From Zwanke Zwanke, Lafia

Job creation for youths and support for women-owned businesses have emerged as key promises of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State as the party begins its campaign tour ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The party made the pledge on Monday in Awe Local Government Area, where its governorship candidate, Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu, and other candidates commenced the local government campaign tour.
The Acting Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Mr Mark Ogbole, said a PDP administration would create employment opportunities for young people and support women in business to improve household incomes and economic security.
He said the party was seeking the people’s mandate to serve them and address their concerns, rather than abandon them after winning elections.
Ogbole said the decision to begin the campaign in Awe reflected the party’s intention to conduct a peaceful campaign across Nasarawa State.
Earlier, Ombugadu promised to prioritise security and infrastructure development if elected governor in 2027.
He said residents, particularly farmers, must be able to access their farms and pursue their livelihoods without fear of attacks, adding that security would be the foremost priority of his administration.
On infrastructure, the PDP candidate pledged to construct and rehabilitate roads linking communities within the state and improving connections with neighbouring states.
He specifically mentioned the road linking Akiri to Plateau State and routes connecting Nasarawa with Benue, Taraba and Plateau states.
Ombugadu also promised to pursue the proposed Wuse-Taraba road link and other rural roads to improve transportation, facilitate trade and open up communities for economic activities.
He said his administration would develop local tourism, citing the Hunkuyi Fishing Festival and Awe Hot Spring as attractions with the potential to generate revenue and create employment opportunities for residents.
The candidate assured the people that the development plans and campaign promises presented in 2019 and 2023, alongside those being made ahead of the next election, would be implemented if he secured the mandate.
The state PDP Chairman, Dr Daniel Gimba, described the campaign flag-off as a demonstration of the party’s determination to provide what he called purposeful leadership and address the hardship facing residents.
He expressed confidence that the PDP would win the election overwhelmingly if the process was not rigged.
“Today is a historic and remarkable day. We have chosen to start our local government tour, marking our victory coming in 2027 by the grace of God. 2027, there is no going back,” Gimba declared.
Also speaking, the PDP senatorial candidate for Nasarawa South, Dr Mike Omeri, thanked party members and supporters for their confidence in the candidates.
“Together with you, we will campaign to win the election, and we will win this election,” Omeri said.
Editorial distinction
Version 4 approaches the campaign from the perspective of tourism, investment and alternative revenue generation.
Version 5 focuses on employment, women’s economic empowerment and social welfare, while retaining security and infrastructure as supporting issues.
My recommendation: Use Version 4 for a development-focused political report and Version 5 for a separate story on the PDP’s proposed social and economic agenda.

From Zwanke Zwanke, Lafia

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has promised to harness the state’s tourism potential to generate revenue, create jobs and improve the livelihoods of rural communities if elected in 2027.

Ombugadu made the pledge on Monday in Awe Local Government Area during the flag-off of the PDP’s local government campaign tour ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He identified the Hunkuyi Fishing Festival and Awe Hot Spring as attractions his administration would develop to promote tourism and create economic opportunities for host communities.

The candidate said investment in local tourism would complement his proposed infrastructure development programme, particularly road construction and rehabilitation to improve access to rural communities and tourist destinations.

He promised to construct the road linking Akiri to Plateau State and improve strategic routes connecting Nasarawa with Benue, Taraba and Plateau states.
Ombugadu also mentioned the proposed Wuse-Taraba road link and other rural routes, saying improved connectivity would facilitate trade, strengthen inter-state relations and open up communities for economic activities.

He said security would be the foremost priority of his administration, stressing that farmers and other residents must be able to go about their daily activities without fear of attacks.

The PDP candidate assured the electorate that the development blueprints and promises made during his 2019 and 2023 campaigns, alongside those being presented ahead of 2027, would be implemented if he won the election.

At the event, the state PDP Chairman, Dr Daniel Gimba, said the party was determined to provide an alternative to the present administration and address the hardship confronting residents.

Gimba described Ombugadu as a man of integrity, transparency and hard work, expressing confidence that the PDP would win overwhelmingly if the election was not rigged.

“Today is a historic and remarkable day. We have chosen to start our local government tour, marking our victory coming in 2027 by the grace of God. 2027, there is no going back,” he declared.

The PDP senatorial candidate for Nasarawa South, Dr Mike Omeri, thanked supporters for the confidence reposed in the party’s candidates.
“Together with you, we will campaign to win the election, and we will win this election,” Omeri said.

The Acting Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Mr Mark Ogbole, said the party deliberately chose Awe to commence its peaceful campaign tour across the state.

He promised that a PDP administration would create employment opportunities for youths and support women in business, adding that the party was seeking power to improve the welfare of residents.

Concerns raised over political tensions and potential security implications ahead of 2027 elections

Fresh allegations of attempts to undermine the administration of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia have emerged amid reported political differences between the governor and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

The allegations, which have not been independently verified, concern claims of possible attempts to exploit insecurity and political divisions in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to accounts provided by sources cited by the newspaper and its media partners, individuals allegedly linked to the political dispute may be considering activities intended to weaken the governor’s political standing before the next election.

However, the newspaper has not independently established the authenticity of the alleged plans, the identities of those purportedly involved, or whether any preparations have taken place.

The allegations emerge against the background of reported political tensions between Akume and Alia following the governor’s assumption of office in 2023. The nature and extent of their disagreements, as well as claims surrounding the origins of the dispute, require further verification.

There are also claims of political realignments involving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political actors in the state. The implications of these developments for the 2027 governorship election remain uncertain.

Separately, allegations have been raised concerning possible attempts to influence public perception of the Benue State Government through political messaging and media engagements. These claims have not been independently substantiated.

Given the seriousness of allegations involving potential threats to public safety, relevant security agencies should establish whether credible intelligence supports them and take appropriate lawful preventive action where necessary.

Authorities should also investigate any credible evidence of plans to introduce armed groups into the state, orchestrate violence, unlawfully interfere with security operations or target political opponents.

As of publication, the newspaper has not independently verified claims concerning foreign fighters, alleged financial transactions, purported operational arrangements or the identities of individuals said to be involved.

Senator Akume, Governor Alia and other individuals mentioned in connection with the allegations should be given an opportunity to respond before specific claims against them are treated as established facts.

The newspaper will publish verified responses and material findings from competent authorities as they become available.

With the 2027 elections approaching, political stakeholders have a responsibility to promote peaceful competition, discourage inflammatory allegations and ensure that credible threats to the lives and property of Benue residents receive impartial investigation.