Plateau NDC Crisis: Reps Aspirant David Dama Alleges Illegal Candidate Imposition

June 26, 2026 3 min read

A political storm has erupted within Plateau State's National Democratic Congress after David Dama, a prominent House of Representatives aspirant, publicly accused party leaders of imposing a candidate without proper consultation. The dispute has fractured the party's local structure and threatens to undermine its electoral prospects in the region ahead of upcoming polls.

Aspirant Breaks Ranks with Party Leadership

David Dama, who has been actively campaigning for the party's nomination in the Plateau South constituency, announced his allegations during a press conference held in Jos on Monday. Dama stated that party officials had secretly finalised a candidate list without allowing aspiring candidates to participate in any transparent selection process.

The move has left dozens of loyal party members feeling betrayed, Dama told reporters gathered outside the state party secretariat. He called the imposition a direct violation of the party's constitution and demanded an immediate reversal of the decision.

Party Officials Respond to the Accusations

The Plateau NDC leadership has rejected Dama's claims, with the state party chairman dismissing the allegations as the work of a disgruntled aspirant seeking attention. In a statement released to local media, the party maintained that all candidate selection processes had followed established procedures.

However, the chairman's office declined to provide specific documentation or timeline details when contacted by journalists on Tuesday afternoon. Several party elders who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed concern that the internal dispute could damage the party's reputation in the build-up to the elections.

Grassroots Members Caught in the Middle

Party loyalists at the ward level say they have received conflicting messages from different factions within the leadership. Some members in Bassa and Jos South local government areas reported confusion over which candidate they should officially support.

The uncertainty has disrupted campaign operations that were already underway. Ward coordinators told reporters they had been actively mobilising supporters for months, only to find themselves suddenly unable to clarify their party's official position.

Electoral Implications for the Region

Political analysts watching the situation warn that internal conflicts could provide an opening for opposition parties. Plateau has been a key battleground state in recent elections, and voter enthusiasm for the NDC depends partly on perceptions of internal democracy within the party structure.

The timing of the crisis is particularly problematic. With candidate nomination deadlines approaching, the party now faces pressure to resolve its internal dispute quickly or risk fielding a fragmented slate that could alienate core supporters.

Dama Threatens Legal Action

Beyond his public accusations, Dama has indicated he may pursue legal remedies if the party does not reconsider its candidate selection process. His legal team has reportedly begun reviewing party statutes and electoral regulations to identify potential grounds for challenging the imposition.

Speaking to supporters on Wednesday, Dama warned that he would not accept any outcome that disregarded the rights of party members to participate in candidate selection. He added that his fight was not about personal ambition but about protecting democratic principles within the NDC.

What Comes Next for Plateau NDC

The national leadership of the party may need to intervene to prevent a complete breakdown in Plateau. Senior officials in Abuja are reportedly monitoring the situation, though no formal statement has been issued from the party's headquarters.

Party sources suggest an emergency meeting of state executives could be convened within the next two weeks to address the mounting pressure from multiple factions. Whether such a meeting can produce a compromise acceptable to all parties remains uncertain.

Observers say the next few days will be critical. If Dama proceeds with legal action, the party could face court injunctions that freeze its candidate list. Voters in Plateau should watch for announcements from both the party and the aspirant regarding next steps in this escalating dispute.