The crisis within the Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has escalated, with the national leadership yet to take a stance on the factionalisation caused by the state chairman, Solomon Ndam. Ndam recently organised a separate substitution governorship primary, which produced Alfred Dapal Damiyal as the candidate. Damiyal had earlier lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary in the state. This development has created tension within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC national leadership had conducted a governorship primary, which was won by Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns. The primary election committee chairman, Oluwole Oladapo, announced Akuns as the winner, with stakeholders from 10 local government councils, three senatorial district chairmen, and the deputy chairman of the state chapter in attendance. Akuns then convened a meeting of all NDC candidates for the 2027 elections to harmonise the selection of polling unit agents. However, the candidates declined to attend, citing concerns about taking sides with either of the two governorship candidates.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, stated that the party is in active consultation with stakeholders to develop and inaugurate a Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). The party's leadership has directed state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders to collate and harmonise the list of party agents for the forthcoming elections. However, the Plateau State chairman, Ndam, allegedly instigated a surrogate, Umar Ashmar Jibrin, to take the party to court, seeking to uphold his factional governorship substitution primary as valid.
The court case, filed at the Federal High Court in Jos, names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the NDC, the NWC of the NDC, the Plateau State Executive Committee, and Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns as defendants. The matter had yet to be assigned to a presiding judge at the time of reporting. This development has further complicated the crisis within the Plateau State chapter of the NDC.
The NDC crisis in Plateau State has significant implications for the 2027 general elections. The party's inability to present a unified candidate may affect its chances of winning the elections. The national leadership's inaction on the factionalisation has created a leadership vacuum, allowing different factions to emerge. The crisis may also have a ripple effect on the party's performance in other states.
The Plateau State chapter of the NDC is not the only one facing internal conflicts. The party's national leadership is also dealing with other factionalisation issues across the country. The party's ability to manage these crises will be crucial in determining its success in the 2027 general elections. The NDC's leadership will need to take decisive action to resolve the crisis in Plateau State and other affected areas.
The crisis within the NDC has raised concerns about the party's stability and ability to present a strong challenge in the 2027 general elections. The party's national leadership will need to take a firm stance on the factionalisation and ensure that the party presents a unified front. The outcome of the court case and the party's ability to manage its internal conflicts will be crucial in determining its chances of success in the elections.
Key points
- The crisis within the Plateau State chapter of the NDC has escalated ahead of the 2027 general polls.
- The national leadership's inaction on the factionalisation has created a leadership vacuum.
- The party's ability to manage internal conflicts will be crucial in determining its success in the 2027 general elections.
