Middle Belt Stakeholders Seek Dickson’s Intervention in Plateau NDC Guber Ticket
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
A group, Middle Belt Young Political Stakeholders, has called on the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson to intervene in the attempt to displace the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Jonathan Akuns.
Its President, Gaius Shekwolo and Secretary, Abdulllahi Iliya, made the call while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja.
The group noted that the time has come for Dickson to look into the shenanigans of those it described as political jobbers in Plateau State.
It maintained that Dickson should ensure that the planned substitution or rerun governorship primary scheduled for Tuesday September 15, 2027 was unwarranted for Akuns who remained the candidate.
It added that the plan was part of a broader effort to displace the sole candidate that emerged unopposed at the initial primary on 29th May 2026.
“We heard that an influential political leader in the state doled out large sums of money to some NDC leaders to set the groundwork for possible disqualification of the party for the February 2027 governorship election in the state.
“With the experience of PDP that suffered a judicial loss of its election victory of the 2023 national election during which the party won the National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats, it was expected that political leaders in Plateau State should avoid actions capable of repeating that costly mistake.
“Plateau State should not be a Guinea pig for political merchandising that robs voters the power to elect their leaders. NDC should fish out those building the foundation for another judicial intervention in the electoral process due to breach of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines,” the group stated.
2ND STORY ON JUMP 10
FG, VGN Deepen Partnership on National Security, Economic Development
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The federal government has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) as part of coordinated and concerted efforts to enhance the security of lives and property across the federation.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, made the pledge when the Commander-General and National Chairman of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Otunba James Udoma, led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the VGN, ACG Igho Akeregha, the minister described the Vigilante Group of Nigeria as an important grassroots security organisation contributing to the protection of lives, community safety and national development.
He said there was considerable scope for a stronger partnership between the Ministry and the VGN, adding, “We are prepared to engage, identify practical areas of collaboration and develop programmes that will translate this relationship into measurable benefits for Nigerian youths and our communities.”
The minister stressed that such collaboration must operate within the law and complement the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of Nigeria’s recognised security agencies.
Olawande commended VGN personnel for the sacrifices they make daily in communities across the country, describing their commitment as a demonstration of patriotism and service to humanity.
“The work you do is not ordinary. When men and women voluntarily put themselves at risk to save lives, protect communities and support the peace of the nation, that sacrifice must be recognised.
“You are operating at the grassroots, where many security challenges first emerge, and that presence is extremely important,” he said.
He further stressed that those who risked their lives to save others deserved the recognition and support of government.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
A group, Middle Belt Young Political Stakeholders, has called on the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson to intervene in the attempt to displace the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Jonathan Akuns.
Its President, Gaius Shekwolo and Secretary, Abdulllahi Iliya, made the call while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja.
The group noted that the time has come for Dickson to look into the shenanigans of those it described as political jobbers in Plateau State.
It maintained that Dickson should ensure that the planned substitution or rerun governorship primary scheduled for Tuesday September 15, 2027 was unwarranted for Akuns who remained the candidate.
It added that the plan was part of a broader effort to displace the sole candidate that emerged unopposed at the initial primary on 29th May 2026.
“We heard that an influential political leader in the state doled out large sums of money to some NDC leaders to set the groundwork for possible disqualification of the party for the February 2027 governorship election in the state.
“With the experience of PDP that suffered a judicial loss of its election victory of the 2023 national election during which the party won the National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats, it was expected that political leaders in Plateau State should avoid actions capable of repeating that costly mistake.
“Plateau State should not be a Guinea pig for political merchandising that robs voters the power to elect their leaders. NDC should fish out those building the foundation for another judicial intervention in the electoral process due to breach of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines,” the group stated.
2ND STORY ON JUMP 10
FG, VGN Deepen Partnership on National Security, Economic Development
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The federal government has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) as part of coordinated and concerted efforts to enhance the security of lives and property across the federation.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, made the pledge when the Commander-General and National Chairman of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Otunba James Udoma, led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the VGN, ACG Igho Akeregha, the minister described the Vigilante Group of Nigeria as an important grassroots security organisation contributing to the protection of lives, community safety and national development.
He said there was considerable scope for a stronger partnership between the Ministry and the VGN, adding, “We are prepared to engage, identify practical areas of collaboration and develop programmes that will translate this relationship into measurable benefits for Nigerian youths and our communities.”
The minister stressed that such collaboration must operate within the law and complement the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of Nigeria’s recognised security agencies.
Olawande commended VGN personnel for the sacrifices they make daily in communities across the country, describing their commitment as a demonstration of patriotism and service to humanity.
“The work you do is not ordinary. When men and women voluntarily put themselves at risk to save lives, protect communities and support the peace of the nation, that sacrifice must be recognised.
“You are operating at the grassroots, where many security challenges first emerge, and that presence is extremely important,” he said.
He further stressed that those who risked their lives to save others deserved the recognition and support of government.
