11 YEARS IN DARKNESS: CONCERNED IRIGWE YOUTHS DEMAND RESTORATION OF ELECTRICITY IN MIANGO

(By WALBE OGAK)

Concerned Irigwe youths in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, have called for urgent intervention to end what they described as an unacceptable 11-year electricity blackout in the community.

The youths made the demand on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during a press conference held at the Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos.

Addressing journalists, spokesman of the group, Bitrus Adamu Izhi, said Miango had remained without electricity since 2015, following the disconnection of the community by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) over outstanding electricity debts.

According to him, the prolonged blackout has severely affected the socio-economic life of the community, with farmers, students, artisans, traders, health workers and families bearing the consequences.

Izhi said that before a meeting with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja in December 2016, Miango had 682 registered electricity customers, while the outstanding post-privatisation debt stood at N51,418,095.27.

He explained that following reconciliation and intervention by NERC, the debt was reduced to N38 million as of June 2017, with the amount directed to be migrated and shared among metered individual customers in the community.

The youths claimed that consumers had subsequently remitted about N28 million, leaving a balance of approximately N10 million.

They, however, expressed concern over the emergence of the Miango Community Energy Project Enterprise, which they alleged was established without the knowledge or consent of electricity consumers in the community.

The group said the initiative emerged after the District Head of Miango, His Highness Daniel Chega, constituted a committee to mobilise residents towards settling the outstanding electricity debt.

According to the youths, the committee allegedly went beyond its mandate by establishing and registering the company, with Mr. Williams Chatalas as chairman.

Other officials named by the group were Mr. John Willy Iche, Secretary; Mr. Haruna Jibo, Financial Secretary; and Pastor Emmanuel Benedict Zamfara, Treasurer.

The group alleged that the company subsequently entered into an arrangement with JEDC to collect electricity-related payments from consumers in Miango.

It further alleged that JEDC unilaterally suspended the individual accounts of consumers and created a single account through which the intermediary company collected payments from residents.

The youths said residents initially believed that the money being collected, including funds raised through donations from concerned indigenes, was being used to offset the community's electricity debt.

They alleged, however, that the arrangement failed to resolve the situation and that the entire community subsequently remained disconnected from the electricity supply.

The group further claimed that as of May 2023, the amount allegedly owed JEDC by the Miango Community Energy Project Enterprise stood at N194,912,366.86.

The concerned youths therefore urged JEDC to explore mechanisms for recovering whatever debt it claims from the intermediary company, while allowing individual Miango consumers to settle the outstanding N10 million balance previously attributed to them once their accounts are restored.

The youths also alleged that efforts by the paramount ruler of Rigwe land, the Braa Nggwe Rigwe, Reverend Ronku Aka (rtd.), to resolve the matter were unsuccessful, accusing the committee of failing to provide an account of funds collected despite several invitations.

According to the group, the paramount ruler eventually exercised his authority to dissolve the committee following growing frustration over the situation.

The youths questioned the legality and propriety of the alleged arrangement between JEDC and the community-based company.

They asked whether JEDC had the legal authority to suspend individual customers' accounts and transfer or subcontract the collection of electricity bills to a third party without the consumers' consent, and whether such an arrangement is consistent with Nigeria's electricity regulatory framework.

FOUR KEY DEMANDS

The concerned Irigwe youths demanded that the Miango Community Energy Project Enterprise provide a comprehensive explanation of its transactions with JEDC on behalf of electricity consumers in Miango.

They also demanded full disclosure of all funds collected by the organisation from its inception as a committee and subsequently as a registered company, including details of money received, expenditures and payments allegedly made towards the electricity debt.

The group further called on the organisation to stop representing or transacting with JEDC on behalf of Miango electricity consumers, citing what it described as a lack of accountability.

The youths also demanded that JEDC immediately restore all suspended consumer accounts and discontinue transactions with the Miango Community Energy Project Enterprise in respect of individual Miango electricity consumers.

CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

The group appealed to Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, to intervene urgently in the matter.

Izhi recalled that the governor had publicly expressed his commitment to restoring electricity to Miango during the previous year's annual Irigwe Cultural Day.

The youths therefore urged the governor to constitute an independent investigative committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the 11-year blackout, scrutinise the financial records of the Miango Community Energy Project Enterprise and determine whether any individual or organisation should be held accountable.

They also called for an investigation into the role allegedly played by JEDC in the establishment of the intermediary arrangement.

The group said that where wrongdoing is established, appropriate anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force, should investigate and prosecute anyone found culpable.

PEACEFUL PROTEST PLANNED

The concerned youths also announced plans to stage a peaceful protest as part of their ongoing advocacy for the restoration of electricity in Miango.

They said the protest would be aimed at drawing public attention to the community's plight and demanding clarity, accountability and the restoration of normal electricity services.

The group expressed appreciation to individuals, organisations and non-Irigwe communities that had supported their campaign, stressing that their advocacy would remain within the bounds of peace and due process.

They also commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Honourable Bernard Doro, and other stakeholders in Rigwe land for their efforts towards finding a solution to the crisis.

The youths, however, warned prominent personalities who had remained silent on the matter that their actions or inactions would be remembered by the people.

The spokesman said the group was relying on the media to amplify the voice of the affected community and help bring an end to what they described as 11 years of darkness and deprivation.

“We invite the press, which has proven over time to be on the side of truth and justice, to lend us a voice in this struggle to liberate our people from darkness,” Izhi said.

IN DEFENCE OF SHABUL MAZADU: WHEN POLITICAL CONVICTION EVOLVES

From Criticism to Support: Understanding the Journey Behind Shabul Mazadu’s Changing Position on Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

By (WALBE OGAK)

In recent days, social media, particularly Facebook, has been awash with posts circulating old comments attributed to Shabul Mazadu, in which he was critical of the political activities and camp surrounding Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

While the posts are being presented by some as evidence of inconsistency, a closer understanding of Shabul Mazadu's personality, political philosophy and convictions suggests a different interpretation.

Those who know Shabul closely describe him as a man who does not pretend, sit on the fence or conceal his opinions for political convenience. He is known to speak his mind, even when doing so is unpopular or politically inconvenient.

For Shabul, political loyalty has never meant abandoning personal conviction. His supporters argue that he has consistently demonstrated the willingness to defend what he believes is right and to challenge what he considers to be wrong.

One of the defining characteristics attributed to Shabul is his unwillingness to compromise his principles, particularly on issues concerning Plateau State.

At the time he expressed reservations about Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and some members of his political camp, his position was shaped by concerns arising from previous political engagements. In particular, there were individuals around the political structure whom he did not trust because of their past actions and relationships.

It is therefore important, in assessing his earlier statements, to understand the political circumstances under which they were made rather than simply reproducing isolated comments from the past.

Political positions are often shaped by prevailing circumstances, relationships, experiences and available information. As circumstances change, individuals are entitled to reassess their positions.

The evolution of Shabul Mazadu's position is also consistent with the broader reality of Nigerian politics, where political alliances and opinions frequently change.

Across the country, individuals and groups who once vehemently opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including those who criticised the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, have subsequently become supporters of his administration and, in some cases, beneficiaries of government programmes.

This does not necessarily mean that their earlier positions were dishonest. It may simply demonstrate that politics is dynamic and that political actors can change their minds when circumstances, policies or perceptions change.

The same principle should therefore apply to Shabul Mazadu.

Shabul's current support for Professor Nentawe Yilwatda should, therefore, not automatically be interpreted as a betrayal of his earlier convictions.

Rather, it can be viewed as a position arising from a reassessment of the Professor's leadership qualities, humanitarian interventions and approach to political relationships.

Supporters of the Professor point particularly to what they describe as his humanitarian disposition, forgiving spirit and willingness to engage across political divides.

For many Plateau people who once criticised Nentawe but now support him, the argument is simple: leadership should ultimately be judged by actions and character rather than by yesterday's political disagreements.

Shabul's position, therefore, may be less about abandoning his principles and more about responding to what he now considers a different political reality.

The political journey of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda itself provides an interesting backdrop to this development.

A figure who once faced significant political opposition and criticism has continued to build a broader political profile, with supporters increasingly portraying him as a leader capable of transcending previous political divisions.

For those who now support him, his journey represents the familiar political metaphor of “the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.”

The lesson from the unfolding political narrative is that political opinions should not necessarily be permanently frozen in time. People can disagree, criticise, reassess and ultimately support the same person they once opposed.

Beyond the controversy surrounding old Facebook posts, the more important question should be whether political actors are willing to put the broader interests of Plateau above personal grievances and historical disagreements.

Shabul Mazadu's current position provides an opportunity to reflect on the changing nature of Plateau politics. If his support for Professor Nentawe Yilwatda is genuinely based on conviction arising from what he now considers positive leadership attributes, then it should be understood within that context.

Political maturity is not necessarily demonstrated by refusing to change one's mind. Sometimes, it is demonstrated by the courage to reassess one's position when circumstances and evidence change.

For Shabul Mazadu, the message appears clear: he is not pretending, he is not sitting on the fence, and he is not selling his conscience. He is making a political choice based on his present conviction.

And in the ever-changing theatre of Nigerian politics, yesterday's critic can become today's supporter—not necessarily because principles have been abandoned, but because perceptions, circumstances and convictions have evolved.

SHALOM

Walbe Ogak 

07036573313

HON. AMOS GOMBI: A GRASSROOTS MOBILISER POISED TO LEAD GAGDI CAMPAIGN TO VICTORY

(BY WALBE OGAK)

Appointment as Director General of Rt. Hon. Gagdi Campaign Team Signals Confidence in Proven Political Capacity

The appointment of Hon. Amos Gombi as the Director General of the Rt. Hon. Gagdi Campaign Team has been widely described as a strategic choice capable of strengthening the campaign structure and driving grassroots mobilisation across Plateau State.

The appointment has also attracted commendation from political stakeholders and supporters, who see it as recognition of Gombi's years of political engagement, commitment to service, and understanding of the dynamics of grassroots politics.

As a former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, coupled with his experience in various party positions and political appointments, Hon. Amos Gombi has built a reputation for political organisation, loyalty, mobilisation, and team building.

His emergence as Director General is therefore being viewed as an opportunity to bring his wealth of experience and political networks to bear on the campaign of Rt. Hon. Gagdi.

For supporters of the campaign, the task ahead goes beyond political structures. It requires effective coordination, strategic communication, grassroots engagement, stakeholder mobilisation, and the ability to unite supporters behind a common political objective.

Hon. Gombi is regarded as a politician who understands these demands. His experience at the legislative and party levels has exposed him to the realities of grassroots politics and the importance of building bridges among party members, leaders, supporters, and critical stakeholders.

His supporters describe him as a grassroots mobiliser, political strategist, loyal party man, and team player, qualities considered essential to the success of any electoral campaign.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, expectations are high that the new Director General will deploy his experience to build an inclusive and effective campaign organisation capable of reaching voters across communities and political constituencies.

The confidence placed in Hon. Gombi is also reflected in the goodwill surrounding his appointment, with supporters expressing optimism that his leadership will provide the campaign with the coordination, discipline, energy, and strategic direction required to pursue victory.

As he assumes the responsibility, prayers and goodwill have been extended to him for wisdom, strength, sound health, and success in the discharge of his duties.

For the supporters of Rt. Hon. Gagdi, the message is clear: the campaign has entrusted a critical responsibility to a man considered capable of mobilising the grassroots and translating political structures into electoral strength.

Hon. Amos Gombi now has the task of leading from the front, uniting the team, strengthening the grassroots, and building the momentum towards victory.

Congratulations to Hon. Amos Gombi on his appointment as Director General of the Rt. Hon. Gagdi Campaign Team.

RUME COLLAPSES POLITICAL STRUCTURE FOR YOKDEN, CALLS FOR APC UNITY IN PANKSHIN NORTH

Former APC Aspirant Urges Supporters to Put Collective Interest Above Personal Ambition

(By Walbe Ogak)

In a significant show of political maturity and party loyalty, former APC aspirant for the Pankshin North State House of Assembly constituency, Hon. Bldr. Raphael Chinkik Rume, has announced the collapse of his entire political structure in support of the party's flag bearer, Hon. Rotshak Gideon Yokden, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Rume, who contested the APC primary election for the Pankshin North constituency seat, said although the outcome did not favour him, he had accepted the result in good faith, attributing the development to God's will.

For Rume, however, the conclusion of the primary election should not mark the end of political engagement within the party, but rather the beginning of a broader effort to consolidate the APC and position it for victory at the polls.

In a message to his supporters, coordinators, party leaders and constituents across the ten wards of Pankshin North, the former aspirant said politics should transcend personal ambition and remain firmly rooted in service, sacrifice, progress and the collective interest of the people.

“Politics is not just about personal ambition. It is about service, progress, and the future of our people,” Rume stated.

The decision to throw his weight behind Yokden, he explained, followed deep reflection and consultations with stakeholders, supporters and members of his political family.

He said the move was motivated by the need to promote unity, progress and sportsmanship within the APC, stressing that the party's strength lies in its ability to accommodate divergent interests while working towards a common objective.

A Message to His Political Structure

Addressing his supporters and coordinators across the ten wards, Rume urged them to redirect the energy and organisational capacity built during his campaign toward ensuring victory for the APC candidate.

He reminded them that they supported his aspiration because of their belief in integrity, capacity, competence and purposeful leadership, urging them to demonstrate those same values by placing the larger interest of Pankshin North above individual political ambitions.

“Let history record that we were not selfish, but patriotic,” he declared.

The statement is particularly significant coming from a politician who had built a considerable grassroots structure during the contest for the APC ticket.

Rather than allow the outcome of the primary to become a source of division, Rume has chosen to consolidate his supporters behind the party's candidate, presenting his decision as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to the larger APC family.

Beyond Personal Ambition

The development also highlights the growing importance of post-primary reconciliation as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.

For the APC in Pankshin North, bringing together different aspirants, supporters and grassroots structures could prove crucial to its electoral prospects.

Rume's appeal therefore goes beyond his personal supporters. It is a call for members of the party to close ranks, reconcile differences and work collectively toward a common political objective.

He urged his supporters to remain committed to the party and work for a convincing APC victory in Pankshin North.

“Let us do this together. Let us deliver Pankshin North for APC,” he said.

The former aspirant concluded by calling for continued unity and dedication among party members, while expressing confidence that a united APC would be better positioned to achieve victory.

For Rume, the message is clear: political ambition may produce contestants, but only unity, discipline and collective purpose can produce victory.

And in Pankshin North, he is asking his political family to make that transition—from campaign structures built around an individual aspiration to a collective movement for the APC.

Hon. Bldr. Raphael Chinkik Rume, MNIOB, FNIOBMFM, F-IMCN, CPM, CFM, CIPSMN, is a former APC aspirant for the Pankshin North State House of Assembly Constituency.

WOMEN, GRASSROOTS AND THE 2027 POLITICAL BATTLE: PWASG PANKSHIN BUILDS ITS STRUCTURE FOR APC

(By Walbe Ogak)

As Nigeria gradually moves towards the 2027 General Elections, political mobilisation is shifting from the big rallies and high-profile endorsements to the grassroots, where voters, particularly women, remain a decisive force in determining electoral outcomes.

In Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, the Plateau Women Alliance Support Group, PWASG, appears determined to position itself at the centre of that grassroots mobilisation.

On August 29, 2026, the Pankshin Chapter of the group inaugurated its Ward and Unit Coordinators in a ceremony that brought together APC leaders, political stakeholders, women, traditional and religious leaders and party supporters from across the local government.

The event was not merely a formal inauguration. It represented an attempt to build a political structure capable of taking the APC campaign message beyond political gatherings and into wards, communities, polling units and households.

At the heart of the mobilisation is a three-level political agenda: support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang at the state level, and all APC candidates contesting the 2027 elections.

For PWASG, the importance of grassroots structures cannot be overstated.

Campaigns may be launched in city centres, but elections are ultimately decided at polling units. It is therefore the strength of ward and unit structures that often determines whether political promises are translated into actual votes.

It was against this background that the newly inaugurated PWASG coordinators were charged to take ownership of the mobilisation process in their respective areas.

Their mandate is to engage women, encourage political participation, promote PVC collection and build support for APC candidates from the presidential election down to the State House of Assembly.

The message from the leadership was clear: the 2027 political contest must not be left to chance.

Women constitute one of the most important voting blocs in Nigerian politics, and political parties increasingly recognise that effective engagement with women can significantly influence electoral outcomes.

PWASG's Pankshin mobilisation is therefore built around the belief that women should not merely attend political rallies or serve as spectators during campaigns, but should become active participants in political organisation and decision-making.

The group's Convener, Chief Agnes Rahila Fwangchi Jakadiyan Bungha, used the occasion to emphasise unity, political consciousness, empowerment and participation.

Her message to the coordinators was equally direct: remain committed to the cause, defend their rights and avoid allowing political opponents to mislead them with what she described as false promises.

The unveiling of the PWASG T-shirt and wrapper added another dimension to the event.

Beyond their symbolic value, political colours, clothing and group identity often serve as tools for building solidarity and creating visibility at the grassroots.

For PWASG, the unveiling signals an organisation seeking to move from an informal support network into a more identifiable and structured political mobilisation platform.

The presence of APC leaders and candidates at the event further reinforced the political significance of the gathering.

Among those present were Hon. Charity Dimlong, APC Chairperson of the Central Zone, who served as Mother of the Day; Hon. Dr. Cletus, Commissioner for Works; Hon. David Barji, APC Senatorial Candidate for Plateau Central; Hon. Gambo Dimlong, representing Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, APC candidate for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency; Hon. Rokshak Gideon, APC candidate for Pankshin North; and Hon. Nanpan Dafur, APC candidate for Pankshin South.

Also present were Mrs. Margret Felix Amos Gonung, who represented the Executive Chairman of Pankshin LGA; Mrs. Laraba Emmanuel Mangni, Adviser to PWASG Pankshin Chapter; the APC Women Leader in Pankshin, party executives, ward chairmen, traditional and religious leaders and a large number of women.

Beyond speeches and political mobilisation, the organisers introduced an element of social support.

Ten elderly women, aged between 65 and 80, received ₦5,000 each from the Convener as a gesture of appreciation and support.

Although modest, the intervention reflects a familiar dimension of grassroots politics in Nigeria, where political engagement often intersects with social welfare, community relationships and personal networks.

The beneficiaries were also asked to offer their motherly blessings and prayers for the growth of the organisation.

One of the strongest messages from the PWASG leadership was its insistence that the organisation is not merely a political group existing on paper.

Chief Agnes Rahila Fwangchi Jakadiyan Bungha described PWASG as a genuine and active organisation with members drawn from different professional and social backgrounds.

She listed civil servants, businesswomen, bankers, retired Permanent Secretaries, former Deputy Chairmen, former Heads of Service, lawyers, retirees and women from other walks of life among its membership.

The Convener also made it clear that the organisation is currently sustained through contributions from its founder and members and is yet to receive government sponsorship.

That declaration appears intended to underline the group's independence and its claim that its activities are being driven by members' commitment rather than government funding.

The real test for PWASG, however, will not be the size of its inauguration ceremony.

It will be its ability to translate the enthusiasm displayed at Pankshin into a functioning political machine capable of reaching voters at the polling-unit level.

The newly inaugurated coordinators now have the responsibility of transforming organisational structures into political engagement: identifying voters, encouraging PVC collection, communicating the party's message and sustaining contact with communities long after political rallies have ended.

For the APC, the significance is equally clear.

With the 2027 elections approaching, every ward, unit and voting bloc matters.

And in Pankshin, PWASG is positioning its women network as one of the vehicles through which the party hopes to consolidate support for Tinubu, Mutfwang and its candidates.

The group's declaration — “Women United for APC Victory 2027: From Top to Bottom” — therefore goes beyond a slogan.

It is a political mobilisation strategy whose success will ultimately be measured at the ballot box.

For now, the groundwork has begun.

The coordinators have been inaugurated. The political identity has been unveiled. The women have been mobilised.

The next phase is taking the campaign to the grassroots — one ward, one unit and one voter at a time.

NGOLONG NGAS CALLS FOR UNFLINCHING SUPPORT FOR GOV. MUTFWANG AND PROF. NENTAWE YILWADA

(BY WALBE OGAK)

His Majesty, Nde Jika Golit, the Ngolong Ngas, has called on the people of Ngas land and Plateau State to give unwavering and united support to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

The Ngolong Ngas made the call on Monday, August 25, 2026, when he received members of the Ngas APC Progressive Stakeholders Forum in audience at his Palace.

His Majesty emphasized that peace, unity and sustainable development can only thrive when political leadership, government and other institutions work together in harmony.

He described the visit by the forum as timely, particularly at a period when the country is confronting security and socio-economic challenges that require collective responsibility and concerted action.

The traditional ruler commended the forum for prioritising unity among the Ngas people and promoting peaceful coexistence across the various ethnic groups in Plateau State.

He urged the group to support the Mutfwang-led administration, stressing that a stable government is critical to sustaining peace and delivering the dividends of democracy to citizens irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

On the emergence of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman of the APC, the Ngolong Ngas described it as a historic honour for Ngas land and Plateau State.

He therefore urged APC members and other stakeholders to rally firmly behind the national chairman, noting that his position at the centre presents an opportunity for Plateau State and Ngas people to attract greater federal presence through appointments, projects and other development opportunities.

Earlier, the Team Leader of the forum, Hon. Emmanuel Lokji Goar, a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and former member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, explained that the visit was to formally introduce the newly established Ngas APC Progressive Stakeholders Forum and seek the royal father's prayers and blessings.

Hon. Goar explained that the forum was established to provide a distinct platform for partisan political activities, separate from existing Ngas structures such as the Ngas Elders Forum and the Ngas Development Association, which operate directly under the leadership of the Ngolong Ngas.

He said the forum is committed to defending and supporting government at all levels while promoting peaceful engagement between the people and government.

Hon. Goar also commended the Ngolong Ngas for his consistent efforts toward finding lasting solutions to issues capable of creating misunderstanding between the people and government.

He said the forum's objective is to project the image of the Ngas people positively in future political engagements by discouraging self-centred politics and promoting cooperation and synergy with other ethnic groups.

He specifically called for support for Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who shares the same ethnic background with the Ngas, to enable him complete his eight-year tenure.

The Team Leader further urged Ngas sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to shun politics of bitterness and factionalism and embrace reconciliation, inclusion and collective progress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also speaking, the Plateau State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Cletus Bako Shikur, called on the Ngas people to embrace unity and speak with one voice in order to strengthen their relevance, development prospects and political influence.

Dr. Shikur observed that history has shown that communities that remain divided are often pushed to the background in the political affairs of Plateau State.

He described the emergence of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman as a rare political opportunity that must be protected and maximised for the benefit of Ngas land and Plateau State.

The Commissioner warned that failure to support the APC national chairman could send the wrong signal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the party.

He therefore urged Ngas stakeholders to rally behind Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang in the interest of peace and good governance in Plateau State, while also giving Professor Nentawe Yilwatda their full support to enable Ngas land and the state benefit maximally from federal appointments, projects and other opportunities.

The meeting ended with renewed calls for unity, political maturity, peaceful coexistence and collective action among the Ngas people ahead of the 2027 political season.

TONGZUM BARDE: THE MEN BEHIND THE SCENE, SILENCE ARCHIEVERS

(By WALBE OGAK)

In Nigeria’s political and public service environment, it is common for top government officials and political leaders to appoint aides to assist them in carrying out specific assignments, managing engagements, coordinating activities, and representing their principals when necessary.

However, the role of a political aide comes with enormous responsibility. While some aides may become power-drunk, act as gatekeepers, or create unnecessary barriers between their principals and members of the public, there are others who understand that their responsibility is fundamentally about service.

Tongzum Barde, an aide to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, belongs to the latter category.

Those who have interacted with Barde describe him as a man of humility, transparency, discipline and uncommon accessibility. Rather than seeing his position as an opportunity to wield influence, he appears to understand it as a platform to serve both his principal and the people who interact with the office.

In politics, the spotlight often shines on those standing at the podium. They deliver speeches, make policy pronouncements and take the political decisions that attract public attention. But behind every successful political leader is usually a team of people working quietly in the background—organising meetings, coordinating engagements, managing communications and ensuring that the machinery of leadership functions effectively.

This is where the importance of aides such as Tongzum Barde becomes evident.

While the principal handles major political responsibilities, aides are often responsible for the details that make those responsibilities easier to execute. From arranging schedules and facilitating contacts to attending to requests and ensuring that important matters receive attention, their work may rarely make the headlines, but it remains indispensable.

Sources familiar with Barde’s activities describe him as possessing an uncommon combination of leadership and followership skills—the ability to take responsibility when circumstances demand leadership, while also understanding when humility and service are required.

That balance is particularly important in political administration, where access, information and proximity to influential figures can easily be mistaken for personal power.

Despite the demands of his schedule, Barde is said to approach his responsibilities with considerable patience and attention to detail. He reportedly listens carefully to issues brought before him, including complaints and criticisms that others might be tempted to dismiss.

“He does not just respond to calls,” a colleague observed. “He listens with keen interest, even to complaints or criticism that others might want to rubbish. And when he replies to text messages, it is always with kind formalities.”

Such conduct may appear ordinary, but in the high-pressure environment of contemporary politics, it is increasingly becoming uncommon.

For many members of the public, the aide is often the first point of contact with a political office. How that individual treats people can therefore shape their perception of the principal and, by extension, the institution the principal represents.

Beyond administrative responsibilities, those who have worked closely with Barde describe him as compassionate and considerate. His approach, they say, reflects an understanding that behind every phone call, message or request is a person with a concern, an expectation or sometimes a difficult personal story.

This quality of quiet service is particularly significant in a political environment where visibility and influence can sometimes overshadow humility.

Barde’s example reinforces an important principle: public service is not measured only by how loudly one speaks, but also by how effectively one serves.

Political aides may not always receive public recognition for their contributions. They work behind the scenes, often under pressure and without the visibility enjoyed by their principals. Yet their professionalism, discretion, accessibility and commitment can significantly influence the effectiveness of the office they serve.

In a political space often characterised by noise, competition and the pursuit of personal influence, men like Tongzum Barde represent the quieter side of leadership—the engine room where much of the real organisational work takes place.

They may not always stand on the podium, appear in headlines or receive applause. But they help make the podium possible.

They are, indeed, the men behind the scene.