Sani Yahaya Battles For NDC Ticket As Johnson Claims Winning Guber Primary

Controversy has engulfed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Taraba State following a disputed governorship primary that has left the party sharply divided ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Hon. Philip Johnson is being reported by some party elements to have emerged as the party’s governorship candidate after allegedly defeating former Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sani Yahaya, in a direct primary election.

However, the outcome of the exercise has been strongly rejected by Professor Yahaya, who has challenged the credibility of the process, triggering fresh tensions within the party.

Several party chieftains aligned with Yahaya have also faulted the reported declaration, calling on the national leadership of the NDC to urgently intervene to prevent a full-blown crisis.

They warned that failure to resolve the dispute could weaken the party’s structure and jeopardize its chances in Taraba State.

Amid the confusion, the NDC State Chairman, Charles Tiuda, declined to confirm any winner, insisting that only the party’s national leadership has the authority to make such an announcement.

“I am not in a position to declare the winner of the primary. That will be done at the national level of our party,” Tiuda said.

Further complicating the situation, a statement issued by Hon. Muhammed Ziya’uddeen Abubakar, the NDC State House of Assembly candidate for Jalingo One Constituency, dismissed reports declaring Johnson as the party’s flagbearer.

The statement described the publication as “false, misleading, and entirely unofficial,” stressing that it did not emanate from the authorized organs of the party.

According to him, the process of collation and verification of results remains the exclusive responsibility of the party’s designated structures, warning that no individual or group is authorized to announce the outcome.

He urged party members, supporters, and the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing confusion or tension.

“The official announcement of the results will be made in due course by the National Headquarters of our great party through its duly authorized channels,” the statement said.

The unfolding dispute has exposed deep cracks within the NDC as it struggles to consolidate its presence in Taraba’s political landscape.