Ex-Gov Jonah Jang says Plateau remains PDP stronghold, rejects Wike-led faction congress, and affirms Raymond Dabo as authentic chairman
Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang, on Monday, 24 March 2026, declared that Plateau State remains firmly under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while dismissing a factional congress reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in what has intensified the Plateau PDP crisis Jang Wike faction dispute.
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Jang, who is a key leader of the PDP in Plateau State, insisted that Chief Raymond Dabo remains the authentic and duly recognised state chairman of the party following the October 2025 congress held by a separate faction loyal to Tanimu Turaki.
He described the rival congress, where Peter Tongshep was reportedly elected as chairman, as illegitimate and a “kangaroo congress,” arguing that it holds no legal or political validity.
The Plateau PDP crisis Jang Wike faction disagreement stems from competing state-level congresses conducted by rival groups within the party, deepening internal tensions over leadership and control of the state structure.
Jang condemned the faction aligned with Wike, accusing them of acting outside party rules and collaborating with external forces to destabilise the PDP in the state.
He maintained that the existing State Working Committee was properly elected during a congress monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and therefore remains the only legitimate leadership body.
According to him, there is no constitutional basis for another congress, adding that all actions taken by the rival faction are null and void.
The former governor also acknowledged ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party at the national level, expressing optimism that internal disputes would eventually be resolved.
Jang urged party members in Plateau State to remain united and focused, while calling on those involved in factional activities to desist from actions capable of further deepening divisions within the party.
He reaffirmed that PDP remains the dominant political force in Plateau State, insisting that “Plateau is PDP and PDP is Plateau.”
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The development adds to the broader PDP internal crisis playing out across several states ahead of future political realignments.
