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