Academics from tertiary institutions across Plateau State on Friday unveiled 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 inaugurated during a gathering of scholars and institutional leaders in Jos, where organisers said the initiative would focus on policy dialogue, voter sensitisation and broader engagement of the academic community in the democratic process.
Speakers at the event said the platform seeks to harness the intellectual influence of the academic community to support governance and strengthen political participation in the state.
The Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Jeremiah Satmark, who addressed participants at the event, described academics as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission often recruits ad-hoc electoral officials from tertiary institutions due to their perceived credibility and professional standing.
According to him, the administration of Governor Mutfwang remains committed to reforms in the education sector and improving conditions across tertiary institutions in Plateau State.
“We believe the academic community has a critical role to play in shaping governance through informed engagement and constructive participation,” Satmark said.
Earlier, the Provost of the College of Education, Gindiri, Professor Lazarus Maigoro, who serves as patron of the platform, said the initiative was designed to mobilise academics to contribute more actively to political discourse and governance.
Maigoro said Plateau State hosts more than 20 federal, state and private tertiary institutions, with an estimated 15,000 academic staff and about 350,000 students, describing the academic community as one of the most influential constituencies in the state.
Also speaking, Associate Professor Augustine Azi, the state coordinator of the platform, said the group intends to promote intellectual advocacy, grassroots engagement and voter education as part of efforts to deepen democratic participation.
Professor Jimam Lar of the University of Jos said his decision to associate with the initiative followed his assessment of developments in the education sector in the state.
Lar said recent engagements with Governor Mutfwang during a research project supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund encouraged him to support policies he believes are advancing tertiary education in Plateau.
Participants at the meeting said the platform would also engage students and local communities through voter education campaigns and policy discussions aimed at strengthening democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
