OBI UNDETERRED IN JOS: SABOTEURS EXPOSED, SUPPORTERS RISE FOR 2027

(By Walbe Ogak)

Jos, Plateau State, The visit of Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Jos on Tuesday, 10th November 2026, was meant to be a town hall meeting. It became something greater. It became proof that the Obi movement in Plateau State cannot be stopped by sabotage, embarrassment, or deliberate financial misconduct.

Despite the political significance of the visit and the growing expectations surrounding the 2027 presidential ambition, a few disloyal elements inside the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Plateau State attempted to frustrate the programme. They failed.

Grassroots findings revealed that the visit was not adequately publicised to members of the general public. Many residents who were eager to welcome Obi and Kwankwaso were denied information about their arrival. That was not an accident. That was sabotage.

The most shameful attempt unfolded at Crispan Hotel along Rayfield Road, Jos, the venue of the town hall meeting. Party members and supporters who arrived ahead of the programme were denied access to the hall by the hotel management over outstanding rental charges.

Only the tentage component had reportedly been paid for, leaving the charges for the hall unsettled. Heated arguments followed, attracting onlookers and threatening to turn a major political engagement into an embarrassing spectacle.

But the people of Plateau refused to be embarrassed.

In a moving display of loyalty and sacrifice, one supporter stepped forward and offered to personally offset the outstanding payment to enable party members to gain access to the hall while preparations continued. That single act captured the spirit of the Obi movement: a movement powered not by stolen funds, but by ordinary Nigerians who believe in a new Nigeria.

A party source, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment and alleged that substantial funds had been made available for the successful organisation of the visit, covering mobilisation and other logistical arrangements, but were not properly deployed for the intended purpose.

The source alleged that the individual entrusted with the funds withheld the money instead of making it available for the necessary preparations. More disturbing, the source alleged that some party leaders in Plateau State were working against the interest of the NDC, in a deliberate attempt to undermine the party and frustrate Obi's presidential ambition.

Plateau supporters of Obi are now demanding action. They have called on the national leadership of the NDC to urgently institute a comprehensive investigation into the alleged financial irregularities, establish how the funds were managed, and identify anyone found culpable of deliberately undermining the party.

That demand is right, and it strengthens Obi, it does not weaken him.

Obi has always stood for transparency, discipline, accountability and internal cohesion. A political organisation aspiring to take over national leadership in 2027 must demonstrate those values, and Obi's supporters in Plateau are insisting on them. They will not allow saboteurs hiding inside the party to destroy the hope that millions of Nigerians have placed in Obi and Kwankwaso.

The unfolding controversy has placed the Plateau State chapter of the NDC under scrutiny, but it has also clarified the battle ahead. The battle is not only against rival parties. It is also against internal betrayal, against those who collect money meant for mobilisation and pocket it, against those who refuse to publicise Obi's visit because they fear the crowd he will draw.

They feared the crowd in Jos, and they were right to fear it. Even with poor publicity, even with a locked hall, supporters still came. They still argued, they still paid, they still stayed. That is the power of Obi's message.

Obi represents prudence over waste, service over stealing, and competence over sabotage. Kwankwaso represents grassroots mobilisation and mass appeal. Together, they represent the coalition that Plateau, and Nigeria, have been waiting for.

The saboteurs wanted Jos to be a scandal. Jos instead became a lesson. The lesson is that no withheld fund, no unpaid hall, and no internal conspiracy can stop a movement whose supporters are willing to pay from their own pockets to hear their candidate speak.

The national leadership must now act, investigate, and clean the Plateau chapter. The supporters have done their part. They showed up. They rescued the programme. They defended Obi when the organisers failed him.

In 2027, Plateau will remember who stood with Obi in Jos, and who tried to lock the door against him.

PLATEAU 2027: KEFIANO FIRES BACK AT JMDB OVER DEMOLISHED BILLBOARDS, DEMANDS APOLOGY AND RESTORATION

(By WALBE OGAK)

PDP Gubernatorial Candidate Accuses Plateau Government of Political Intimidation, Says Removal Was Linked to Tinubu’s November 14 Visit

The political contest ahead of the 2027 Plateau State governorship election appears to be gathering momentum, with the controversy surrounding the demolition of campaign billboards belonging to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Chief Kefas Ropshik Wungak, popularly known as Kefiano, adding a fresh dimension to the unfolding political drama.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, November 4, 2026, Kefiano’s Media Team accused the Plateau State Government of using the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) to intimidate political opponents, describing the demolition of the candidate’s billboards across Jos as an act of political persecution disguised as enforcement of regulatory procedures.

The statement specifically challenged JMDB General Manager, Hart Bankat, over his demand for evidence of payment and a deed of agreement, following the board’s explanation that the affected billboards were removed because due process had allegedly not been followed.

However, Kefiano’s camp maintained that the candidate had complied with the necessary procedures, insisting that payments were made to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the agency it identified as responsible for issuing advertising permits, as well as TWWIN MULTI-MEDIA, the company engaged to mount the billboards.

According to the Media Team, JMDB ought to have directed any concerns regarding the installations to TWWIN MULTI-MEDIA, whose contact details were reportedly displayed on the affected billboards, rather than resorting to their immediate demolition.

The campaign team further argued that even where regulatory infractions existed, the appropriate procedure was to issue the responsible multimedia company a two-week notice before taking enforcement action. It alleged that no such notice was served before the billboards were pulled down.

More significantly, Kefiano’s camp questioned the timing of the demolition, alleging that it was connected to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Plateau State on November 14, 2026, rather than any genuine regulatory concerns.

The statement claimed that an emissary had approached the candidate, appealing to him not to take further action or reinstall the billboards until November 15, after the President’s visit.

For the PDP candidate’s camp, this alleged intervention raises fundamental questions about the real motive behind the exercise, particularly its insistence that if the removal was genuinely based on regulatory violations, there would have been no reason to link the matter to the President’s visit.

The development has consequently opened another political front in Plateau State, where the struggle for the 2027 governorship seat is already generating intense political calculations, alignments and exchanges among competing interests.

Kefiano’s Media Team has therefore demanded an unreserved apology from the JMDB General Manager over what it described as an attempt to tarnish the candidate’s reputation through allegations of non-compliance. It also called for the immediate restoration of the demolished billboards and strict adherence to Section 99(2) of the 2026 Electoral Act, which it cited in support of its position against arbitrary interference with candidates' political activities.

Describing the incident as political intimidation and an oppressive attempt to silence opposition voices, the team maintained that the candidate would not be deterred from exercising his political rights or pursuing his ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although JMDB had yet to respond to the latest allegations and demands as of the time of filing this report, the controversy has raised broader questions about the balance between urban development regulations, political advertising and the need to guarantee a level playing field for all political actors.

Ultimately, the unfolding billboard controversy presents an early test of political tolerance and institutional neutrality as Plateau State gradually moves towards the 2027 electoral contest. For Kefiano, the demand is straightforward: an apology, restoration of the billboards and respect for the rules governing political participation.

ROCHAS OKOROCHA APPOINTED CAMPAIGN DG OF RAINBOW COALITION

(By Walbe OGAK)

Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has been appointed as the Campaign Director-General of the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The appointment was announced as part of the coalition's renewed strategy to reposition itself and challenge incumbent governors and other political heavyweights in the build-up to 2027.

Okorocha, a former governor and one-time presidential aspirant, is expected to lead the coalition's campaign structure, coordinate its activities across the states, and mobilise support for its candidates.

Sources within the coalition said his appointment followed wide consultations among stakeholders, who described him as a grassroots mobiliser with national appeal and experience in party organisation and electioneering.

The development comes amid the ongoing political tension between Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the formation and control of the Rainbow Coalition.

It also follows reports that the court dropped Governor Uzodinma and picked Okorocha, a development political observers say has further strengthened the coalition and boosted its confidence ahead of 2027.

With Okorocha now at the helm of its campaign council, the Rainbow Coalition is expected to intensify its activities in the coming weeks, as the race to the 2027 general elections gathers momentum.

The next one hundred days are expected to be very interesting, as political alignments, defections and rivalries continue to shape the contest.

2027 : RAINBOW COALITION AND THE GROWING POWER OF WIKE

(By Walbe OGAK)

Every general election comes with its own unique political dynamics, intrigues, alliances, opportunities and challenges. However, the emerging political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections appear to be introducing a new dimension to Nigeria's political landscape, with defections, shifting loyalties and the emergence of the much-talked-about Rainbow Coalition taking centre stage.

The defection of opposition governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has significantly altered the country's political equation. Beyond the gale of defections, the Rainbow Coalition has added another layer of political intrigue, raising questions about the balance of power and the capacity of opposition forces to challenge the ruling party in 2027.

The political confrontation between Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the alleged formation and influence of the Rainbow Coalition has further exposed the deepening struggle for political influence. When Uzodimma reportedly challenged Wike over the coalition, the FCT Minister fired back immediately, alleging that he will work against the governors ambition of becoming Senate President.

But beyond the exchange of words, the unfolding political developments have raised a more fundamental question: How powerful is Nyesom Wike within Nigeria's current political equation?

The reported replacement of Hope Uzodimma, a two-term sitting governor, with former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in the unfolding political calculations speaks volumes about the influence and political strength attributed to Wike. If the development is indeed a reflection of the emerging power dynamics, it suggests that even sitting governors may not be beyond the reach of the political forces shaping the Rainbow Coalition.

For Wike, the confrontation with Uzodimma appears to go beyond a personal disagreement. It reflects a broader contest for political relevance, influence and control as different power blocs position themselves ahead of 2027.

The development could also strengthen the confidence of the Rainbow Coalition in its capacity to challenge some incumbent governors during the forthcoming elections. However, whether the coalition can translate its political influence, alliances and growing visibility into electoral victories remains a major question.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear: the road to 2027 will not be determined by political defections alone. The ability to build strategic alliances, manage internal disagreements and mobilise grassroots support will be critical to the survival of political interests.

The next 100 days promise to be particularly interesting, as political calculations intensify, alliances are tested and the race towards the 2027 general elections gathers momentum. Nigeria may yet witness some of its most dramatic political twists before voters finally make their choices.

2027: Hon Lapchine Hails Tinubu, Mutfwang, Nentawe Over Projects, Appointments

(By Walbe Orgak)

As political alignments gradually take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State is emerging as a focal point in the unfolding political calculations, with its chairman, Hon. Lapching Ezekiel Golime, linking ongoing development interventions and political appointments to growing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

Golime, who spoke shortly after the inauguration of Special Advisers appointed by Governor Mutfwang, described Kanke’s emergence as the local government with the highest number of appointees as an act of divine timing and a demonstration of the state government’s recognition of the people.

For the council chairman, the appointments represent more than political representation. They signal an opportunity for Kanke indigenes to participate in governance and contribute to decisions affecting the development of their communities.

“It is not a magic per se, but at God’s given time, there is a time that God planned for everybody to have his own time and opportunity at the right time,” Lapchine said.

Beyond the appointments, the chairman pointed to infrastructure and human development initiatives as evidence of the benefits accruing to Kanke from the current administrations at the state and federal levels.

According to him, state government projects worth above ₦40 billion have been attracted to the area within a relatively short period, while federal interventions have also contributed to the growing presence of government projects in the local government.

Lapchine expressed appreciation to Tinubu, Mutfwang and Yilwatda, maintaining that the people of Kanke had reasons to acknowledge the interventions and support efforts aimed at bringing more development to the area.

“In terms of human development, sincerely we are grateful to this particular government,” he stated.

With the 2027 elections approaching, Lapchine’s remarks underscore the growing importance of development records, political inclusion and grassroots engagement in shaping electoral narratives across Plateau State.

For political stakeholders in Kanke, the argument is straightforward: visible projects, appointments and programmes that directly affect the people could become important considerations when voters make their choices at the polls.

Golime made it clear that the people would be encouraged to reciprocate what he described as the goodwill extended to them by the three leaders.

“What do we have to say? Just to say thank you, we will give them the vote in 2027 to replicate the gesture that they have given to us. It is not about pretence, but it is about what we can bring to our people,” he said.

He added that the coming campaign period would provide an opportunity to present the benefits recorded under the federal, state and local governments, insisting that political mobilisation should be anchored on what leaders have delivered to their constituents.

“The campaign time is coming. We will tell people, yes, this is the benefit we have gotten from the federal government, from the state level and from the local government,” Lapchine declared.

The inauguration of the Special Advisers has added another dimension to the political conversation in Kanke, where representation in government is being viewed as an opportunity to advance local interests.

Hon. Lapchine described the development as a privilege for the people, arguing that appointments, when combined with tangible development programmes, can strengthen the relationship between government and communities.

His position also places emphasis on the political value of inclusion, particularly in a state where questions of representation, equitable distribution of opportunities and development remain central to political debates.

By highlighting Kanke’s share of appointments under Mutfwang, the chairman presented the development as evidence that the state administration has given the area a place in its governance structure.

Hon Lapchine also acknowledged the federal government's interventions in Kanke, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, for what he described as increased attention to the area.

He cited several project figures during the interview, including references to ₦94 billion, ₦8 billion and ₦19 billion in ongoing interventions. 

The Council chairman maintained that the presence of federal and state interventions had strengthened his conviction that Kanke was benefiting from the current political and administrative arrangements.

He described the developments as a combination of infrastructure, human development and programmes with direct impact on ordinary residents.

Lapchine's declaration of support for Tinubu, Mutfwang and Yilwatda offers a glimpse into how local government leaders may seek to translate claims of development and political inclusion into electoral mobilisation ahead of 2027.

His position is that residents should assess the different levels of government based on their contributions to the area and use the forthcoming elections to express their appreciation or otherwise.

Whether the chairman’s pledge will translate into widespread voter support remains a matter for the electorate to determine. Nevertheless, his comments demonstrate how projects, appointments and government presence are increasingly being deployed as political arguments in the emerging contest for public confidence.

For Kanke, the challenge will be to ensure that the interventions highlighted by its chairman translate into sustainable development, improved living conditions and opportunities for the people beyond the electoral season.

As the political atmosphere gradually builds towards 2027, Golime is making his case clear: the development recorded in Kanke should form part of the conversation about leadership, performance and the choices before voters.

2027: NGAS COMMUNITY RALLIES BEHIND NENTAWE YILWATDA AS APC KICKS OFF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN KADUNA

Over 2,000 Ngas indigenes showcase cultural heritage, celebrate APC National Chairman’s leadership, commend Kaduna’s hospitality

The successful flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign in Kaduna has become a defining moment of political mobilisation, cultural pride and solidarity for the Ngas people, who turned out in impressive numbers to celebrate their illustrious son and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

With more than 2,000 members of the Ngas community participating in a colourful cultural procession ahead of the campaign rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the community demonstrated its growing visibility in Nigeria’s political landscape while reaffirming its pride in Professor Yilwatda’s leadership position within the ruling party.

The Ngas Development Association (NDA), Kaduna Branch, described the successful flag-off as evidence of effective political organisation, mass mobilisation and collective commitment. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Nentawe Gomiyar, the association congratulated the APC leadership and expressed pride in Professor Yilwatda, whose emergence as National Chairman has continued to inspire members of the Ngas community, particularly the younger generation.

For the association, the event represented more than a presidential campaign launch. It provided an opportunity for the Ngas people to demonstrate solidarity with one of their own at the centre of national politics, while projecting their cultural identity before a diverse audience of political leaders, party supporters and residents of Kaduna State.

The highlight of the community’s participation was a spectacular cultural procession that brought the rich traditions of Plateau State’s Ngas people to the streets of Kaduna. Led by the celebrated Ngas Sombi Troupe from Kanke Local Government Area, the procession featured traditional horn performances, the Minawan Ngas Cultural Dancers Kaduna, and vibrant performances by Ngas women’s choral groups.

Moving through major routes in Kaduna before arriving at the Township Stadium, the procession attracted considerable attention from residents, political supporters and other participating groups. The display projected a compelling message of unity, cultural preservation and peaceful coexistence, reinforcing the place of indigenous communities in Nigeria’s national life.

The NDA noted that the cultural exhibition went beyond entertainment, describing it as a demonstration of the Ngas people’s enduring identity, communal solidarity and contribution to the country’s cultural diversity. The association also commended the Kaduna media community for its extensive coverage of the procession, which helped bring the community’s cultural expression to a wider audience.

Beyond the political spectacle, the association praised Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his hospitality and leadership in hosting the national event. It equally commended the Local Organising Committee, led by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, for its coordination, while acknowledging the efforts of the APC Presidential Campaign Council under its Director-General, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari.

The people of Kaduna State also received commendation for their impressive turnout, peaceful conduct and warm reception of visitors from across the country. Particularly noteworthy, according to the association, was the reported decision by some residents to open their homes to accommodate visitors after hotels became fully occupied—a gesture it described as a powerful expression of generosity, hospitality and peaceful coexistence.

The community’s commendation of the campaign flag-off comes with renewed emphasis on national unity, peace and development. The association offered prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressing hope for sustained peace, progress and prosperity across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Ngas Development Association is looking ahead to another major cultural engagement with the forthcoming Pusdung Festival 2026, scheduled for November 14, 2026. The association has invited political leaders, traditional rulers, cultural enthusiasts, media practitioners and members of the public to participate in the annual celebration.

According to the statement issued by the cultural planning committee, the festival will provide a platform to preserve and promote Ngas heritage, encourage cultural tourism, strengthen community bonds and foster peaceful relationships between the Ngas people, their host communities and other ethnic groups.

The twin emphasis on political participation and cultural preservation underscores the association’s commitment to ensuring that the Ngas community remains actively engaged in Nigeria’s democratic process while safeguarding the traditions that define its identity.

As the APC advances its 2027 presidential campaign, the Ngas community’s prominent participation in Kaduna has offered a striking display of cultural pride and political engagement, with Professor Nentawe Yilwatda serving as a focal point of the community’s celebration.

The association concluded by congratulating the APC leadership on the successful flag-off and expressing appreciation to the government and people of Kaduna State for their contributions to the event’s success.

PLATEAU BLEEDS AGAIN: SEVEN DEAD, VIGILANTES SLAUGHTERED, AND THE DISTURBING QUESTIONS OUR LEADERS MUST ANSWER

When the Last Line of Community Defence Is Destroyed, Who Will Protect the People?

(By Dr. Samaila A. A. Rukuba)

The bloodletting on the Plateau continues unabated. The latest attack on Dorowa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where the death toll has reportedly risen to seven following the killing of four vigilantes and the subsequent deaths of three others who sustained serious injuries, represents another devastating indictment of the security situation confronting our people.

These were not merely seven innocent lives lost. They were seven human beings whose deaths have devastated families and communities already exhausted by fear, uncertainty and repeated violence. The vigilantes were volunteers who had assumed the dangerous responsibility of protecting their neighbours when ordinary people could no longer sleep with both eyes closed.

When those who volunteer to defend their communities become the targets of deadly attacks, what hope remains for the defenceless residents they leave behind?

The disturbing reality is that the weekend's violence, including reports of attacks in Dorowa Babuje and Mangu, has reinforced a growing perception among vulnerable communities that they are increasingly being left to fend for themselves.

This is unacceptable.

A PATTERN THAT DEMANDS ANSWERS

The recurring attacks across vulnerable parts of Plateau State raise fundamental questions about intelligence gathering, rapid military response, operational coordination and the effectiveness of existing security arrangements.

At Dorowa Babuje, reports indicate that the attackers overwhelmed local vigilantes, killing four instantly and leaving several others with serious injuries. Three of the injured subsequently died.

The question is unavoidable: Where were the security reinforcements, and what mechanisms were in place to prevent the attackers from operating with such devastating consequences?

These questions are not accusations of established military complicity. They are legitimate demands for accountability from citizens whose lives and property are supposed to be protected by the state.

Similarly, disturbing allegations have emerged concerning events around Dutsenkura, particularly the Rafiki axis of Rukuba, where Major Chukwu, identified as the Sector 6 Commander, was allegedly accused of stopping a police clearance team. This allegation requires urgent, independent verification and a clear explanation from the relevant authorities.

Reports from survivors of attacks in Mangu have also raised concerns about the conduct and responsiveness of security personnel during incidents of violence.

These accounts must not be casually dismissed. They must be investigated objectively, and where misconduct or negligence is established, appropriate disciplinary and legal consequences must follow.

The military and other security agencies cannot afford a credibility deficit in communities where public confidence is already under severe strain.

SECTOR 3 AND OPERATION SAFE HAVEN MUST ANSWER THE CALL

The General Officer Commanding the relevant military formation and the Commander of Operation Safe Haven are hereby urged to conduct an urgent operational review, with particular attention to Sector 3 and other areas experiencing recurring attacks.

The review should establish whether there were intelligence failures, delayed responses, inadequate deployment, operational misunderstandings or breaches of established procedures.

If personnel performed their duties diligently, the findings should establish that fact. If there were failures, the public deserves to know what happened and what corrective measures will follow.

The objective is not to undermine the military. It is to ensure that the military's presence translates into tangible security for the people it is deployed to protect.

A security deployment that cannot reassure vulnerable communities must be reviewed until it delivers measurable results.

The people of Plateau State need protection, not explanations that arrive after the dead have been buried.

THE GOVERNOR CANNOT AFFORD TO LOOK DETACHED FROM THE TRAGEDY

Governor Caleb Mutfwang must recognise that the security of Plateau State cannot be reduced to political messaging, public appearances or campaign calculations.

Leadership is most severely tested when citizens are dying, communities are under threat and families are fleeing their ancestral homes.

The governor may not personally command military operations, but that does not absolve the state government of its responsibility to demand urgent federal intervention, coordinate legitimate community-protection initiatives, support victims and insist on accountability from every relevant authority.

The people deserve to see their governor at the forefront of efforts to secure their lives and restore their confidence.

As political campaigns intensify, the government must not allow the contest for power to overshadow the urgent business of protecting human life.

It would be deeply troubling if political activities received more visible urgency than the security crisis confronting ordinary citizens.

Our people cannot campaign, farm, trade, worship or raise their children in peace when they are perpetually afraid of the next attack.

THREATS MUST BE CONFRONTED BEFORE THEY BECOME TRAGEDIES

There are also concerns about reported threats attributed to individuals described by some commentators as Izala militants. Such allegations must be investigated promptly, and any person or group found to be issuing credible threats or preparing violent attacks must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

However, responsibility must be established through credible evidence. No religious community should be collectively blamed for the alleged conduct of individuals.

The constitutional duty of the authorities is clear: protect every Plateau resident, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, political affiliation or community of origin.

Credible threats should never be ignored until innocent people are killed. Intelligence must lead to preventive action, not merely become part of the official narrative after an attack.

The lives that could have been saved are the most compelling reason for decisive action.

PLATEAU PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF BURYING THEIR LOVED ONES

There is a limit to the grief any community can endure without demanding answers.

From Barkin Ladi to Mangu, and across other vulnerable parts of Plateau State, residents deserve to know that their lives matter and that their security is not negotiable.

The killing of community vigilantes should be a wake-up call to every level of government and every security formation operating in the state.

These volunteers are not substitutes for professional security forces. They are citizens who, often at considerable personal risk, attempt to provide a measure of protection for their neighbours. Their deaths should provoke an immediate reassessment of the security arrangements surrounding vulnerable communities.

The authorities must strengthen early-warning systems, improve intelligence sharing, establish effective rapid-response mechanisms, protect threatened communities and ensure that perpetrators are identified and prosecuted.

Above all, the government must reject the dangerous normalisation of mass killings.

Seven deaths must not become another statistic. Another community must not become another headline. Another grieving family must not be left wondering why help never arrived.

OUR QUESTIONS REQUIRE ANSWERS, NOT POLITICAL DEFENSIVENESS

The people of Plateau State are entitled to ask:

- What intelligence was available before the Dorowa Babuje attack, and how was it acted upon?

- Why were local vigilantes exposed to such a devastating assault, and what protection can be provided to other vulnerable communities?

- What is the truth behind the allegations concerning the police clearance operation around the Rafiki axis of Rukuba?

- Have the reports of delayed or inadequate responses during attacks in Mangu been independently investigated?

- What concrete operational changes will the military leadership and Operation Safe Haven implement to prevent further killings?

- What measures has the Plateau State Government taken to ensure that credible threats are investigated before they result in bloodshed?

These are not partisan questions. They are questions of life, death, constitutional responsibility and public accountability.

The answers must be factual, transparent and followed by measurable action.

 CONCLUSION: SORRY, PLATEAU 

BUT OUR PEOPLE DESERVE MORE THAN SYMPATHY* 

Plateau State cannot continue on a path where citizens are killed, families mourn, communities flee and official statements follow, only for the cycle to begin again.

Sympathy is necessary, but sympathy without prevention is insufficient. Condemnation is welcome, but condemnation without investigation and prosecution is inadequate. Security deployments are important, but their success must be measured by their ability to protect human lives.

The Governor must rise above political distractions. The security leadership must confront uncomfortable operational questions. The relevant authorities must investigate every credible allegation of negligence or misconduct. And the perpetrators of these attacks must face the full consequences of the law.

Our people are tired. They are tired of burying their loved ones. Tired of living in fear. Tired of wondering whether anyone will arrive when their communities come under attack.

Plateau is not asking for a favour. Plateau is demanding its fundamental right to life and security.

To the bereaved families of Dorowa Babuje,  PDP  extends our deepest condolences. To the injured and displaced, we wish healing and protection. To the vigilantes who died attempting to defend their neighbours, their sacrifice must not be forgotten.

And to those entrusted with protecting Plateau State, the message is unmistakable:

 *YOUR EXCELLENCY, SIR,* THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING. THE COMMUNITIES ARE BLEEDING. THE QUESTIONS ARE BECOMING LOUDER. THE TIME FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION IS NOW. *_CAN WE FOR ONE UNDERSTAND THE MINDSET OF MUTFWANG?_* 

Dr. Samaila A. A. Rukuba 

State Publicity Secretary, PDP Plateau State

Director, Media Strategy & Publicity