ephraim Usman, stressing that power belongs to God and is given to whoever He chooses at the appointed time. The representative also acknowledged Chief Usman’s philanthropic disposition and good character, expressing confidence in his leadership qualities and wishing him success in his political aspiration.

Chief Ephraim Usman was accompanied on the visit by members of Government College Pankshin Set ’95, under the umbrella of the Pankshin Old Boys Association (POBA), alongside members of his campaign team and supporters.

DIRECT PRIMARIES: “THE PEOPLE WILL DECIDE” — YILCHINI JAN BIDA CAMPAIGN

(BY WALBE OGAK)

As the political season unfolds, supporters and stakeholders have been urged to remain focused and avoid distractions arising from speculation and political noise making the rounds within the polity.

The campaign team of Chief Yilchini Jan Bida emphasized that the strength of democracy lies in the freedom of party members to make their choices peacefully, fairly, and transparently, stressing that the voice of the people will always prevail.

According to the statement, direct primaries remain a reality within the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that there is no automatic ticket for any aspirant irrespective of ongoing political speculations.

The campaign further stated that Chief Yilchini Jan Bida remains fully committed to the race and is highly encouraged by the growing support and confidence being expressed by card-carrying APC members across Plateau State.

It added that the aspiration continues to gain momentum with renewed confidence, unity, and clarity of purpose ahead of the 2027 political process.

“The light has come to stay,” the statement concluded.