Says Plateau Governorship Campaign Must Be About Ideas, Capacity and Vision, Not Smear Campaigns
(By WALBE OGAK)
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across Plateau State, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Samaila Achigak A. Rukuba, has taken a swipe at Pasali and those allegedly behind what he described as a sustained campaign of distraction and unsubstantiated attacks against the governorship ambition of Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik, popularly known as Achigak, in a strongly worded political rebuttal, said the time had come for political actors and their supporters to move away from personal attacks and propaganda and focus on the fundamental issues confronting Plateau State.
According to him, the people of the state deserve a campaign built around ideas, credible development programmes and practical solutions to insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship.
He said that although he had initially considered the repeated outbursts against Kefiano unworthy of a response, it had become necessary to set the records straight and caution against attempts to substitute political engagement with what he described as “the politics of distraction.”
Dr. Achigak maintained that anyone who genuinely believes that a political candidate has violated electoral laws or failed to meet constitutional requirements should approach the appropriate institutions and seek legal redress.
He argued that Nigeria's democracy provides established legal and institutional channels for addressing disputes relating to qualifications, electoral processes and alleged violations.
“If anyone has credible evidence against any candidate, the appropriate thing is to present such evidence before the relevant authorities and, where necessary, pursue the matter through the courts,” he said.
According to him, public grandstanding, social media campaigns and repeated insinuations cannot replace evidence and due process.
“In a constitutional democracy, legitimacy is not determined by sponsored noise, propaganda or personal attacks. It is determined by law, due process, evidence and ultimately the will of the people,” Rukuba stressed.
He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, operates within a constitutional framework and that electoral disputes have recognised legal channels through which they can be pursued.
The PDP stalwart said the emerging political contest ahead of 2027 must not be reduced to endless controversies and personal attacks.
According to him, the central issue before the people of Plateau State is who possesses the capacity, vision and credibility to confront the state's numerous challenges.
He said the campaign should focus on practical solutions to insecurity, economic development, youth unemployment, infrastructure and the restoration of peace across troubled communities.
“The people of Plateau State deserve serious leadership conversations. They want to know who has the ideas and the capacity to move the state forward,” he said.
Dr. Achigak argued that candidates seeking public office must be prepared to subject their ideas and programmes to public scrutiny rather than relying on attacks against political opponents.
“Elections are not won through bitterness. They are not won through smear campaigns. They are won through ideas, credibility, capacity and the confidence of the people,” he declared.
Dr. Achigak challenged political actors and those critical of Kefiano's governorship aspiration to present alternative solutions to the challenges facing Plateau State.
He said political engagement should be centred on competing development agendas rather than attempts to manufacture controversy.
According to him, those seeking relevance in the political space should present clear programmes for the people.
He listed some of the issues that should dominate the 2027 campaign as:
Security and the protection of lives and property;
Youth empowerment and employment;
Economic growth and investment;
Infrastructure development;
Education and healthcare;
Rural development; and
Sustainable peace and reconciliation.
“Let those who seek to participate in the political process come forward with their programmes. Let them tell Plateau people what they intend to do differently. Let there be debates based on facts, policies and ideas,” he said.
The PDP chieftain also cautioned against what he described as the growing tendency of reducing political competition to personal hostility and character assassination.
He insisted that leadership should be judged primarily on the basis of competence, integrity, capacity and the ability to deliver meaningful development.
According to him, politicians who abandon substantive arguments in favour of insults and personal attacks risk exposing the weakness of their own political positions.
“The future of Plateau State is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of personal vendettas,” he said.
He further called on political leaders to demonstrate greater responsibility in managing their supporters and controlling the tone of political communication.
According to him, leaders must not encourage individuals who thrive on provocation, misinformation and division.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, Rukuba warned against creating an atmosphere of hostility capable of threatening the peace and stability of Plateau State.
He said political leaders, candidates and their supporters must recognise the consequences of reckless political rhetoric.
According to him, the state requires a peaceful and issues-based political environment where candidates can present their visions to the electorate without intimidation, propaganda or unnecessary hostility.
He called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other major political stakeholders to promote political tolerance and ensure that democratic competition does not degenerate into bitterness.
“Those who plant the seeds of hostility and division must understand that political rhetoric has consequences. Plateau State needs peace and responsible leadership,” he said.
Dr. Achigak expressed confidence that Plateau voters would not be swayed by campaigns built solely around unsubstantiated allegations and personal attacks.
He said the electorate had become increasingly conscious of the issues affecting their daily lives and would judge political leaders based on their records, credibility and capacity to deliver.
“The people are watching. They are listening. And when the time comes, they will make their decisions based on who offers the most credible vision for peace, security, development and prosperity,” he stated.
He maintained that attempts to undermine credible candidates through smear campaigns would ultimately fail because Plateau people are capable of distinguishing between genuine political engagement and deliberate distraction.
As the race towards 2027 gathers momentum, Rukuba urged political actors across party lines to embrace a campaign defined by ideas and respect for democratic institutions.
“Plateau State deserves a campaign defined by ideas, not insults; by vision, not vendettas; by evidence, not propaganda; and by constructive engagement, not political distraction,” he declared.
He added that the ultimate responsibility of every political leader should be to protect the peace of Plateau State while offering the people a credible pathway towards a more secure and prosperous future.
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