Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, has described the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections as a belated move, arguing that a stronger alliance should have been formed before political parties conducted their primaries and selected candidates.
Plang expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win most elective positions in Plateau State in 2027, while backing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
“I am deeply convinced that APC will win the majority of the seats, whether in the governorship election, the National Assembly election or the State House of Assembly election,” he said.
On the opposition coalition, the senator argued that its formation came too late to achieve its intended political impact because the participating parties had already produced their candidates.
“They came very late. They came only when candidates of the parties had already emerged. If they had wanted a good coalition, it could have been formed before the parties produced their candidates,” he said.
He described the alliance as “more of a merger of convenience than a holistic coalition”.
The senator also dismissed concerns about Tinubu’s ability to campaign across the country, arguing that a presidential candidate did not need to visit every community or polling unit personally to reach voters.
He said organised campaign structures could communicate a candidate’s manifesto and plans through geopolitical zones, states, local governments and wards.
“If you have a campaign team that can take your message to the people, explain your manifesto and tell them what you intend to do, that is also a way of reaching the electorate,” he said.
Plang identified insecurity as one of the major concerns facing Nigerians and cited the establishment of additional military formations as part of the measures he believes could strengthen the country’s response.
He said improving security personnel’s welfare and expanding military infrastructure were important to addressing security threats.
In Plateau State, he pointed to additional military battalions in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Wase and Langtang as developments that could support security operations.
The senator said the establishment of permanent military bases in communities affected by insecurity would give residents hope that efforts were being made to address their concerns.
“There is an intentional decision by this President to give priority to security and address the high level of insecurity in the country,” he said.
Plang urged Nigerians to give Tinubu another opportunity to continue his reforms and security efforts.
Plang, a member of the Senate Committee on Works, also praised the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme, citing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Akwanga-Keffi road corridor.
He said he initially doubted the feasibility of parts of the coastal highway project, particularly the proposed reclamation and drainage works, but changed his view after visiting the project and attending the commissioning of its first phase.
“I have seen the project practically, and I can tell you that the reality is different from what many people imagined,” he said.
The senator described the infrastructure projects as long-term investments that could support economic development.
He urged Nigerians to assess political promises against actual performance, cautioning against abandoning what he considers tangible progress for an untested alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
