Jos – A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Alex Ladan, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Plateau State, saying the State requires a new direction driven by youth leadership, unity and renewed commitment to development.

Ladan made the declaration on Tuesday during a political gathering in Mangu, Mangu local government area, where supporters and Party stakeholders turned out to endorse his ambition.

Addressing the gathering, the PDP chieftain said Plateau was in urgent need of what he described as “a reset”, particularly in the areas of security, agriculture and education.

“My dear people of Mangu, when we proclaim PDP, our response must always be ‘Power to the People’ because true power belongs to the people,” he said.

He described the PDP as the most democratic political Party in Nigeria since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, adding that the Party’s roots in Plateau were built by respected leaders such as Solomon Lar, Jonah Jang, and others.

Speaking on insecurity in the State, Ladan lamented the recurring attacks and killings across communities, noting that Plateau had once enjoyed peaceful coexistence among its diverse ethnic and religious groups.

“Over time, Plateau, as a multi-tribal State, knew peace until enemies of progress stepped in to sow seeds of discord,” he stated.
According to him, protecting lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, while citizens must also work together to preserve unity and resist divisive tendencies.

“Our security challenges are largely products of external aggression. Therefore, we must avoid fighting one another. God, in His wisdom, placed Christians and Muslims together on this land to live in harmony,” he added.

On agriculture, the governorship aspirant said Plateau possesses enormous farming potential that must be properly harnessed through government investment and modern agricultural practices.

He pledged to revive agricultural initiatives introduced during the Jang administration, especially the Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC), which he said was originally designed to transform farming in the State from subsistence practice to mechanised production but subsequent administrations abandoned that legacy investment.

“Plateau is the food basket of Nigeria, and government must invest heavily in agriculture… When elected, I intend to revisit and fully revive that policy.” he said.

Ladan also promised to prioritise technical and vocational education if elected governor, stressing the need to improve learning conditions and tackle the rising number of out-of-school children in the State.

“An estimated 300,000 children are currently out of school across Plateau State. It is the sacred responsibility of government to return them to the classrooms,” he stated, while urging parents to support efforts aimed at improving access to education, and collectively encourage children to seek knowledge.

The PDP aspirant further paid tribute to former leaders of the State, including Joseph Gomwalk, whom he described as a visionary administrator whose policies laid the foundation for development in the old Benue-Plateau State.

Explaining his decision to remain in the PDP despite recent political realignments, Ladan said loyalty to the Party was a matter of principle and public trust.

“… The mandate given to the current administration was the people’s mandate. To abandon it for political convenience is a direct betrayal of public trust. I refuse to be a party to this breach of trust, a trust that was bought at the cost of innocent lives.”

He argued that the recent defection of the governor to the ruling APC had created a leadership vacuum within the PDP, which he said motivated his decision to join the governorship race after consultations with supporters and stakeholders.

“Some say the PDP umbrella is torn to pieces, but I choose to stand with those who will sew it back together rather than abandon it for the broom! I have unwavering faith that the PDP will survive these trying times and restore strong leadership to our State.

“The defection of the governor to the APC has left a vacuum in the PDP, and that space must be filled. After extensive consultations and prayers, I have chosen to join the race for the Governorship in 2027.”

Ladan, however, appealed to his supporters to shun violence and maintain peace throughout the political process.

“This is not a do-or-die affair. Everyone has the democratic right to present themselves and offer their vision to the people,” he said.

Some stakeholders at the event, including Ayuba Goje, the PDP Chairman of Mangu, his Deputy, Nathaniel Godfrey, and others, canvassed support for younger leaders, arguing that youth participation in governance could bring fresh energy and innovative ideas to addressing the State’s challenges.