Nigerian politicians urged to shun hate, put country first at Jang’s 80th birthday

Nigerian politicians were urged to abandon divisive rhetoric and place the national interest above partisan considerations at an event marking the 80th birthday of former Plateau State governor, Senator David Jang, according to The Guardian Nigeria News.

Former Minister of Finance and Labour Party figure Nenadi Usman rallied politicians from across the political spectrum to reject hate speech and divisive politics, framing the call to put Nigeria first as a shared obligation. The gathering served as both a celebration of Jang’s eight decades and a moment of reflection on the country’s political climate.

Jang, who served as governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015 and later represented Plateau North in the Senate, has been a longstanding figure in Nigeria’s Middle Belt politics. Plateau State has historically been at the centre of tensions between farming and herding communities, and his birthday has typically drawn a wide cross-section of political figures.

Concerns about inflammatory political rhetoric in Nigeria have been repeatedly raised by civil society organisations, election observers and electoral authorities, particularly during election cycles. Political campaigns have often drawn criticism for the use of ethnic and religious appeals, prompting recurring calls for more issue-based engagement.

As The Guardian Nigeria News reported, the event pressed for unity across ethnic and religious lines in a country whose diversity has often been exploited for political gain, with participants urged to defend a legacy of national cohesion.

Sources

This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.

• The Guardian Nigeria News — Jang at 80: Nenadi Usman rallies politicians to shun hate, put Nigeria first