Plateau State Governorship aspirant, Yilcini Jan Bida
Plateau State Governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yilcini Jan Bida, has declared that he remains firmly in the race ahead of Thursday’s primaries, insisting he would defeat Governor Caleb Mutfwang if the process is free and fair.
Bida made the declaration during a media session with journalists in Jos, where he unveiled his development blueprint tagged the _“LIGHT Agenda”_ and criticised what he described as failed promises and poor governance in the state.
He said he was contesting with a clear programme and not merely to participate in the electoral process, adding that his administration would be guided by measurable targets across security, infrastructure, human capital development, and economic growth.
“This is to inform the good people of Plateau State that I am still in the race. Rumours have been flying around that I have stepped down and that I am no longer in the race, but I want to tell you that I am still in the race and fully committed to contesting in Thursday’s primaries,” he said.
“I am not contesting just to add to the number. I have a programme. We are not coming to govern without a covenant with the people of Plateau State.”
A retired military officer, Bida has anchored much of his campaign on security reforms and governance accountability, drawing on his background in military operations and public sector administration.
“If there are free and fair primaries, I can assure you of one thing: I will defeat the incumbent governor,” Bida said.
“Why? Because the people of Plateau are tired. The people of Plateau have witnessed failed promises. I just spoke about a budget where over N300 million was allocated, but only N22 million was released. How do you explain that?”
The aspirant accused the present administration of misplaced priorities, alleging that while critical sectors suffered poor implementation, billions of naira were spent on vehicle purchases.
“Then you look at the same budget and see over N7 billion allocated for the purchase of vehicles. They even listed vehicle purchases as capital expenditure, whereas if you keep buying the same vehicles every year, then it is no longer capital expenditure; it has become recurrent expenditure,” he noted.
Speaking on insecurity, Bida linked recurring attacks in communities to poor infrastructure and lack of mobile network coverage, saying delayed responses by security agencies had worsened the situation in many rural areas.
“One of the cardinal successes of any military operation is response time. What is the point if we cannot respond quickly enough to save lives and property?” he asked.
He promised to pursue 100 per cent mobile network coverage across the state, improve road access to vulnerable communities, and reform Operation Rainbow through community-based recruitment and intelligence gathering.
The retired military officer also said his security background placed him in a better position to address the security challenges confronting the state.
“If facing an incumbent governor scares me, then I have no business talking about insecurity in Plateau State,” he said.
“Being governor of a state means that once there is a security issue, the first responsibility falls on leadership. If I become governor, it will be easier for me to interface with the various security agencies because I understand their language, their methods of operation, and how they work.”
Bida further unveiled plans to spend about N1 trillion on infrastructure over four years, including the construction of at least 40 kilometres of roads in each of the 17 local government areas of the state.
He also proposed the establishment of a Plateau Enterprise Development Fund to provide single-digit loans and grants to small businesses, farmers, and young entrepreneurs.
On the issue of zoning and the possibility of serving only one term if elected, Bida said the decision ultimately rests with the people of Plateau State.
“If the people of Plateau State decide tomorrow that Bida should go, then I will go. It is the people who decide,” he said.
Responding to questions on whether he would step down if asked by party leaders or the presidency, the aspirant said no political ambition was worth the blood of any citizen.
“If my ambition will lead to loss of lives or instability in Plateau State, I will step down immediately.
“No political ambition is worth the blood or life of any Plateau citizen,” he declared.
