Plateau PDP crisis deepens as Wike faction elects Tongshep

By Golok Nanmwa

JOS – Fresh cracks have emerged within the Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the election of Peter Tongshep as chairman by a faction allegedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Tongshep was elected alongside 38 other executive members during what the group described as a peaceful consensus congress held in Jos on Tuesday.

The exercise, which witnessed heavy security presence, was reportedly supervised by a seven-member delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure order and credibility.

Prominent figures associated with the Wike-aligned bloc attended the congress, including former Sports Ministers Damishi Sango and Musa I. Azi, as well as party stakeholders such as Sarpiya Danyaro, Aminu Zang, Board of Trustees members Timothy Golu, and Rt. Hon. Johnbul Shekarau.

The development comes amid growing calls for reconciliation within the Plateau PDP, as rival factions continue to struggle for control of party structures against the backdrop of the national leadership crisis affecting the opposition party.

Dr. Samaila Rukuba, who identified himself as the newly elected state Publicity Secretary under the faction, described the congress as peaceful and orderly. He added that attention had now shifted to the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 in Abuja.

Rukuba urged party members to close ranks and work towards reclaiming what he described as the party’s “runaway mandate.”

However, the official Plateau State chapter of the PDP has rejected the exercise, dismissing claims of any fresh congress.

In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Choji Felix Dalyop, the party described reports of a new congress as “baseless fabrications” orchestrated by mischief-makers.

The statement maintained that the current leadership, headed by Hon. Raymond Dabo, was duly elected during a congress held on October 25, 2025, in an exercise observed by INEC and conducted in line with the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act.

“Our great party wishes to explicitly inform members, stakeholders, and the general public that it has no reason, intention, or plan to conduct a fresh state congress to replace the duly elected chairman and 38 other executive members,” the statement said.

It added that the tenure of the existing executive committee remains valid until 2028, warning those spreading contrary information to desist.

The party also reaffirmed its readiness to participate in the 2026 local government elections under the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) as well as the 2027 general elections.

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