The deepening crisis over the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship ticket in Plateau State could undermine the presidential ambition of the party’s candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections, a prominent community leader, Comrade Iliya Abdullahi, has warned.

Abdullahi alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was exploiting political divisions within opposition parties in the state to weaken their electoral prospects and improve its chances of retaining power.

He accused Governor Caleb Mutfwang and what he described as an entrenched Mwaghavul ethnic political bloc of allegedly designing an elaborate political arrangement to influence governorship nominations across major opposition parties, thereby limiting voters’ choices in the state.

The community leader, who spoke with senior journalists in Abuja, also alleged that prominent APC figures, including former governors and Senators Joshua Dariye and Simon Lalong, were involved in the political manoeuvring.

He expressed concern that the NDC and Obi had allowed themselves to be drawn into what he described as an undemocratic arrangement through the actions of the party’s Plateau State chairman, Solomon Yakubu Ndam.

Abdullahi argued that the controversy surrounding the NDC governorship ticket was particularly troubling because it could damage the credibility of the party and weaken Obi’s efforts to build a formidable national political platform.

However, a close associate of Obi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed suggestions that the former Anambra State governor was backing Alfred Ali Dapal for the NDC governorship ticket.

Dapal reportedly lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in May 2026.

The associate maintained that Obi did not interfere in the internal affairs of state chapters, citing similar developments in Akwa Ibom, Delta and his home state of Anambra, where the presidential candidate had refrained from direct intervention.

He said politicians sometimes exploited Obi’s name to advance personal interests and influence internal party decisions.

According to him, Obi believes that no political disagreement is beyond resolution through the rule of law and due process.

But Abdullahi faulted the NDC leadership for what he described as its inadequate public response to the controversy, insisting that the party had failed to demonstrate sufficient commitment to due process.

He particularly questioned the alleged attempt to deny Da Jonathan Akuns, whom he described as the party’s duly nominated candidate, his unopposed right to the governorship ticket.

According to him, the situation has generated unnecessary speculation about possible complicity within the party’s leadership.

“Peter Obi should know that the assurances by APC leaders in Plateau State to support his presidential election in exchange for NDC support for APC in the governorship is a fat lie and a calculated scheme to deceive,” he said.

Abdullahi questioned why a party seeking to rescue Nigeria would sacrifice its governorship candidate for someone he alleged was not recognised within its membership structure.

He also challenged the circumstances surrounding the emergence of competing candidates, particularly reports that certificates of return had been issued to two individuals.

He argued that the NDC National Working Committee (NWC) was responsible for conducting governorship primaries, questioning why the party appeared to be applying different standards in Plateau State.

The community leader warned that the controversy could discourage voters and trigger widespread apathy, potentially benefiting the APC in the 2027 governorship election.

He further alleged that powerful political interests in the state were seeking to consolidate the influence of the Mwaghavul ethnic group by frustrating the emergence of credible opposition candidates.

According to him, the APC operates what he described as a tacit governorship franchise across six political platforms in the state, while a seventh is allegedly being coordinated through a rainbow coalition involving the PDP.

Abdullahi claimed that Dapal’s emergence in the NDC controversy was intended to distract from Akuns and weaken his chances of securing the party’s governorship ticket.

He argued that Akuns and Kefas belonged to major ethnic constituencies in Plateau Central Senatorial District, adding that the PDP governorship ticket was already allegedly aligned with the APC-backed political arrangement.

He further alleged that Dapal neither purchased the NDC governorship nomination forms nor underwent screening or participated in the party’s governorship primary.

Despite this, he claimed that efforts were being made to displace Akuns through legal proceedings.

“While NDC and Peter Obi are sleepwalking through this well-oiled conspiracy, the ruling party rejoices in the assured possibility of a smooth re-election in the 2027 election,” he said.

The crisis in the Plateau NDC chapter has continued to generate controversy following allegations that Ndam constituted himself as a rival authority to the party’s NWC and conducted a parallel substitution primary.

Beyond the immediate dispute over the governorship ticket, the controversy presents a political test for Obi and the NDC leadership as they seek to establish the party as a credible opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

How the national leadership handles the dispute, particularly its commitment to transparent nomination procedures and internal party democracy, could shape the confidence of party members and supporters in Plateau State and beyond.