Academics from tertiary institutions across Plateau State have launched a political platform aimed at mobilising intellectual and grassroots support for Governor Caleb Mutfwang and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The platform, known as Plateau Academics for Mutfwang–Tinubu 2027, was unveiled during a gathering of scholars and institutional leaders on Friday in Jos.
Participants said the initiative is designed to promote governance through intellectual advocacy, policy dialogue and voter sensitisation, while encouraging greater participation of the academic community in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff to the Plateau State Governor, Jeremiah Satmark, commended members of the academic community for organising themselves to contribute to national development.
He described academics as critical partners in Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission often recruits ad-hoc electoral officers from tertiary institutions because of their credibility and integrity.
“In an academic environment, people think deeply and critically. Gatherings like this remind us of the kind of leadership we have adopted—a servant leader committed to the development of the state,” he said.
Satmark added that the administration of Governor Mutfwang remained committed to reforms in the education sector and improving conditions across tertiary institutions in the state.
Earlier, the Provost of the College of Education, Gindiri, and Patron of the platform, Professor Lazarus Maigoro, said the initiative was conceived to harness the intellectual capacity of academics in shaping governance and political discourse.
According to him, Plateau State hosts more than 20 federal, state and private tertiary institutions, with over 15,000 academic staff, about 30,000 non-academic staff and an estimated 350,000 students.
“The formation of Plateau Academics for Mutfwang–Tinubu 2027 is anchored on the conviction that governance must be supported by informed voices, credible analysis and constructive engagement,” he said.
Maigoro explained that the group would focus on intellectual advocacy, voter sensitisation, grassroots outreach and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening democratic participation.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the initiative, Associate Professor Augustine Azi, said his involvement in the movement followed careful reflection on developments in the education sector and governance in the state.
He said recent developments in tertiary education encouraged academics to play a more active role in supporting initiatives that promote institutional growth and good governance.
Similarly, Professor Jimam Lar, adviser representing Plateau South Senatorial Zone, said academics had traditionally been known for speaking truth to power but noted that recent developments convinced him that scholars should also support leadership and policies that advance institutional development.
Lar, who spent more than two decades at the University of Jos as a lecturer and union activist, said his interaction with Governor Mutfwang during discussions on a research project funded under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund National Research Fund revealed a leader with strong interest in educational development.
“In my assessment, since 1999 we have not had a governor who has been as deliberate about tertiary education as Governor Mutfwang,” he said, urging members of the platform to conduct their political engagement with integrity and intellectual responsibility.
Other speakers at the event included Dr Vera Anap, adviser representing Plateau North Senatorial Zone, and Professor Iliya Goyit, adviser for Plateau Central Senatorial Zone, who both described the platform as an effort by intellectuals to contribute to governance and political stability.
Participants said the platform would also engage students and communities through voter education and policy discussions aimed at strengthening democratic participation ahead of future elections.
