Plateau PDP suspends zonal vice chairman amid deepening party crisis

By Golok Nanmwa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has suspended its Southern Zone Vice Chairman, Hon. Mankup Peter Tongshep, for one month over alleged anti-party conduct.

The suspension, which takes immediate effect, was announced by the State Working Committee (SWC) in a statement issued on Thursday in Jos.

Signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Choji Felix Dalyop, the party said the action was taken pursuant to Section 57(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), citing Tongshep’s conduct under Sections 58(1)(i) and (j) following a preliminary hearing.

The statement noted that Tongshep is barred from performing his duties as Southern Zone Vice Chairman during the suspension period.

It further disclosed that the matter has been referred to the party’s State Disciplinary Committee for further investigation and recommendations, in line with Section 57(3) of the party’s constitution.

The Plateau PDP reiterated its commitment to discipline and the rule of law, stressing that no member is above the party’s regulations.

The development comes amid a deepening crisis within the state chapter of the party, following the emergence of parallel leadership structures.

A faction reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had earlier conducted a parallel congress in Jos, where Tongshep was elected as state chairman—an outcome rejected by the party’s official leadership as invalid.

In a related development, a founding member of the PDP and elder statesman, Hon. Damishi Sango, defended the parallel congress, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard the party’s future.

Sango said the exercise, which he described as a peaceful consensus process, produced Tongshep and 38 other executive members.

He maintained that the move was aimed at ensuring the survival of the PDP in Plateau State and securing its participation in future elections.

Drawing a biblical analogy, Sango likened the situation to King Solomon’s judgment, stating that true party loyalists are those committed to preserving the PDP.

“The real mother is the one who says the baby must not die. I am among those who do not want the PDP to die,” he said.

He insisted that the executives produced by his group are the authentic leadership of the party in the state, while describing the rival faction led by Chief Raymond Dabo as illegal.

Despite the differences, Sango said he holds no personal grudge against Dabo, whom he described as a long-time political ally.

He called on all party members to set aside their differences and unite to reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The crisis has left the Plateau PDP sharply divided, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership in the state.

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