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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos; Tony Osauzo, Benin and Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
Senator representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang, has warned that outsiders cannot determine who becomes the state’s next governor, as Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo rallied support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, describing the 2027 polls as a defining moment for Nigeria’s growth and development.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a seven-day exercise in Gombe State for voters to verify their details and challenge ineligible entries in the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the elections.
Speaking to journalists in Jos, Plang said Plateau’s political future must be determined by its people, warning that allowing external forces to dictate their choice would undermine the state’s honour and leadership in the Middle Belt.
“It will be unfair for anybody to think that somebody somewhere can decide who will be governor for us. Then we will lose our honour, we will lose our leadership in the region,” he said.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, said Plateau had sufficient military, academic and political leaders to chart its own course.
He urged residents, elders and political stakeholders to unite, protect the will of the electorate and hold elected officials accountable.
“Nobody should be standing here and feel that someone will make him a leader outside Plateau,” he said.
Asked whether his remarks referred to the Rainbow Coalition, Plang said: “I just want to assure you that I don’t even know about Rainbow Coalition. I don’t even know what’s happening about Rainbow Coalition.”
He criticised what he described as overambitious statements by politicians and their supporters, warning that voters would punish arrogance and disrespect at the polls.
Plang, however, expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure a second term, describing the President’s policies as “futuristic” and arguing that the administration’s initial difficulties were part of the governance cycle.
He dismissed the opposition “gang-up” as a collection of competing regional and tribal interests which, he predicted, would dissipate as the elections approached.
The senator identified security, electoral transparency and responsible political conduct as essential to credible elections. He urged authorities to ensure citizens could vote freely and INEC had the materials and logistics required for a transparent process.
He also called for inclusive language and civility during campaigns, saying a transparent contest would make it easier for defeated candidates to accept the outcome.
In Edo, Okpebholo urged Nigerians to take the elections seriously, saying their choices would determine whether the country consolidated its development gains or returned to retrogression.
He spoke during APC mobilisation visits to Akoko-Edo and Etsako West local government areas, where party leaders canvassed support for Tinubu’s re-election.
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“2027 is a defining year for Nigeria’s growth and development. This is the year we are voting for our president, Senators, House of Representatives members and House of Assembly members to finish the good work our president commenced,” he said.
Okpebholo commended Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a necessary reform to address longstanding economic challenges. He maintained that the administration’s reforms would deliver long-term benefits.
Former Edo governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also called for continuity, praising Tinubu’s courage and determination to implement reforms.
Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe urged members to work towards delivering the 2.5 million votes the party had promised Tinubu.
He said strong electoral support would strengthen Edo’s demand for additional local government areas, adding that collaboration among the governor and federal and state lawmakers would help advance the request.
The mobilisation train has visited 11 of the state’s 18 local government areas.
Okpebholo also pledged to extend infrastructure development across Edo’s three senatorial districts, promising a requested step-down transformer, rehabilitation of the water board in Akoko-Edo and repairs to a flood-damaged bridge leading to Ibillo.
“The step-down transformer you requested will be provided and it’s a package we will deliver to make you know that I am a son of President Tinubu,” he said.
Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa praised the administration’s efforts against cult-related killings, kidnapping and banditry, saying residents were experiencing improved security.
In Gombe, INEC said the register-verification exercise would run from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, across all 114 Registration Areas, including weekends, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Registered voters were urged to visit their Registration Area Centres to confirm their names and other details. Those whose names were omitted or whose information contained errors could submit claims for inclusion or correction using the prescribed forms.
Members of the public could also object to the inclusion of ineligible persons, including non-Nigerians, underage persons and deceased voters.
The commission said available Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) could be collected during the exercise.
It clarified that the cards currently ready were for people who registered during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, between August 25 and December 10, 2025, as well as those who transferred, replaced or updated their registration during that period.
PVCs for people who registered or changed their records in 2026 were not yet available, INEC said, but printing was underway and the cards would be ready before the elections.
The commission urged voters to use the seven-day window to submit claims and objections, saying their participation was essential to ensuring that the register accurately reflected eligible voters.
