Plateau PDP Leadership Tussle: Jang Backs Dabo, Rejects Tongshep

Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, has dismissed the outcome of a recent congress organised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the exercise as illegal and of no consequence.

The congress, held in Jos last Tuesday by the Wike-backed group, reportedly produced Peter Tongshep, a former PDP chairman in Mikang Local Government Area, as the state chairman alongside 38 other executive members.

Prominent figures present at the event included former Minister of Sports, Damishi Sango, former minister Musa I. Azi, as well as Board of Trustees members Timothy Golu and Johnbul Shekarau, among others.

However, in a statement issued in Jos on Monday, Jang, who is recognised as the PDP leader in Plateau State, rejected the exercise, branding it a “kangaroo congress” allegedly orchestrated by self-serving actors in collaboration with external undemocratic forces.

He maintained that Raymond Dabo remains the legitimate chairman of the party in the state, having emerged through a valid congress monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Jang stressed that the State Working Committee of the party remains intact and lawfully constituted, noting that there was no justification for conducting a parallel congress.

“All actions taken by those involved in the so-called congress are null and void, both legally and publicly, and of no effect,” he said.

The former governor linked the development to the lingering crisis within the PDP at the national level, expressing optimism that party leaders are making efforts to resolve internal disputes and restore unity.

He urged members of the party in Plateau to remain calm and focused, warning against actions capable of deepening divisions within the party.

Reaffirming his position, Jang declared that the PDP structure in the state remains under the leadership of Dabo, insisting that no parallel executive would be recognised.

Meanwhile, the Dabo-led PDP structure had earlier announced the suspension of Tongshep shortly after his emergence from the factional congress.