PDP Remains Stable in Plateau Despite Defections- Chieftain

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Kefas Ropshak (Kefiano), has maintained that the party remains stable, intact, and resolute despite recent defections of some members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ropshak spoke to journalists in Jos yesterday during a strategic meeting of PDP stakeholders, convened to strengthen party morale amid political realignments in the state.

He attributed the wave of defections to the governor’s recent move to the APC but stressed that the development has not weakened the PDP’s grassroots strength.

“About 95 per cent of those defecting on the Plateau are political appointees and office holders. This is normal in politics and does not reflect the will of the people,” he said.

According to him, issues surrounding the national PDP were being orchestrated by individuals who had already been expelled from the party, insisting that the situation posed no threat to the party’s unity in Plateau State.

The party Chieftain described the PDP as deeply rooted among the people of the state, noting that the party’s resilience was evident in previous elections.

“PDP is Plateau and Plateau is PDP. The people of Plateau are resolute. In the last election, they defeated an incumbent government, and they will do so again,” he stated.

He recalled that although the PDP candidates won the last election, their mandate were later lost through the courts, a development he described as a stolen mandate. He further expressed concern that the governor returned to the same party he accused of benefiting from that judicial outcome.

Dismissing rumours of possible result manipulation in future elections, Ropshak said the political awareness of Plateau voters would prevent any attempt to subvert the will of the people.

“The last time, people slept at collation and collection centres to ensure the results were announced. That level of vigilance and resilience will be repeated,” he added.

On his political ambition, Kefiano openly declared his intention to contest the Plateau Central Senatorial seat on the PDP platform, reaffirming his loyalty to the party despite ongoing defections.

“I am contesting for the Plateau Central senatorial seat, and I remain in the PDP. Even if I am the last person, I will stay until others return,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that he was sponsored by former Governor Simon Lalong during the last governorship election, describing such allegations as false. He noted that he contested the election independently and finished second.

According to him Plateau State has one of the most politically conscious electorates in the country, adding that the educated population understands its interests and cannot be easily misled.

Despite admitting that remaining in the PDP might affect his business interests, he said integrity and commitment to democratic values outweighed the benefits of defecting for personal gain.

He expressed confidence that internal challenges within the APC, particularly during party primaries, would compel many defectors to return to the PDP, insisting that the party would ultimately “carry the day” in Plateau State.