Internal Rifts Deepen in Plateau State PDP as Parallel Congress Elects Second Party Chairman

A Wike-backed faction has elected Peter Tongshep as parallel PDP chairman in Plateau State, deepening the party rift ahead of the March National Convention.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 9:02 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

A Factional Showdown Reshapes the Plateau Political Landscape

The internal stability of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State has faced a significant setback following the emergence of a parallel executive committee. During a congress conducted on Tuesday, a faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, formalised its break from the existing party structure by electing Peter Tongshep to the chairmanship. This move establishes a dual leadership hierarchy within the state, as the party remains unable to consolidate its various wings under a single administrative banner ahead of future electoral cycles.

Historical Grievances and the Legacy of the 2025 Leadership Vote

Current tensions are rooted in a previous leadership transition that took place on October 25, 2025, when a separate group loyal to Tanimu Turaki gathered in Jos to install Chief Raymond Dabo. That earlier assembly resulted in the appointment of 38 executive members intended to guide the party through the 2027 general elections. By holding a second, independent congress this week, the Wike-aligned group has effectively rejected the legitimacy of the October proceedings, signaling a deep-seated refusal to recognize the authority of the Turaki-backed leadership.

Security Protocols and Regulatory Oversight at the Tuesday Assembly

The atmosphere surrounding the most recent vote was marked by a heavy security presence, with law enforcement deployed in significant numbers to prevent potential disruptions. Despite the underlying political volatility, the event maintained a formal character through the attendance of a seven-member delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission. The presence of these federal monitors suggests an effort by the Wike faction to provide their parallel executive with a veneer of official recognition, even as the broader party remains legally and administratively divided.