Verified Conversations and Inside Plateau, in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication, are set to host a Democracy 2027 Town Hall Meeting aimed at deepening democratic engagement and promoting accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event is scheduled to hold on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Crispan Event Centre in Jos by 12:00 p.m.
The town hall is expected to bring together journalists, policymakers, civil society organisations, youth groups, government officials, and members of the public to discuss Nigeria’s democratic journey and key issues shaping the future of governance in Plateau State and the country at large.
Speaking ahead of the event, Team Lead of Verified Conversations, Samson Omale, said the initiative was a continuation of the “2023 Conversation” project launched in 2021 to engage citizens on leadership recruitment and democratic participation before the 2023 elections.
According to him, the platform was created to ensure citizens have a voice in determining who emerges as leaders through active participation and open engagement.
Omale explained that the 2026 edition, tagged “2027 Conversation: Plateau State Beyond Elections,” seeks to move beyond campaign rhetoric by creating a space where citizens can directly engage public office holders and demand accountability.
He noted that the organisers chose Democracy Day as a fitting opportunity to deepen discussions around governance, transparency, and citizen participation.
“This is an advocacy platform aimed at bringing citizens together to ask questions and get answers, especially from public office holders. We want to look beyond elections and discuss governance, accountability, and the future of Plateau State,” he said.
Omale disclosed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang is expected to serve as the keynote speaker at the town hall, where he is expected to respond to questions from citizens on governance and development issues affecting the state.
He emphasized that the programme is independently organised and designed to provide an open and inclusive platform for honest conversations on governance.
The Team Lead further revealed that several radio stations within and outside Plateau State had partnered with the organisers to broadcast the event live to a wider audience.
Also speaking, Business Manager of Inside Plateau, Munta Phikwallayan, described Inside Plateau as a media platform committed to documenting and promoting the positive stories and untold narratives of Plateau State.
She said the organisation focuses on highlighting the state’s strengths and providing opportunities for citizens to tell their own stories beyond the dominant negative narratives often associated with Plateau.
Phikwallayan noted that the collaboration with Verified Conversations was driven by the need to bring all stakeholders together for meaningful dialogue on governance and the future of the state.
According to her, such conversations are necessary to foster understanding, encourage participation, and create a collective vision for Plateau State beyond politics and elections.
During the media briefing, journalists also raised concerns over the effectiveness of public town hall engagements, especially regarding accountability and the implementation of promises made by political leaders.
One participant questioned how the platform intended to ensure that issues raised by citizens would translate into concrete action, particularly in areas such as insecurity and governance performance.
The organisers, however, maintained that the town hall was intended to strengthen democratic participation and create sustained engagement between citizens and leaders beyond election periods.