Month: October 2026

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NDC Stakeholders Reaffirm Support for Dapal Damiyal as Plateau Guber Candidate

The leadership and stakeholders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Plateau State have reaffirmed their support for Alfred Dapal Damiyal as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The position was expressed at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s state secretariat in Jos on Wednesday, September 30, where participants resolved to continue to recognise the September 15 affirmation exercise that produced Damiyal.

Stakeholders said the exercise was witnessed by party members and an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the process as the basis for their continued support for Damiyal.

The meeting also focused on the need to uphold the party’s internal procedures and maintain unity among members as preparations for the 2027 election continue.

Participants called on party members to respect recognised party processes and allow relevant institutions to address issues surrounding the governorship ticket.

The stakeholders also alleged that political opponents were attempting to exploit the disagreement within the party to create divisions among its members. They urged members to remain vigilant and united while concentrating on strengthening the party’s structures across the state.

The meeting further emphasised grassroots mobilisation, engagement with voters and preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

The reaffirmation comes amid an ongoing dispute over the NDC’s Plateau governorship ticket, with different party structures having backed competing candidates. Recent reports have identified Damiyal as the candidate affirmed by the Plateau State chapter, while Jonathan Sunday Akuns has been backed by the party’s national leadership.

The stakeholders nevertheless maintained their support for Damiyal and called for unity among party leaders, members and supporters as the NDC continues its preparations for the 2027 electoral contest in Plateau State.

By Staff Reporter
October 1, 2026

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Independence Day: Alfred Dapal Damiyal Calls for Responsible Citizenship Ahead of 2027 Elections

As we commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day, we are reminded that the essence of freedom lies not only in the independence of a nation, but also in the freedom and responsibility of its citizens to make choices that shape their collective future.

As we look ahead to the 2027 elections, I urge every citizen to cherish the independence of their conscience. Let us listen carefully, examine the records and ideas before us, and make our decisions freely, thoughtfully and without fear or undue influence.

Our democracy is strengthened when citizens are free to ask questions, hold leaders accountable and choose according to their convictions. Whatever our political differences, we must never lose sight of our shared responsibility to Nigeria and to the generations that will inherit the choices we make today.

May this Independence Day renew our faith in the Nigerian spirit and inspire us to build a society founded on freedom, justice, dignity and responsible citizenship.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria. 🇳🇬

Alfred Dapal Damiyal (ADD) Continue reading Independence Day: Alfred Dapal Damiyal Calls for Responsible Citizenship Ahead of 2027 Elections

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Court Restricts Akuns From Presenting Himself as NDC Governorship Candidate in Plateau

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By Staff Reporter

JOS — The Federal High Court in Jos has reportedly restrained Chief Jonathan Sunday Akuns from presenting himself as the governorship candidate f the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Plateau State, amid an ongoing dispute over the party’s 2027 governorship ticket.

The development followed a legal action connected to competing claims over the party’s substitution primary conducted in September.

The dispute centres on two rival claims. A September 15 exercise conducted at the NDC’s Plateau State secretariat produced Alfred Dapal Damiyal, while a separate exercise supervised by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) produced Akuns as its candidate.

Dispute Over NDC Governorship Ticket

The controversy emerged after the NDC held competing substitution primary exercises in Plateau State.

The party’s national leadership has maintained that Akuns emerged unopposed from the NWC-supervised exercise and that his name was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate.

However, the Plateau State chapter has backed Damiyal, following a separate exercise conducted at the state level. Reports indicate that the September 15 exercise produced Damiyal as the candidate recognised by the state structure.

The competing claims have created uncertainty over the identity of the NDC candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Damiyal’s Position

Damiyal’s camp maintains that the September 15 exercise was conducted at the party’s authorised secretariat in Jos and that relevant party structures and INEC officials were present.

The camp argues that the process complied with the party’s constitutional procedures and applicable electoral requirements.

The Sun had earlier reported that the Plateau NDC chapter affirmed Damiyal as its governorship candidate, with Meadkom Dung Vincent named as his running mate.

National Leadership Backs Akuns

The NDC national leadership, however, has taken a different position.

According to reports, the party’s National Auditor, Oluwole Adedapo, who was delegated by the NWC to conduct the substitution primary, declared Akuns the winner after he emerged unopposed.

The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, also stated that the national leadership had forwarded Akuns’ name to INEC as its nominee for Plateau State.

The conflicting positions between the national leadership and the Plateau State chapter have consequently escalated the internal dispute.

Court Intervention

The latest court development adds another dimension to the dispute as the competing sides seek legal and institutional clarification over the validity of the respective nomination processes.

The court’s reported restriction on Akuns’ public presentation as the NDC governorship candidate does not, by itself, resolve all questions surrounding the party’s ticket. The broader dispute remains subject to the court proceedings and the determination of the relevant party and electoral authorities.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the outcome of the legal proceedings could determine which of the competing claims is recognised under the law.

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PLASU Invites Global Investors as University Expands Research, Innovation and Technology

Plateau State University, Bokkos has created viable investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, manufacturing and technology through sustained investment in research and development.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, disclosed this on Wednesday during the University’s 2nd Inaugural Lecture.

Professor Best said PLASU has transitioned from its early stages to an advanced institution with strong capacity in teaching, research and innovation, and invited investors across all sectors to partner with the University in its ongoing expansion.

“PLASU is beyond a baby university at this stage. What we are giving the people of Plateau State is a university befitting of their standing. We don’t want to be ranked behind any state university in the North. There is no justification for that,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He noted that the lecture, titled “An Exposé on the Global South: 21st Century Challenges and Opportunities,” underscores PLASU’s alignment with global trends in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for investors in the private sector, agriculture and many other areas to partner with PLASU. The focus on the Global South shows you can have AI that appreciates and works with humanity to improve life,” he said.

“With respect to today’s lecture, artificial intelligence, machine learning and all of these are present in our University. We are delighted to celebrate a professor who has worked and taught in computer science and artificial intelligence. The moment PLASU has keyed into it, the entire Plateau State is in tandem with what is happening in the ICT world. We are part of a global community,” Best added.

The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the University has begun producing its own professors, with over ten professors of PLASU extraction so far.

“The tradition of inaugural lectures is associated with universities worldwide. When academics reach the pinnacle of their careers, they present a summation of their teaching, research and community service. We want to open the space for our professors to give their inaugural lectures. What we have had today will be replicated. We have other professors lined up and I envisage we will have two to three more before the close of this year, and more in 2027 based on the ongoing appraisal,” he said.

On expansion, Professor Best said, “When I came, I met five faculties at 100 level trying to settle down. These five faculties are now transiting to 400 level. We have introduced two new faculties now transiting to 200 level, and 16 new programmes about to commence at 100 level. More than that is the development of staff strength and quality.”

He credited the Visitor to the University and the government and people of Plateau State for the growth.

Delivering the lecture, Guest Lecturer, Prof. Luhutyit Peter Damuut of the Computer Science Department at PLASU highlighted opportunities in Artificial Intelligence for communities in the Global South, particularly within academia.

“My choice of topic is guided by global trends and my research field. I have been in this field since 2005. AI has been with us in different forms. We started out and most of the things we were working on evolved into AI today. AI has its roots in computer science. AI found us and now it’s here to live with us. We have to embrace it, work with it and explore the opportunities in it while containing the challenges, especially those peculiar to us within the Global South,” Damuut said.

  • Signed:
    Masara Kim
    Acting Public Relations Officer Plateau State University, Bokkos
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Independence Day: Dawal Reaffirms PLASCHEMA’s Commitment to Expanding Health Insurance Across Plateau

“As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, I extend warm greetings and goodwill to the people of Plateau State and Nigerians at home and abroad.

On this occasion, I felicitate with His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and extend my warmest Independence Day greetings to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang Esq, the Government and people of Plateau State.

Independence is more than the celebration of a Nation’s journey, it is also a reminder of our collective responsibility t

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o build a society where every citizen has the opportunity to live with dignity, hope and access to essential services.

At PLASCHEMA, we recognise that healthcare is at the heart of that responsibility.
Under the leadership of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang Esq, the Agency has continued to strengthen health insurance coverage across the State, expand access to underserved communities, deepen engagement with Local Government Areas, improve service delivery and advance systems that make healthcare financing more accessible, responsive and sustainable.

As we move forward, our focus remains clear: to take health insurance to the last person, at the last mile, and ensure that no one is left behind.
I equally appreciate the dedication of the PLASCHEMA family, our management, staff, desk officers, healthcare providers and partners, whose daily commitment continues to translate the Agency’s mandate into real experiences for the people we serve.

To the good people of Plateau State, thank you for your trust and partnership. Our commitment remains unwavering: to protect lives, reduce the financial burden of healthcare and bring quality health insurance closer to every household.

As we celebrate our nation, we renew our pledge to serve with integrity, compassion and dedication.
For God and the People”.

Dr. Kwande Solomon Dawal
Director-General

Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA)