Yakubu Busari
It’s a political leadership tussle in Plateau Peoples Democratic Party, PDP , as months after the Nyesom Wike-led faction announced,Hon. Kefiano Ropshak Kefas, as the PDP flag bearer in the state.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has presented Sunday Biggs as the party’s governorship candidate for Plateau State race.
The faction loyal to Mr Wike unveiled Mr Kefiano Ropshak in a communiqué made available to our correspondent , where Certificates of Return were presented to candidates from different states.
Party leaders under Wike used the occasion to emphasise loyalty and commitment among aspirants, warning against defections after securing party nominations.
The statement read, that PDP , declared that candidates would be required to sign binding undertakings before their names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it,” he said, stressing that future candidates would be held accountable through strict agreements designed to safeguard the party’s interests.
Also speaking, the PDP led by Wike , described the exercise as part of efforts to position the party for future electoral contests.
“We are ready to go into the elections prepared with our candidates,” he stated.
One of the group leader Hon Abdullahi Musa, who spoke on behalf of the PDP State Youth Vanguard for Good Governance , commended the party leadership Wike for sustaining the PDP despite the challenges confronting it.
However, in a parallel political drama, another faction convened a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and inauguration ceremony in Plateau, Abuja, where Kefiano Ropshak was officially presented.
The gathering, presided over by the factional national chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, also drew party leaders and stakeholders from across the country.
During the event, Certificates of Return were presented to candidates whose nominations the faction claimed had been recognised and published by INEC.
Mr Ropshak endorsement by the rival group has further complicated the battle for control of the PDP structure in Plateau State, leaving the party with two prominent figures laying claim to its governorship ticket.
With the countdown to the 2027 elections already underway, the deepening crisis threatens to weaken the PDP’s chances of mounting a strong challenge in Plateau unless a political settlement is reached.
Meanwhile, the Plateau faction disowned Sunday Biggs by recognizing the sole candidate of KEFIANO ROPSHAK as the flag bearer of PDP in the forthcoming general elections.
A group of party faithful promised to work for the victory of Hon Kefas, who has the capacity to govern the State and promote good governance, as they asked the people not to be deceived because the issue of this is just to distract the State by the opposition.
