Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, has convened an expanded Northern Zone stakeholders’ meeting in Plateau State, calling for unity, increased political participation and sustained peacebuilding as the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies its electronic registration exercise ahead of future elections.
The meeting, held in Jos, the state capital, brought together political party leaders, elder statesmen and political office holders from across the Northern Zone of Plateau State.
Addressing participants, Dr. Doro said the engagement was aimed at interfacing with his constituents in the Plateau North Senatorial District, particularly to assess and encourage active participation in the ongoing APC electronic registration.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that Plateau State is adequately captured in the process.
“I am here to assess the situation, encourage participation and ensure that my constituency and Plateau State at large are adequately captured in the registration process. I am also here to interface with the people and encourage unity,” the minister said.
He noted that the forum also served as an opportunity to formally receive and encourage individuals who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, emphasising the need for cohesion and cooperation among party members.
Dr. Doro urged stakeholders to work collectively for the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and ahead of the 2027 general election, as well as for the success of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
According to him, the meeting forms part of early mobilisation efforts to position the APC strongly at the federal, state and local government levels, describing it as a platform to prepare party members for effective political engagement.
Peaceful Coexistence
Beyond partisan politics, the minister expressed concern over recurring security challenges in Plateau North and their humanitarian consequences.
He said his ministry is focusing on the humanitarian–development–peace nexus as a strategy to reduce crises through the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
“When we have peace, there will be less need for humanitarian intervention, and when there is less humanitarian intervention, we will have development and human capital growth,” he explained.
Dr. Doro also disclosed that his ministry will hold its inaugural Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Cross River State from Tuesday, January 27, where all states are expected to converge to harmonise policies and develop a unified national approach to poverty reduction.
He expressed optimism that sustained stakeholder engagement, peacebuilding initiatives and coordinated policies would contribute significantly to stability and socio-economic development in Plateau State and across Nigeria.