Plateau PDP rival factions produce parallel gov’ship candidates

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has deepened following the emergence of parallel governorship candidates from rival factions of the party, raising concerns about the party’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
The latest development occurred when the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki , presented a Certificate of Return to Sunday Garba Biggs as its governorship candidate for Plateau State.
The presentation came barely a day after the rival faction aligned with had also unveiled and presented a Certificate of Return to its preferred candidate, creating a situation in which two individuals now claim the PDP governorship ticket in the state.
Biggs received the certificate during a gathering of the faction’s National Working Committee, attended by party elders, state chairmen, Board of Trustees members, governorship candidates and other stakeholders from across the country.
In his remarks, Biggs described the certificate as a vote of confidence in his leadership credentials and pledged to lead the party’s campaign with a focus on good governance, peace and sustainable development.
Supporters at the event portrayed him as a unifying figure capable of advancing the aspirations of Plateau residents.
However, the emergence of parallel candidates has heightened fears that the PDP may once again become entangled in legal and procedural disputes similar to those that affected the party after the 2023 elections.
Political observers note that unresolved internal conflicts and competing claims to party leadership could complicate the nomination process and potentially expose the party to fresh legal challenges if not resolved before the electoral season intensifies.
The latest dispute underscores the broader leadership struggle within the PDP nationally, where rival camps continue to battle for control of party structures and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With competing Certificates of Return already being issued in several states, attention is increasingly turning to electoral authorities and the courts to determine which faction ultimately has the authority to nominate candidates on behalf of the party.