NDC Faces Crisis Over Planned Guber Substitution Primary

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Plateau State is facing a significant internal crisis regarding plans to conduct a substitution primary on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to replace its governorship candidate, Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns. Akuns had emerged unopposed at the party's primary on May 29, 2026, after purchasing nomination forms for N30 million and passing the required screening.

However, he was suspended by the state leadership, including chairman Solomon Ndam and National Vice Chairman Barnabas Ejisi. Allegations arose that the leadership intended to trade the NDC governorship ticket, leading to the announcement of Ndam as a placeholder instead of Akuns.

The name of Alfred Dapal Damiyal, who previously contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, has been presented as a potential candidate. Concerns have been raised about Dapal's candidacy due to his prior participation in the PDP primary.

An emergency meeting was convened by Ndam and Ejisi to discuss the situation, which has caused unrest among party members questioning the need for a substitution primary.