News
Plateau witnessed low turn out in the re-run election

Plateau witnessed low turn out in the re-run election
By: Bodunrin Kayode
It was an obviously low turn out of voters in Plateau State for the re-run election which took place in the plateau north senatorial constituency
This was because most of the prospective voters in the senatorial zone learnt about 24 hours before the election that their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) logo was missing from the ballot paper.
Consequently, most of the residents decided to stay indoors amidst the “no movement” directive by the government rendering the polling units in the northern senatorial zone of Plateau State with abysmally low turn out.
While some of the polling units in the zone got their materials as early as 8am enough for the exercise to start, some of them got theirs quite late but in spite of that, they waited endlessly for the voters pinging their phones because there was nobody to conduct accreditation with in their units.
Some party agents in some wards in Rantia, Jenta, down to new haven were seen calling their people to come out from their apathy and vote because most residents who are supporters of PDP did not come out for the exercise.
Some of the voters complained that they did not see their party PDP on the ballot paper so they opted for some other friendly parties instead of going home like that while those who were supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) queued patiently for their candidates.
A resident who lives in Rantia and who preferred not to be named told this reporter that they were not happy that the political wrestling match between the elders of the PDP which ended in the appeal court recently has robbed them of vital seats in the national assembly and now they had to vote for candidates they never planned for.
“we were frustrated when we heard 24 hours ago that our party the PDP was not on the ballot paper for today’s election so we came out to vote for another party expectedly.
” Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) excluded the PDP we listened to our elders who advised us to vote for the Action Democratic Party (ADP) which was the only one that will support the interest of the people in the Senate.
” imagine we sent our agents to monitor the off load of the materials at the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) only to find out that the PDP was excluded from the ballot papers they were going to distribute today.
” At first they did not want our agents to see, but when we insisted we must check to avoid mistakes, our agents were mad to see that they were playing on the intelligence of the people all these days knowing that they had dropped off the PDP from the ballot”.
” On a whole, it was a low turn out averagely in the entire metropolis except for a few exceptions. Imagine at the hill station junction where a polling unit is located at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ,) only 25 people voted out of 250 registered. Just 10%, to me that was very low indeed”.
On the status of the election in Barkin Ladi, another source told this reporter that the election was peaceful in the area except that most people especially young people stayed off out of disappointment.
Last minute adoption with the absence of pdp on the ballot
This reporter learnt that not to loose completely, a last minute adoption was made by the elders of the PDP not mentioned in a hurriedly circulated text message to different wards that their teeming supporters should rather vote the ADP instead of going home to lament.
It went thus:” we deeply regret the minor setback that our party, the PDP, and its candidates have experienced leading up to the upcoming re-run election on Saturday.
” However, let us not allow this distraction to deter us as loyal party members. Let us prioritize the welfare of Plateau State above party affiliation.
” If you genuinely care about Plateau State, we urge you to support candidates who will assist Governor Caleb Mutfwang in making our state better. The most suitable candidates, who have undeniably demonstrated their capability in doing so, are PRINCE PAM MWADKON DACHUNGYANG from the ADP FOR THE Senate and
HON. DANIEL ASAMA from the LABOUR PARTY for Jos North/Bassa in the Federal House of Representatives.
“We believe that by electing these candidates, we will be acting in the best interest of Plateau State as a whole.
“Therefore, we kindly request that every one of you come out in large numbers to vote for these candidates on Saturday. Please spread the word so others can act the same. May Plateau Succeed” said the message they kept passing around.
But that was obviously too late for a lot of residents who swore that it is either PDP or nothing at all.
Plateau witnessed low turn out in the re-run election
News
Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has charged personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to continue to offer excellent services to its clients, declaring that efficient customer service is a right and not a privilege.
Comptroller General of the Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, gave the charge in Abuja when she declared open the 2025 SERVICOM Customer Service Week.

She assured that the Service is on an irreversible path of reform, modernization and improved transparency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The CGIS noted that the week-long event, themed “Mission Possible” with the NIS sub-theme “Meeting and Exceeding Expectations”, was an opportunity for officers to recommit themselves to the principles of courtesy, timeliness and citizens-centered service delivery.
She said: “The Nigeria Immigration Service must not only meet expectations but exceed them. Every passport issued, every permit processed, every encounter at our borders is a test of our professionalism and integrity. We must continue to build public trust and prove that we are a Service that delivers”, the CGIS declared.
She noted that on assuming office in 2024, she raised concerns over negative practices that dented the Service’s image and challenged officers to “go back to the drawing board.”
Nandap said that directive resulted in far-reaching reforms, including the passport automation and contactless processing system, designed to minimize physical interaction and eliminate bottlenecks.
She highlighted that: “Others are the deployment of e-gates and body cameras at airports, enhancing border security while promoting transparency; Intensified sensitization campaigns across formations to combat corruption and entrench professionalism.
“These reforms are already paying off,” she noted, citing improved national ratings, commendations and awards recently received by the NIS at government performance review retreats.
Nandap however urged NIS personnel nationwide to use the 2025 Customer Service Week as an opportunity to recommit themselves to exceeding public expectations, charging officers to uphold the Service’s reputation at all times.
She added that: “This celebration is not for fanfare. It is a solemn call to renew our pledge of service and to institutionalize transparency, courtesy and excellence as our standard culture.”
Earlier, Special Assistant to the CGIS on SERVICOM and Reform Champion, Barr. Muhammad Awwal Abubakar, a deputy comptroller of immigration, described the Customer Service Week as “a call to reflection, action and renewal.”
He emphasized that the global theme “Mission Possible” challenges public institutions to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation rather than excuses for inefficiency.
“Customer service is not a privilege given by government institutions but a right owed to the people. Our duty is to ensure that every interaction with the NIS leaves citizens and travelers with confidence in our integrity and efficiency”, Abubakar said.
The 2025 NIS SERVICOM Customer Service Week will feature activities across commands and formations nationwide, highlighting innovation, best practices and the Service’s ongoing transformation agenda.
Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients
Crime
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.
Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.
They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”
“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.
“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.
Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
News
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
By: Zagazola Makama
Maj.-Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas (rtd), Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee on Insecurity in Plateau State, says the crisis in the state involves both indigenes and non-indigenes across all ethnic and religious divides.
Nicholas, a former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, made this known while reacting to reports that the committee’s findings had indicted Fulani herdsmen as the aggressors in the prolonged conflict.
He clarified that the committee’s report, submitted last month to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, did not attribute blame to any single ethnic group, stressing that the violence in Plateau was a multi-dimensional problem involving various communities.
“The committee was set up by the state government to make findings and recommendations, which have been submitted to the government. The document is still classified until a white paper is issued,” Nicholas said.
He explained that during the committee’s engagements with community leaders across the state, it became evident that all sides had suffered and contributed to the cycle of violence.
“I think people need to be corrected based on the statement that Fulani are the ones causing the problem. The report did not say that,” he stated.
“While we are clear, everybody — all the ethnic groups in Plateau — are in one way or another involved in the crisis. In some areas, fingers have been pointed at particular groups, but our findings show that every community has played a part,” Nicholas added.
He further noted that many of the attacks in the state were reprisals triggered by earlier assaults, which often led to further bloodshed and destruction of property.
Nicholas maintained that the committee’s recommendations, once made public, would help guide the government in addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering lasting peace in the state.
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
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