The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Plateau State, Samuel Danauta Kyarkshik (SDK), has outlined what he described as a radical approach to tackling insecurity, poverty and economic challenges in the state.
Speaking with journalists at his residence in Jos on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Kyarkshik said Plateau’s challenges require a different approach to governance, anchored on security, economic development and stronger leadership.
He cited poverty as one of the major concerns, claiming that while the National Bureau of Statistics puts Nigeria’s poverty rate at 63 per cent as of August 2026, Plateau’s rate stands at 84 per cent. He also questioned the impact of increasing federal allocations on the lives of residents, arguing that the state must develop ways of generating more internal revenue.
On insecurity, which he identified as his number one priority, SDK claimed that more than 167 communities were attacked between 2023 and 2025, resulting in over 2,630 deaths and more than 45,000 internally displaced persons.
He said his approach would focus on investigation, prosecution and accountability, insisting that people who attack communities should not be allowed to return to their places of origin without facing justice.
The gubernatorial candidate also unveiled a 120-page document, titled Plateau Transformation Roadmap 2027–2037 and Plateau Economic Master Plan, which he said would guide his proposed economic reforms.
With his background in Pure Chemistry and a development consultant, he said Plateau could generate more wealth from its mineral resources by establishing industries around minerals such as lead, graphite, barite and copper instead of exporting them as raw materials.
He cited agriculture as another area with significant economic potential, saying nine local government areas in Northern and Central Plateau produce Irish potatoes commercially, while more than 95 per cent is reportedly taken out of the state in raw form. He proposed processing the crop into starch, flour, chips and other products to create jobs and increase revenue.
On youth development, Kyarkshik said his 16 years of experience working with people affected by drug addiction had informed his plan to establish a rehabilitation and social reorientation centre, alongside measures to address the trafficking of young girls.
He also addressed the controversy surrounding Terminus Market, claiming that Plateau is losing about ₦60 billion annually for 24 years because of the failure to rebuild the market. He said the figure is almost equivalent to the state’s annual federal allocation.
He vows to rebuild Terminus Market at its original location, with modern facilities, additional floors and parking spaces.
He also opposed what he described as the destruction of informal markets, arguing that the informal sector should be organised and regularised because of its contribution to the state’s economy.
The APM candidate, who is from Mangu, the same senatorial zone as Governor Caleb Mutfwang, also spoke about his previous political experience. He said he contested the governorship election in 2019, lost at the polls and learnt from the shortcomings of that campaign.
SDK said his current ambition is not about fighting any individual but about what he described as rescuing Plateau. He expressed confidence in his ability to win the 2027 election and presented “Take Your Destiny Back” as his campaign slogan.
He said his overall objective is to build an economy that can operate beyond federal allocations, create more employment opportunities and reduce poverty and unemployment in the state.
