The Senatorial ambition of Prof Chris Kwaja is getting a huge boost from a key center of power in Plateau North Senatorial District of Plateau State of Nigeria. The Youth Coalition in the area has elected to put its fate in Prof Kwaja’s hands, according to information available to Intervention.
It all happened at Mista Ali (Mc Alley), Pengana Constituency of Bassa Local Government Area Saturday, March 16th, 2026 when the go-getting academic and civil society activist turned politician was formally endorsed for the seat by the Coalition. Coalition leader, Dr. Usman Tiga justified their action by investing Prof Kwaja with visionary leadership potential based on his experience, integrity and competence. According to Dr Tiga, these are what anyone require to provide purposeful representation for the Senatorial District.
In the jointly signed letter and endorsement address, the Coalition – an assemblage of youths, stakeholders and supporters from across the Senatorial district – explained further how its decision followed careful consideration of Prof Kwaja’s track record in peacebuilding, governance, youth empowerment, and community development.
It is, additionally, banking on Kwaja’s rated local and international exposure, taking particular note of his period as Country Director for Nigeria at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), his previous service as Director-General of Research and Planning in Plateau State, his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as his engagements with international institutions including the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Other members of the Coalition are ascribing “a global voice with deep local roots,” to the potential Senator, someone whose understanding of Plateau State’s social and political realities positioned him to effectively represent the interests of the people at the National Assembly.
The address is equally putting a stress on Prof. Kwaja’s aspiration resonating deeply with the urgent need to break the cycle of poverty through expansion of opportunities for those at the margins, describing this as their central attraction to the potential candidate.
Saturday’s dramatic endorsement has, predictably, attracted appreciation from Prof Kwaja who is assuring that his ambition is driven by a desire to give quality representation to the less privileged and ordinary people in the community.
In a message directed at young people and all those who feel excluded from opportunities, Prof Kwaja urged them to hold each other up in the pursuit of change, stressing that transformation in society is necessarily collective in character and hence the need for a sense of solidarity, mutual encouragement and shared growth among such groups as far as building a more inclusive and just society.
Kwaja is arguing that with collectivism, it will be much easier and faster to effect positive change within their immediate communities, reaffirming that his ambition is centered on improving the lives and opportunities of people across Plateau North Senatorial District.
In agreeing with the Coalition’s note of his experience, especially in government, Kwaja confirmed serving as a Director-General of Research and Documentation as well as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the Governor Jonah Jang administration to whom he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Plateau State, noting that the experience provided him with a platform to apply his knowledge and expertise in governance and public service for the benefit of his people.
His background in academia and civil society makes Prof Kwaja’s entry into politics a subject of interest, with particular reference to imbuing representation with greater vigour corresponding to the defining instincts of academia and activism. Intervention does not know if Prof Kwaja has contenders but it assumes that voters in any Senatorial District in Nigeria today would be happy to have a professor as its Senator, especially a Professor with voice, visibility and ability to penetrate Abuja or the system and bring something back to the community.
