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.

2027: Plateau Women Alliance Moves to Consolidate Grassroots Structure in Northern Zone

Group Sets Ward, Polling Unit Mobilisation Target, Strengthens LGA Structures Ahead of Tinubu, Mutfwang Campaigns

By WALBE OGAK

The Plateau Women Alliance Support Group for Tinubu and Mutfwang 2027 has commenced a fresh drive to consolidate its grassroots political structure across the Northern Zone of Plateau State, with emphasis on ward and polling unit mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed Hon. Veronica Pwol, Zonal Coordinator, Northern Zone Plateau Women Alliance Support Group for Tinubu and Mutfwang 2027. The move formed the major focus of the Northern Zone Executive Meeting of the group held on Thursday, August 14, 2026, at the Sen. Simon Mwadkwon Hotel, Domkat, Bali Road, Jos.

The meeting, which attracted 35 executive members from across the Northern Zone, reviewed the organisational structure of the group and mapped out strategies for strengthening its presence at the grassroots.

Declaring the meeting open, the Northern Zone Coordinator, Hon. Veronica Pwol, welcomed members and commended them for their commitment to the movement, stressing the need for unity, discipline and effective coordination as the group prepares for the 2027 political season.

From Zonal Structure to Polling Units. At the centre of the deliberations was the need to build a functional structure capable of reaching women and other supporters at the grassroots.

The meeting consequently directed all LGA Coordinators to submit the names of their Ward and Polling Unit Coordinators within one week to the Assistant Secretary, Hon. Tabawa Aruku CNA.

The decision is expected to provide the group with a clearer organisational chain from the zonal leadership through the LGAs and wards down to polling units.

The LGA Coordinators were also mandated to forward the official list of APC candidates immediately after its release by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The Northern Zone leadership further emphasised the importance of cooperation among members of the organisation, directing all Advisers and State Executive Council members to work closely with the Zonal Coordinator and their respective LGA Coordinators.

According to the meeting, stronger collaboration among the various levels of leadership would enhance coordination and prevent duplication of responsibilities as political activities intensify towards 2027.

The group also moved to strengthen its identity and visibility, agreeing that the official cap would be used during meetings as a means of identification.

However, the T-shirt and cap would be reserved for campaign activities and courtesy visits.

LGA Inauguration: Patrons, Matrons, Advisers:

Preparations for the proposed LGA inauguration ceremonies also featured prominently during the meeting.

Each of the six LGAs in the Northern Zone was tasked with securing a minimum of four Patrons and four Matrons before the inauguration.

The LGAs were equally directed to identify prominent stakeholders who could serve in strategic roles, including Chairman, Special Guest and Chairlady, while also supporting the sponsorship and success of the inauguration programmes.

In another organisational decision, every LGA was mandated to have at least four Advisers, with the possibility of appointing more where necessary.

Other Zones to Establish Structures

The Northern Zone Executive also extended the organisational blueprint to other zones of the state.

The South West, South East, South and Middle Belt Zones were urged to constitute their respective Executive Councils, Patrons and Matrons.

The meeting stressed that persons selected into the various positions should be responsible and committed members capable of contributing meaningfully to the objectives of the movement.

Each of the zones is expected to conduct its own inauguration separately as part of the broader effort to establish a coordinated statewide structure.

A Grassroots Political Network

The resolutions coming from the meeting underscore the growing emphasis on grassroots organisation as political activities gradually build towards the 2027 elections.

For the Plateau Women Alliance Support Group, the strategy goes beyond holding periodic meetings, as the organisation seeks to establish a structured network capable of mobilising women and supporters across LGAs, wards and polling units.

The meeting ended at 4:00pm with a closing prayer and vote of thanks.

The Northern Zone leadership described the meeting as successful, saying it was conducted in an atmosphere of unity, commitment and determination to strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2027 elections