PLATEAU 2027: THE RAINBOW COALITION AND THE POLITICS OF FEAR — WHY KEFFIANO’S NAME IS CAUSING POLITICAL UNEASE

(By Dr. Samaila Achigak A. Rukuba)

State Publicity Secretary, PDP Plateau State

The emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Plateau State appear to have unsettled some political interests, judging by the growing speculation surrounding the purported appointment of Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik, popularly known as Keffiano, as Deputy Campaign Director-General of the Mutfwang/Piyo 2027 Campaign Council.

In response to Comrade Thomas Aboki’s publication on the alleged appointment, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State considers it necessary to separate political facts from speculation and expose the deeper questions surrounding the state’s evolving political landscape.

The fundamental issue is not whether political actors can realign ahead of an election. In a democracy, alliances are neither permanent nor forbidden. The real question is whether such alliances are built on principles, public interest and a credible vision for Plateau State, or merely on the calculations of political survival.

For the PDP, the Rainbow Coalition represents a broader conversation about reconciliation, political inclusion, equity and the restoration of democratic values. It speaks to citizens who believe that no individual or group should be permanently excluded from leadership opportunities because of religion, identity, political affiliation or the calculations of entrenched interests.

But let nobody mistake the Rainbow Coalition for a political shelter for opportunists. Its relevance must be measured by the principles it upholds, the quality of leadership it produces and its capacity to address the urgent challenges confronting Plateau State.

THE KEFFIANO QUESTION: WHY THE SPECULATION?

The reported appointment of Keffiano to the Mutfwang/Piyo campaign structure raises a legitimate question: what is the factual basis for the claim, and who benefits from circulating it?

Until the purported appointment is substantiated by the relevant parties, it remains a political claim, not an established fact. Responsible political discourse demands evidence, not manufactured certainty.

Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik is the PDP's governorship candidate for the 2027 election. His political relevance should therefore be assessed through his convictions, public engagements, policy direction and capacity to offer Plateau an alternative, not through speculative appointments or personal attacks.

It is particularly troubling when political commentary substitutes innuendo for evidence and ridicule for reasoned argument. Disagreement is a legitimate feature of democracy; attempts to diminish political opponents through personal attacks are not a substitute for credible political engagement.

Plateau deserves a higher standard of political conversation.

THE RAINBOW COALITION: A THREAT TO OLD POLITICAL CALCULATIONS?

The Rainbow Coalition may yet emerge as a defining feature of Plateau's 2027 political contest. Its eventual direction, however, will depend on the convictions of its participants, the interests it represents and the leadership choices it makes.

Political history offers sufficient evidence that alliances can reshape electoral outcomes. The political relationships surrounding the 2023 governorship election, including the wider political dynamics associated with Nyesom Wike's camp and Governor Caleb Mutfwang's emergence, remain part of Plateau's recent political history.

Those developments demonstrate that political alignments can evolve in unexpected ways. The possibility of new arrangements ahead of 2027 should therefore not be dismissed merely because they challenge existing expectations.

Yet the Rainbow Coalition must not become an exercise in recycling political power under a different name. Its promise lies in its ability to build a credible alternative grounded in fairness, competence, accountability and measurable public benefit.

The coalition's ultimate test will not be the number of political figures it attracts, the volume of its declarations or the anxiety it generates among rival camps. It will be whether it can inspire public confidence and offer a practical response to the challenges confronting Plateau.

PLATEAU'S REAL CRISIS IS NOT CAMPAIGN APPOINTMENTS — IT IS INSECURITY

While political commentators trade allegations over campaign positions, families across Plateau continue to demand answers to questions far more consequential than who occupies which position in a campaign council.

Citizens want to know when communities threatened by violence will enjoy lasting security. They want to know how displaced families will rebuild their lives, how farmers will return safely to their fields, how destroyed livelihoods will be restored and how confidence in public institutions will be rebuilt.

These are not abstract political talking points. They are fundamental questions of governance, public safety and human dignity.

Any administration seeking another mandate must be prepared to defend its record against these realities. Political communication cannot permanently substitute for tangible results, just as slogans cannot erase the experiences of citizens whose lives have been disrupted by insecurity and economic hardship.

The PDP maintains that Plateau needs leadership capable of protecting lives, restoring peace, promoting justice, rebuilding affected communities and revitalising the economy.

That is the standard against which every contender and every political platform must be judged.

KEFFIANO AND THE CASE FOR A DIFFERENT DIRECTION

As the PDP's governorship candidate for 2027, Chief Keffas Wungak Ropshik has an obligation to present a clear and credible alternative to the people of Plateau State.

That alternative must go beyond criticism of the incumbent administration. It must articulate practical measures for improving security, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening public institutions, promoting inclusion and restoring confidence in governance.

Keffiano's candidacy should therefore be debated on the strength of his programme, his understanding of Plateau's challenges, his proposed solutions and his capacity to translate promises into results.

The PDP believes that the people deserve a genuine choice in 2027. But that choice must be informed by evidence, public debate and a careful assessment of competing visions for the state's future.

No candidate should be declared credible merely because his opponents are unpopular. Equally, no candidate should be dismissed through political propaganda without a fair examination of his proposals and convictions.

Democracy is strengthened when arguments confront arguments and policies are tested against facts.

FROM THE POLITICS OF INSULTS TO THE POLITICS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

The tendency to turn political disagreement into personal warfare is dangerous to democratic culture. It discourages meaningful debate, deepens divisions and shifts public attention away from the issues that matter most.

Comrade Thomas Aboki and other political commentators are entitled to their opinions. However, public commentary carries a responsibility to distinguish verifiable information from conjecture and legitimate criticism from personal denigration.

The same principle applies to every political camp. Nobody should be silenced for expressing a contrary opinion, and nobody should be insulated from scrutiny merely because of political affiliation.

The lessons of the 2023 election should encourage political actors to examine the consequences of their strategies, not simply repeat them against new opponents. Plateau requires political maturity, not an endless cycle of accusations, counter-accusations and attempts to discredit competing voices.

The question is not who can produce the loudest propaganda. It is who can make the strongest case for the future of Plateau State.

2027: PLATEAU MUST COME BEFORE PERSONAL AMBITION

The 2027 governorship election must be about the future of Plateau, not the private ambitions of political personalities.

The Rainbow Coalition, if it is to command public confidence, must demonstrate that it represents more than a temporary convergence of interests. It must show that its participants can agree on a credible development agenda, respect democratic principles and put the welfare of citizens above individual calculations.

The people of Plateau deserve a leadership that understands the urgency of security, the importance of economic recovery, the necessity of justice and the value of inclusive governance.

They also deserve a political process in which candidates are judged by their competence, integrity, performance and vision, rather than by the volume of attacks directed at them.

For the PDP and its candidate, the task ahead is clear: present a compelling programme, engage citizens on the issues and earn the mandate through democratic persuasion.

The final verdict belongs to the electorate.

Plateau's political future will not be determined by rumours about campaign appointments or by the desperation of rival political camps. It will be determined by the choices citizens make when they weigh the competing records, promises and visions before them.

The Rainbow Coalition may become a significant force in that contest. Whether it succeeds will depend on the principles it defends, the leadership it offers and the future it can credibly promise.

May wisdom prevail, and may Plateau State emerge stronger, safer and more united.

Dr. Samaila Achigak A. Rukuba

State Publicity Secretary (SPS)

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State

Eugene M Gotau: Now that Comrade Chair is AUPCTRE's President

By Katdapba Y Gobum 

For Comrade Eugene Manji Gotau; he is not oblivious that the history of the struggle for workers' rights is replete with various success stories; and even disappointments.

All genuine comrades in the struggle for workers' rights, nothing captures the essence than to keep rising in the process; while enjoying its dividends.

For Comrade Eugene, like most who are or have been involved in unionism, the place of mentoring is never an option. It is desirable for progress.

Those ahead are often inundated by younger turks who want to travel far in the trade. Mentoring has always been part of the struggle; otherwise, most would remain progressive dwarfs.

The trend was not lost in Eugene's trajectory; he was not oblivious of the road he had chosen. In the years that have gone by, Plateau State was lucky to have had some firebrand unionists whose actions and voices are often an anathema to the establishment.

That has not abated, since then. Those who know, give credence to the progressive womb that keeps birthing the combatants in each season.

While yours sincerely does not desparage the contributions of those whose struggles woke Manji's latent power of unionism; Comrade Yusuf Zambuk and Comrade Jibrin Banchir Kamga readily come to mind. He may have others, yours sincerely cannot be oblivious of the influence of those in the journey.

He grew up professionally on the plane of this orientation; always demanding what is due to the workforce, while making governments over the years uncomfortable for the purposes he was elected for. 

His persistence for union activism paid off sooner than he must have thought; thanks to the tutelage he went under some senior unionists, whose antecedence speaks more of how they were held.

At some point, he was Plateau State Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), member of the Joint Negotiations Council and before long, he was its National Financial Secretary and serving as, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Plateau State Council. The tenure is in its final stages.

The foundation to the top was indeed solid and the credentials intimidating, to say the least, for future assignments, he had looked forward to.

The outcome of the 7th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held in Kano for Eugene may well be the elixir needed for the mantle to lead AUPCTRE in the next four years.

The Kano delegates conference held September 23 and 24, 2026 was not fortuitous, after all, Governor Abba Yusuf; being an AUPCTRE member must influenced the choice of his state to host the event. Indeed, it paid off, the event lived up to expectation.

The conference has received commendations as worthy of emulation from no less a person than the Registrar of Trade Unions, who represented the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The others who were attracted to the conference were government and labour leaders, including representatives of the governors of Kano, Bauchi and Plateau State.

From the home state of the new President, the Permanent Secretary, Labour, Mr Peter Lamba was among dignitaries present at the conference.

Also present were the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero; President of the Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) , President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as well as representatives of Public Services International (PSI).

Manji's declaration that the time to take AUPCTRE to a higher pedestrial was the reward for the confidence reposed by his members in his team.

His predecessor, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, came on board in October 2017 at the time industry players acclaim as turbulent. In his eight years of steering the ship, he was able to calm the storm and set the Union on the path of stability, that turned out into victories.

The marks set by Comrade Benjamin Anthony in the last eight years are not lost on the new helmsman. He is aware that the campaign for accessible and affordable public services are the currency needed for the public to enjoy them without profit.

He has been in the forefront over the years in the campaigns concerning public service delivery and the impunity that has been associated with privatization of water and other public utilities, however, strongly advocating for constructive and healthy relationship between the union and civil society.

For those who know, Manji has also been a frontline voice against the privatization of water, and thus standing firm with civil society groups who are advocating for Public Public-Public Partnerships (PuP); rather than turn 'essential services into profit- oriented commodities.'

Comrade Manji's take over of the reins of leadership of a union that is stronger and united in purpose, the pursuit for "accountability, affordability and universal access" to public services are not discounted.

His resolve and capacities are not in doubt; we can only end up wishing him all the best on this journey.

PROPAGANDA HAS EXPIRED: PLATEAU VOTERS NOW ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS

There is a new mood in Plateau politics. The old playbook is no longer working.

For years, elections were won with loud slogans, ethnic sentiments, and well-packaged propaganda. That era is coming to an end.

Today, Plateau people are asking harder questions. They are no longer swallowing narratives hook, line and sinker. They are checking records, interrogating promises, comparing manifestos, and separating performance from packaging.

The age of blind loyalty is fading. The age of evidence has begun.

Citizens are more alert than ever. Government records are now in the public domain. Claims can be fact-checked in seconds. Promises can be measured against delivery. Propaganda can no longer cover incompetence.

As we move towards 2027, what should count is no longer who has the loudest media team or the most choreographed crowd.

What should count is clear vision, proven record, credible plan, and demonstrated capacity to deliver.

Who has a blueprint that can be understood?

Who has a record that can be verified?

Who has the competence to manage scarce resources and deliver real results?

These are the questions Plateau people are asking.

The future of Plateau cannot and should not be decided by propaganda, blackmail or recycled lies. It must be decided by superior ideas and superior performance.

So let the contest begin.

Let ideas compete.

Let records speak.

Let evidence lead.

Let the people decide.

PLATEAU FIRST.

PLATEAU 2027: THE GREAT ROAD ROBBERY – WHO OWNS MARARABA JOS-IBI ROAD?

(By Walbe OGAK)

As Mutfwang Govt Claims Federal Project, Records Show Nentawe's Fingerprints

The road to 2027 in Plateau State is getting murkier, and the latest controversy is over who actually owns one of the most strategic roads in the state - the Mararaba Jos to Ibi Road, which connects Plateau to Taraba State.

According toDr. Samaila Achigak A. Last week, the Sir Joe Ari Strategic Media Team, handlers of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, went to town with a bold claim: That their principal had secured the approval for the construction of the all-important Mararaba Jos - Ibi Federal Road.

The claim, however, collapsed like a pack of cards within hours, especially after the administration's lukewarm reception in Shendam, which many saw as a desperate attempt to save face.

Investigations reveal a different story entirely. The Mararaba Jos - Ibi Road is not a Plateau State Government project. It was not conceived by the Mutfwang administration. It was not lobbied for by Little Rayfield.

It is, in fact, another testimony of Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe's lobbying power at the centre.

Sources at the Federal Ministry of Works confirmed that the project was facilitated through sustained strategic engagement by Dr. Nentawe with the Presidency and the Federal Government - his brainchild, his effort, his political engineering.

Political watchers in Jos have described the move as the height of political scavenging.

"What we are seeing is a government that is bankrupt of achievements, running around Abuja to hijack federal projects and rebrand them as state achievements," a senior APC chieftain in Shendam told The Standard.

"This has never happened in Plateau history where a sitting Governor has to cling to another man's effort to survive politically. It shows desperation, not leadership."

After nearly four years and receiving trillions of naira in FAAC, IGR, and interventions, critics ask: what does Plateau have to show?

The administration's scorecard has been trailed by controversies:

- Claims of renovating 300+ Primary Health Centres, many of which are yet to be seen.

- Employment of 1,000 doctors that the NMA Plateau says it cannot verify.

- Training of 2,000 Plateau youths abroad in ICT, with no list, no location.

- Roads that exist only on social media graphics.

"When it is time to show real projects, they run to Nentawe's federal achievements. That is anti-performance cover-up," Dr. Rukuba noted.

"We were at Gharan when this road was flagged off. We know who facilitated it. We know who drove it. You cannot make Plateau people zombies overnight," said a community leader from Shendam.

The rejection in Shendam, analysts say, should have been a moment for reflection for the government, not an opportunity to double down on propaganda.

Beyond the road controversy, Plateau people are also asking questions about accountability of humanitarian funds:

- ₦2 billion Angwan Rukuba intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

- ₦1.5 billion support fund by First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu

- ₦100 million private donation by Apostle Johnson Suleman and others

"Where are these funds? Money meant for victims should not be converted to a 2027 war chest. Such money carries moral, spiritual and political consequences," the statement added.

As 2027 approaches, one thing is clear: Plateau voters have become more discerning.

"If you don't have projects to showcase, leave Nentawe's projects alone. Plateau people now know how to listen carefully, question boldly and reject deception decisively," the feature concluded.

PLATEAU FIRST: KEFAS-KEFIANO SALUTES MANJI’S NATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH

Manji’s Emergence Is a Victory for Plateau, Ngas People and Nigerian Workers

The PDP Governorship Candidate in Plateau State, Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik, has congratulated Comrade Gotau Eugene Manji on his election as National President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), describing the development as a powerful affirmation of Plateau’s capacity to produce leaders of national relevance.

Chief Kefas said Manji’s emergence represents more than a union leadership transition, describing it as a national recognition of years of grassroots engagement, labour leadership and commitment to the welfare of workers.

For the PDP candidate, the achievement carries particular significance for the Ngas people, as Manji becomes another Plateau son entrusted with a major national responsibility.

“Today, we celebrate not just an individual, but the strength, resilience and capacity of our people to rise from the grassroots and earn the confidence of Nigerians,” Chief Kefas said.

He noted that Manji’s journey from leadership of the NLC in Plateau State to the national presidency of AUPCTRE demonstrates the importance of credible grassroots leadership, courage and service to the people.

Chief Kefas said Plateau needs more leaders who can translate local experience into national influence, stressing that the state’s sons and daughters must continue to occupy spaces where decisions affecting ordinary Nigerians are made.

He described Manji’s new responsibility as an opportunity to strengthen the voice of Nigerian workers, promote fairness in the workplace and contribute meaningfully to national development.

“When one of our own rises, Plateau rises. When our people earn national responsibility, the entire state earns greater visibility and influence. This is the Plateau First spirit—recognising our people, supporting their progress and ensuring that Plateau continues to matter in national affairs,” he said.

Chief Kefas further urged Manji to remain steadfast in defending the dignity and legitimate interests of Nigerian workers, while bringing to his new assignment the humility, courage and sense of responsibility that have characterised his leadership journey.

He assured the newly elected AUPCTRE President of his goodwill and prayers, expressing confidence that his tenure would provide another opportunity for a Plateau son to contribute to the advancement of workers and the nation.

On behalf of his family and the Plateau First movement, Chief Kefas congratulated Comrade Gotau Eugene Manji and wished him wisdom, strength and a successful tenure.

Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik

PDP Governorship Candidate

Plateau State

BLDR. RAPHAEL RUME SUPPORTS MILE 8 FER JUNIOR SECONDARY WITH LEARNING MATERIALS

(BY WALBE OGAK)

In line with Governor Caleb Mutfwang's renewed commitment to educational development, the "Time is Now" administration has established a Junior Secondary School at Mile 8 Fer in Pankshin Local Government Area, bringing secondary education closer to the rural community for the first time.

In a commendable show of support for the Governor's good gesture, Bldr. Raphael Rume has stepped forward to complement government's effort by distributing learning materials to the newly admitted students of the school. The intervention includes books, writing materials and other essential learning aids to help the pioneer students settle down quickly into academic activities.

Bldr. Rume, who described education as the foundation for the future, said his gesture was borne out of his desire to key into Governor Mutfwang's vision of revamping education at the grassroots. According to him, when government brings the school to the doorstep of the people, it is the responsibility of well-meaning individuals to support the initiative to succeed.

The beneficiaries and community leaders of Mile 8 Fer expressed profound gratitude to both the Governor and Bldr. Rume, noting that the establishment of the school has removed the burden of trekking long distances to access junior secondary education, while the learning materials have eased the financial pressure on parents.

Indeed, this synergy between government and private individuals is what Plateau needs to rebuild its educational sector. Bldr. Rume's contribution is not just about books, it is about inspiring hope and investing in the future of Plateau children.

Details coming soon...

WHY LETEP DABANG SHOULD BE APPLUADED

(BY WALBE OGAK)

In a political era where betrayal, double-dealing, lies and propaganda have become the order of the day, one politician has stood out as a shining example of honour and principle, and deserves to be commended - Hon. Letep Dabang.

It is common knowledge in the Nigerian political system that you hardly find a politician willing to resign his juicy position on the basis of principle. Most would rather sit on the fence, pretend to be loyal to a candidate while secretly working against him, and only on election day or in the dead of the night will they reveal their true colours. They want to eat their cake and have it.

But in the case of Letep Dabang, the story is different. Upon deciding to pursue his political interest contrary to that of the administration where he served as Adviser to the APC National Chairman on Special Duties, he did not choose to stay and sabotage from within. He did not sit on the fence or pretend to be supporting Governor Mutfwang while still holding onto a lucrative federal appointment.

Rather, he honourably tendered his resignation. That singular act of courage, integrity and political sincerity is rare and worthy of emulation. In a time when many celebrate treachery as smart politics, Letep Dabang has shown that it is still possible to play politics with dignity and honour. For this, he should be commended.