Engr. Kevin Nedim Pankshin, the APC candidate for Kanke Constituency in the 2027 Plateau State House of Assembly election, has called for a deeper examination of the root causes of insecurity in Plateau State, saying lasting solutions require more than increasing the number of security agencies.
Pankshin, a former Personal Assistant to APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, made the position known while discussing insecurity, state police, political reforms and development priorities for Kanke Constituency.
He said he was concerned about the security situation in Plateau but argued that authorities must first identify the specific causes of the crisis before deciding on appropriate interventions.
According to him, factors such as tribal conflicts, religious tensions, mining, cattle rustling and land-related disputes have all been suggested as possible causes of insecurity, but there is a need to establish the specific problems driving violence in different communities.
Pankshin said understanding the root cause would make it possible to develop targeted solutions, including community-based security measures.
He suggested that where land-related attacks are identified as a major threat, authorities could map entry and exit routes in affected local government areas and explore measures such as observation towers and improved community surveillance.
State Police Requires Careful Assessment
On the proposed establishment of state police, Pankshin said he would not support or reject the idea without first examining the legal framework and operational details of the proposal.
He said important questions must be answered regarding funding, command structure, recruitment, training and how state police would operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Pankshin noted that the demand for state police is partly driven by perceived deficiencies in the existing security system, arguing that simply creating another layer of policing would not address the problem if the underlying weaknesses remain.
He also questioned whether challenges within the existing security system stem from manpower shortages, inadequate training, poor remuneration, incentives or command structures.
He therefore called for a careful assessment of the proposal before implementation.
Candidate Raises Concern Over Security Recruitment
Pankshin also attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to weaknesses in recruitment, particularly the role of families and communities in recommending individuals for security positions.
He argued that proper attention must be given not only to the qualifications of recruits but also to their character and background.
He described a situation where individuals considered troublesome within their communities could be encouraged to join security agencies as a way of removing them from the community, potentially creating further problems when such individuals are deployed elsewhere.
For him, strengthening the security architecture must therefore begin with greater responsibility at the family and community levels.
Pankshin Calls for Political Unity Ahead of 2027
On political disagreements within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, Pankshin said differences of opinion should not automatically be interpreted as division.
He said members of the same political party should be able to express their views while maintaining their commitment to the party.
He called for sustained unity and understanding among party members, saying political engagement and communication remain important as the party prepares for the election.
Pankshin also acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, saying reforms could create temporary hardship but arguing that efforts to change existing systems require time.
Candidate Identifies Development Gaps in Kanke
On his priorities for Kanke Constituency, Pankshin said his focus would extend beyond his constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking and oversight.
He identified the absence of a clearly recognised area of comparative advantage for Kanke as one of the challenges he wants to address.
He said Kanke should develop sectors that can attract investment and give the local government a distinct economic identity.
Pankshin proposed closer collaboration among the commissioner representing the local government, the state House of Assembly member and the local government chairman.
He also advocated involving councillors and community development structures in identifying the specific challenges and economic potentials of each ward.
According to him, development should be based on the needs and resources of individual communities rather than relying only on large-scale projects.
He cited agriculture, water and infrastructure as areas where relatively modest interventions could unlock economic opportunities.
For instance, he suggested that communities with agricultural potential but limited water access could explore small-scale water projects and irrigation to support dry-season farming.
He said increasing agricultural production to commercial levels could create jobs, generate income and eventually attract people and investment to Kanke.
Pankshin maintained that coordinated planning among political representatives, local government authorities and communities would be essential to translating Kanke’s available resources into sustainable economic opportunities.
