Due to suspected anti-party behavior, the Southern Zone Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Hon. Mankup Peter Tongshep, has been suspended for one month.
According to reports, the party’s State Working Committee announced the suspension, which goes into force immediately, in a statement released in Jos on Thursday.
The party claimed that the action was in accordance with Section 57(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) in a statement signed by Hon. Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary.
After a preliminary hearing, the party claimed violations under Sections 58(1)(i) and (j).
The statement claims that Tongshep has been prohibited from carrying out his responsibilities as Southern Zone Vice Chairman while he is suspended.
The party also said that its State Disciplinary Committee has been tasked with looking into the situation further and making suggestions.
It claimed that this was compliant with the party’s constitution’s Section 57(3).
The Plateau PDP emphasized that no member is above the party while reiterating its dedication to discipline and respect for the law.
The event occurs in the midst of a growing crisis inside the PDP’s Plateau chapter, which is marked by the formation of competing leadership structures.
Tongshep was chosen as the state chairman at a previous parallel congress held in Jos by a group allegedly associated with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
However, the acknowledged leadership of the party disapproved of the congress’s decision.
In a similar event, Hon. Damishi Sango, a party founding member, backed the parallel congress, arguing that it was essential to the PDP’s continued existence in the state.
Tongshep and 38 other executive members emerged from the exercise, which Sango described as peaceful.
“The person who declares the baby must not die is the true mother. He declared, “I am among those who do not want the PDP to die.”
He described Chief Raymond Dabo’s competing faction as unlawful and insisted that the executives produced by his group reflect the party’s true leadership.
Despite their differences, Sango claimed to have no personal animosity toward Dabo, whom he referred to as a longtime ally.
In order to reposition the PDP in advance of the general elections in 2027, he urged party members to put aside their disagreements.
The Plateau PDP is severely split as a result of the continuing crisis, with opposing groups vying for control of the party’s state leadership.
