Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has inaugurated a 10-member fact-finding committee tasked with uncovering the root causes of the persistent attacks plaguing communities across the state.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday in Jos, Governor Mutfwang charged the committee with conducting a comprehensive review of violent incidents from 2001 to date. “We thought that we should set up this high-powered fact-finding committee to look at the incessant attacks on our communities,” the governor stated.

According to Mutfwang, the committee is expected to perform an in-depth assessment of the recurring security breaches, determine the number of affected communities, and assess the extent of damage done over the years. “We want to understand the root causes and propose actionable recommendations for lasting peace, justice, and stability in the affected communities,” he said.

The committee’s mandate also includes establishing the number of casualties, identifying possible perpetrators and their motives, and uncovering potential routes used by bandits to access Plateau State. “Identify possible routes of bandits into the state and recommend measures to limit their access,” the governor added.

Chairman of the committee, retired Maj.-Gen. Rojas Nicholas, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the members. He pledged that the committee would approach its assignment with fairness and commitment. “We will do our best to produce a report that would befit its assignment,” Nicholas assured.

The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations in due course, with hopes that the report will provide a pathway to durable peace and security in the state.

President of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ), Mr. Abdulrahman Aliagan, has praised British-Nigerian Bright Opeyemi for becoming the youngest serving Mayor in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, Aliagan described Opeyemi’s rise as a landmark achievement in British political history and a proud milestone for Nigeria.

“The 29-year-old British-born daughter of Nigerian immigrants was officially inaugurated on May 16 as Mayor,” Aliagan noted.

“She now holds the title of First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham; a borough known for its diversity, resilience, and vibrant youth population.

“Opeyemi’s ascension is not just a personal victory, but a shining example of the excellence of the Nigerian diaspora and a source of national pride.

“She grew up in a family devoted to community building and social impact,” he added.

Aliagan highlighted that Opeyemi was elected as a councillor at just 22 and has spent the past seven years advocating for youth empowerment, social inclusion, and economic opportunity in her borough.

“Her rise to the mayoralty is the result of years of tireless service and stands as a testament to her character, competence, and credibility,” he emphasized.

He further stated that Opeyemi’s leadership represents a shared story—one rooted in resilience, achievement, and progress in multicultural societies.

“Her victory is especially symbolic as it challenges stereotypes around youth disengagement from politics.

“She epitomises a new wave of dynamic, inclusive, and globally minded leadership,” Aliagan said.

According to him, Opeyemi’s journey reaffirms the positive impact of Nigerian values such as education, resilience, and service when integrated into international systems.

“She proudly carries her Nigerian heritage with dignity. Her success is proof that culture and identity are assets, not obstacles, in public leadership,” he said.

Aliagan also noted that her story offers a refreshing counter-narrative to the often negative portrayal of Nigeria in global media.

“Her election should serve as a wake-up call. It reflects the untapped potential of our youth and diaspora community,” he added.

He called on Nigerian institutions and the government to draw inspiration from Opeyemi’s accomplishment by investing in youth leadership and incorporating diaspora voices into national policymaking.

“For young Nigerians, especially women, Opeyemi is living proof that neither age, gender, nor immigrant roots are barriers to greatness,” Aliagan concluded.

Yiaga Africa Berates ‘Draconian’ Bill Mandating Compulsory Voting, Jail Term for Defaulters

By Matthew Eloyi

A leading civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, has strongly opposed a bill currently before the National Assembly that seeks to make voting compulsory in Nigeria and proposes a six-month jail term for eligible voters who fail to vote.

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo, in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, described the bill as “draconian” and a gross violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

While acknowledging that the bill was intended as a legislative response to Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout, Itodo criticised the coercive approach adopted by the bill’s sponsors.

“Indeed, the right to abstain from voting is itself a legitimate form of political expression protected under domestic and international human rights law,” he stated.

Itodo noted that Nigeria’s voter turnout has historically been inconsistent due to a wide range of political and systemic factors. He provided historical data to contextualise the trend, recalling that voter participation was 34.6 percent in 1979, rising modestly to 38.9 percent in 1983, and standing at 35 percent in 1993.

“A notable surge occurred in 1999 with a turnout of 52.3 per cent, followed by a peak in 2003 when 69.1 per cent of registered voters participated,” he said.

However, the upward trend reversed in subsequent polls, recording 57.5 percent in 2007, 53.7 percent in 2011, 43.7 percent in 2015, 34.7 percent in 2019, and reaching an all-time low of 27.1 percent in 2023.

“The sharp decline has positioned Nigeria as the largest democracy in Africa with the lowest voter turnout,” he added.

According to Itodo, the proposed bill fails to address the real causes of voter apathy, including distrust in the electoral process, manipulation of election outcomes, and widespread dissatisfaction with governance.

“Democracy thrives on freedom which includes the choice to participate or abstain from voting. Compulsory voting undermines this democratic freedom and punitive sanctions for not voting erode the foundational principles of voluntary democratic engagement,” he asserted.

Rather than force citizens to vote under threat of imprisonment, Itodo called on lawmakers to pursue electoral reforms that would rebuild public trust, enhance the credibility of elections, and eliminate systemic obstacles to participation.

“These include reforms that guarantee mandatory electronic transmission of results, review of the mode of appointments into INEC, early voting, diaspora voting and improved transparency in the management of elections,” he said.

He emphasised that voter apathy should be tackled through trust, electoral justice, and government accountability — not punishment.

Itodo therefore urged the National Assembly to reject the proposed compulsory voting bill and instead channel its legislative energy into passing amendments that expand voting access, ensure electoral transparency, and protect the political rights of all Nigerians.