By Chuwang Dungs, Jos
January 10, 2026
Barely a week after Governor Caleb Mutfwang defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has reaffirmed its influence and pledged unity, warning against a drift toward one-party rule in Nigeria.
The call came on Friday during a stakeholders’ engagement at the PDP state secretariat in Jos, where party leaders, local government chairmen, and senior members of its Board of Trustees—including former governor and ex-senator Jonah Jang, former ambassador and minister Bagudu Hirse, and Gabriel Lombin—met to discuss internal cohesion, democratic accountability, and strategies to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Jang, a founding figure of the PDP, said democracy cannot thrive without strong and competitive political parties. He warned that defections weaken political institutions and concentrate power in ways that threaten governance.
“Nigeria is the only country I know where someone is elected on the platform of one party and carries that party’s mandate to another party. That mandate does not belong to the individual. It belongs to the party and the people,” he said.
Mr. Jang traced the PDP’s origins to the struggle against military rule, citing the contributions of the G-18 and G-34 groups that challenged the Abacha regime and laid the foundation for the country’s return to democracy.
“The PDP is the only political party in Nigeria that was not formed through a merger. If you go to any village in this country, you will hear the name PDP. Other parties are makeshift arrangements,” he said.
Despite defections, he insisted that the PDP remains relevant. “There will be no carcass of PDP. The carcasses will belong to other parties,” he added, noting that any move toward a one-party state would undermine decades of democratic sacrifices.
Echoing Mr. Jang, PDP chieftain Bagudu Hirse said internal challenges stem from the selfish interests of a few individuals rather than structural weaknesses.
“Every political party faces internal challenges. What we are witnessing in the PDP today is not unique. Other parties are yet to face theirs. Plateau is a PDP state. Unity is our only path to recovery,” he said.
Local government chairmen reaffirmed loyalty to the party and pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation, expressing confidence that the PDP remains deeply rooted in Plateau despite defections.
Plateau PDP chairman Raymond Dabo described the engagement as timely and strategic. He thanked party elders for their guidance and acknowledged internal weaknesses, including weak cohesion, poor communication between leadership and grassroots members, and limited inclusion of women, youths, and persons living with disabilities.
The party resolved to sustain reconciliation efforts, improve internal communication, enhance leadership accountability, and adopt measures to ensure active participation of marginalised groups.
In a communiqué signed by the state publicity secretary, Felix Choji, dated January 9, 2026, the PDP expressed confidence that its challenges are temporary and reaffirmed its commitment to defending democratic values and multiparty politics in Plateau State and Nigeria.
