The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s Plateau State has escalated, with two rival factions holding separate congresses and electing competing state chairmen. The latest development occurred on Tuesday when a faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike conducted a consensus congress, electing Peter Tongshep as its parallel state chairman.
This follows an earlier congress held on October 25, 2025, by another faction loyal to former presidential candidate Tanimu Turaki. That gathering, which took place at the WAYE Foundation in Jos, resulted in the election of Chief Raymond Dabo as state chairman alongside 38 other executive committee members.
Both factions claim legitimacy and present their elected executives as the authentic leadership tasked with securing victory in the 2027 general elections. The Tuesday congress, attended by notable figures including former Sports Ministers Damishi Sango and Musa Azi, as well as Board of Trustees members Timothy Golu and Rt. Hon. Johnbul Shekarau, was held under heavy security presence. A seven-member delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervised the proceedings.
Following the congress, Dr. Samaila Rukuba, elected as spokesman for the Wike-aligned faction, described the event as peaceful and orderly. He stated that with state congresses concluded, the party’s focus now shifts to the PDP National Convention scheduled for March 29 in Abuja. Rukuba urged party members across Plateau to embrace reconciliation and work collectively to reclaim what he termed the party’s “runaway mandate.”
The parallel leadership elections underscore the deep divisions within Plateau PDP, mirroring a larger national schism between supporters of Wike and those aligned with other party leaders. This fragmentation poses a significant challenge to the opposition party’s cohesion and strategic preparation for the 2027 polls. The outcome of the national convention may ultimately determine which faction’s structure gains formal recognition, intensifying the stakes in the ongoing power struggle.
