Dr. Danjuma Sanda
A former Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, Dr. Danjuma Sanda, has pledged to pursue a comprehensive programme of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation in communities affected by years of violence in Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.
Sanda made the pledge on Saturday in Jos while unveiling his manifesto and formally declaring his intention to contest the constituency’s seat on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
He said his approach to peacebuilding would involve affected communities and other relevant stakeholders, stressing that lasting peace could not be imposed without first addressing the issues that fuel conflict.
“I have always maintained that we cannot negotiate peace for the people; we must negotiate peace with them, by first identifying and addressing what went wrong in the first place,” he said.
According to Sanda, the proposed reconstruction and reconciliation framework would focus on healing old wounds, rebuilding trust and restoring development in communities devastated by violence.
He said his legislative agenda would prioritise peace and security, respect for human dignity and the protection of vulnerable members of the constituency.
Beyond security, Sanda pledged to address infrastructure deficits, strengthen inter-communal harmony and create greater economic opportunities for youths and women through legislative interventions and community-based initiatives.
He identified digital skills training, agricultural support and entrepreneurship development as key areas through which young people and women could be empowered to become economically self-reliant.
Sanda also promised to lobby the Federal Government for strategic interventions, including the rehabilitation of rural and urban roads and improved access to primary healthcare across Bassa/Jos North.
On education, he said he would collaborate with local and international non-governmental organisations to support the renovation and upgrading of schools while promoting technology-driven learning for young people in the constituency.
The YPP aspirant further promised an open-door style of representation, with regular town-hall meetings and grassroots consultations to ensure that constituents have a voice in determining legislative priorities.
He also pledged to promote inter-religious harmony, saying the challenges confronting the constituency must remain a priority at every level of government.
Sanda disagreed with the view that youth unemployment was the fundamental cause of recurring violence in Plateau State, arguing that unemployment was often a consequence of crises that destroy businesses, homes and livelihoods.
“People often attempt to explain crises primarily in terms of unemployment. However, I see unemployment more as an effect than the fundamental cause of such crises,” he said.
He also questioned how sophisticated weapons could be acquired amid widespread poverty.
“People who cannot afford two square meals a day can afford AK-47,” Sanda said, arguing that resources spent acquiring weapons should instead be channelled into productive ventures that improve livelihoods and strengthen communities.
On environmental concerns, Sanda pledged to draw the Federal Government’s attention to what he described as widespread ecological devastation caused by decades of mining activities in the constituency and across Plateau State.
He said he would push for a proper assessment of mining-related environmental damage, remediation of affected areas and compensation for communities where necessary.
According to him, abandoned mining ponds are scattered across Bassa/Jos North, while farmlands and other environmental resources have also been lost to mining activities.
Sanda said his decision to seek the constituency’s mandate followed consultations with stakeholders and was driven by his desire to provide effective, consistent and competent representation.
He maintained that the constituency needed a representative capable of articulating Plateau’s interests effectively at the national level and helping the Federal Government better understand the state’s realities and challenges.
“There has been a deep misunderstanding of the Plateau situation at the national level, and I intend to work towards fostering a better understanding and appreciation of our realities, challenges and aspirations,” he said.
Sanda said his ultimate goal was to serve with integrity, accountability and dedication while ensuring that the aspirations of constituents remained at the heart of legislative decisions.
