Plateau State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing deepening internal turmoil following the defection of prominent chieftain Chief Jude Eli Dakur to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Dakur, a former state commissioner, formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kerang, Mangu Local Government Area, on Monday.
Dakur cited a departure from the party’s founding principles and a desire to pursue a governance model rooted in inclusiveness, sincerity, and effective service delivery as key reasons for his exit. He accused the APC of straying from the aspirations of its committed members, describing his move as a necessary step toward realizing a people-oriented political vision.
His defection follows closely on the heels of another high-profile departure: Brig.-Gen. John Sura, a former governorship aspirant in the 2023 elections, resigned from the APC just three months after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While Sura did not elaborate on his reasons, analysts suggest the timing coincides with Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent move to the APC, fueling speculation of factional tensions.
Political observers view the successive defections—including those of Dakur and Sura in the past three months—as symptomatic of growing instability within the APC in Plateau State. The wave of exits has raised concerns about the party’s cohesion and its ability to maintain a united front ahead of future electoral contests.
With Dakur now positioning himself as an ADC gubernatorial candidate and others reassessing their political affiliations, the APC faces increasing pressure to address internal divisions before they escalate into a full-scale implosion.
