Crisis in Plateau NDC as Two Candidates Emerge for Governorship

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Plateau State is having serious problems. Rival groups are claiming the party's ticket for the 2027 governorship election.

This disagreement has led to two candidates: Jonathan Akuns, who was the only candidate at the party’s May 29 primary and is supported by the national leadership, and Alfred Damiyal, who was confirmed as the state candidate in a different event in September.

This situation raises questions about who will represent the party in the February 2027 governorship election.

The latest crisis began after the national leadership tried to confirm Mr Akuns’ candidacy through a process held in Jos on September 15. But Solomon Ndam, the state chairman, rejected this process and held a separate event that produced Mr Damiyal as the candidate.

On September 16, the Plateau state chapter publicly confirmed Mr Damiyal as its candidate, with Mwadkon Vincent as his running mate. This affirmation took place at the party’s secretariat in Jos and was reportedly attended by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Damiyal then shared his development plan, focusing on security, education, employment, agriculture, economic development, and infrastructure.

Background of the Dispute

Mr Akuns was the only contender at the NDC’s May 29 governorship primary. He bought the expression-of-interest and nomination forms and went through the screening process, according to party sources.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the forms cost ₦30 million. Mr Akuns was nominated without opposition. However, later on, the party listed Mr Ndam as its candidate in a notice from the national leadership.

This announcement created tension within the party and led to calls for another exercise to confirm the Plateau ticket. The national leadership sent its National Auditor, Oluwole Adedapo, to Jos for what it called a substitution or affirmation exercise.

Mr Adedapo stated that Mr Akuns was the only candidate recognized in this process. He insisted that the national leadership, not the state chapter, is responsible for conducting governorship primaries. The Plateau chapter disagreed and held a separate process that resulted in Mr Damiyal being chosen.

Who is Alfred Damiyal?

Mr Damiyal ran for the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in May 2026, using the name Alfred Ali Dapal, and received 5,036 votes. He has been active in discussing Plateau’s development issues for many years.

In a 2022 article, he argued that unemployment, poverty, and limited economic chances were leading to insecurity in the state. Mr Damiyal called for more investment in agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and job creation. He said Plateau needs to create opportunities for young people.

He pointed to agriculture, mineral resources, and struggling industries as areas that could create jobs and boost the economy. Mr Damiyal has a background in the energy sector and has worked in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, holding technical and management positions. He is also an entrepreneur involved in agriculture and other businesses.

Damiyal's Plans

At the September affirmation, Mr Damiyal’s campaign presented a development agenda focused on restoring peace and improving the state’s economic and social conditions. His key priorities include education, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, and economic development.

His team argued that Plateau needs a new approach to governance. They said old methods would not solve the state’s new challenges. The focus on security and jobs is crucial due to Plateau’s ongoing security issues and the economic struggles many communities face.

But the immediate task for Mr Damiyal is to share his policy agenda. He is the candidate of the state chapter while the national leadership insists that another person is the official candidate.

Akuns's Position

Mr Akuns’s candidacy is supported by the NDC national leadership. They say he won the party’s May primary without opposition and came out of the national leadership’s September process. The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, said they have sent Mr Akuns’ name to INEC.

He added that any submission not authorized by the national officers would be contested. The national leadership has rejected the state chapter’s attempt to recognize Mr Damiyal.

The dispute has also drawn calls for help from political stakeholders. The Middle Belt Young Political Stakeholders urged the NDC’s national leadership to step in and prevent what they see as an attempt to undermine the original primary’s outcome.

They warned that holding another primary after an unopposed candidate emerged could lead to legal troubles.

Divided Party Before Elections

This disagreement shows a larger division within the NDC’s Plateau structure. While the state leadership has moved forward with Mr Damiyal and his running mate, the national leadership insists that Mr Akuns is the legitimate candidate.

The two sides have different views on who has the authority to conduct or confirm the primary process. The national leadership claims governorship primaries are their responsibility. The Plateau chapter says INEC monitored its primary.

Mr Ndam insists there was no wrongdoing and that the state-level exercise was valid. But the national leadership has said it will not recognize a primary held by the state chapter without their permission.

The conflict goes beyond just Mr Akuns and Mr Damiyal. It raises questions about the party's internal structure, the power of its national and state branches, and whether the groups can agree before the 2027 election.

For voters in Plateau, the key question is simple: Who will be the NDC’s governorship candidate? Right now, the answer is still unclear. The national leadership supports Mr Akuns, while the Plateau State chapter has chosen Mr Damiyal. The resolution of this issue will determine which candidate the party can officially present as its candidate as the 2027 governorship election approaches.