The crisis in the Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified with the emergence of two rival governorship candidates. On September 15, 2026, a substitution governorship primary was organised by the Plateau State chairman, Solomon Ndam Yakubu, producing Alfred Dapal Damiyal as the candidate. Damiyal had previously contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in the state.
However, a separate substitution primary supervised by the NDC National Working Committee (NWC) produced Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns as the party's governorship candidate. The primary was attended by stakeholders from 10 local government areas, three senatorial district chairmen, and the deputy chairman of the state chapter. Oluwole Oladapo, chairman of the primary election committee, announced Akuns as the winner.
The emergence of the two candidates has created uncertainty within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly among candidates contesting other elective positions under the NDC platform. Akuns, acting on the NWC's directive, convened a meeting of all NDC candidates in the state to harmonise the selection of polling unit agents. However, the candidates declined to attend, fearing it would be seen as taking sides with either governorship candidate.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, had announced that the party was consulting with stakeholders towards establishing and inaugurating its Presidential Campaign Council. The party leadership directed state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders to collate and harmonise lists of party agents for the elections, in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
In Plateau, allegations suggest that the state chairman, Solomon Ndam Yakubu, backed a separate legal challenge against the NWC-supervised governorship primary. A suit filed by Hon. Umar Ashmar Jibrin at the Federal High Court, Jos, seeks recognition of the governorship substitution primary that produced Damiyal. The case names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the NDC, and others as defendants.
The national leadership's continued absence of a clear public position has left the Plateau chapter with competing claims over its governorship ticket. The party's candidates face uncertainty over which structure to work with ahead of the 2027 elections. The development has significant implications for the party's performance in the state.
The NDC crisis in Plateau State highlights the challenges facing the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The situation requires urgent attention from the national leadership to resolve the crisis and present a united front. The party's ability to effectively campaign and win elections in the state may be compromised by the ongoing internal conflict.
Key points
- The emergence of two rival governorship candidates has created uncertainty within the NDC in Plateau State.
- The national leadership's lack of clarity on the status of the rival claims has exacerbated the crisis.
- The crisis may impact the party's performance in the 2027 general elections in Plateau State.
