Plateau NDC Fractures as Two Rival Camps Field Competing Governorship Candidates

JOS, Nigeria – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Plateau State is facing a deepening internal crisis, with two rival factions producing separate governorship candidates ahead of the state's upcoming election, according to Premium Times.

The dispute has crystallized around two names: Jonathan Akuns, who emerged unopposed at the party's May 29 governorship primary and holds recognition from the NDC's national leadership, and Alfred Damiyal, who was affirmed as candidate by the state chapter in a separate exercise conducted in September, Premium Times reported.

The parallel candidacies underscore a widening rift between the party's national leadership and its Plateau State chapter – a division that threatens to undermine the NDC's electoral prospects in the state. The existence of two competing primary processes, held months apart and producing different outcomes, reflects a fundamental breakdown in the party's internal governance structures.

The situation raises significant questions about which candidate will ultimately be recognized by Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the legitimate NDC governorship flag-bearer for Plateau State. Typically, in such disputes, INEC defers to the position of a party's national leadership, which in this case has recognized Akuns following his emergence at the May 29 primary. However, the state chapter's decision to conduct a separate exercise and affirm Damiyal in September adds a layer of legal and administrative complexity that could require adjudication.

The NDC crisis in Plateau State is the latest example of intra-party conflicts that have increasingly characterized Nigeria's political landscape ahead of electoral cycles. Such disputes, when unresolved, frequently result in protracted litigation, voter confusion, and a weakened opposition presence – outcomes that could ultimately benefit incumbent political forces in the state.

As of the time of reporting, Premium Times did not indicate that either faction had reached a resolution or that the national leadership had taken further steps to reconcile the two camps. The trajectory of the dispute – and its resolution – is expected to have direct implications for the NDC's viability as a competitive political force in Plateau State's governorship race.

*This article is based solely on reporting by Premium Times. Eyes Mouth Ears will continue to monitor developments in Plateau State politics as more information becomes available. Additional context on other recent Plateau State news developments was not available in the sources provided for this report.*