Crisis Deepens in Plateau PDP as Wike-Aligned Faction Elects Parallel Executive Amid Claims of Legitimacy

The Plateau PDP splits as a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike elects Peter Tongshep as chairman. The official Dabo-led executive denies the move, citing their 2028 mandate.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:58 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP

Parallel Congress Sparks New Leadership Tussle in Plateau

Internal friction within the Plateau State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached a boiling point on Tuesday as a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, organized a parallel congress in Jos. The exercise resulted in the emergence of Peter Tongshep as the factional State Chairman, alongside 38 other executive members. Conducted under heavy security presence, the group claimed the congress was a "peaceful consensus" observed by a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This move signals a significant escalation in the struggle for control over the party's machinery in the state.

High-Profile Loyalists Back Tongshep’s Emergence

The Wike-aligned congress drew support from several notable PDP stakeholders and former high-ranking officials. Attendees included former Sports Ministers Damishi Sango and Musa I. Azi, as well as Board of Trustees (BoT) members Timothy Golu and Rt. Hon. Johnbul Shekarau. Dr. Samaila Rukuba, speaking as the faction's new spokesman, described the event as a necessary step toward the national convention scheduled for March 29 in Abuja. He urged party members to focus on reconciliation, though the very existence of the parallel executive suggests a widening gap between the rival camps.

Official Leadership Denounces "Mischief-Makers" and Fake Congress

In a swift and stern rebuttal, the established Plateau State PDP leadership, under Hon. Raymond Dabo, declared the parallel congress null and void. State Publicity Secretary Hon. Choji Felix Dalyop issued a statement labeling reports of the new executive as "baseless fabrications." The Dabo-led executive maintains that they were duly elected during a transparent congress held on October 25, 2025, with a mandate that extends until 2028. They emphasized that there is no official plan or constitutional basis to conduct a fresh congress, warning the public not to be misled by the activities of the breakaway group.