As political activities quietly pick up across Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general elections, three political parties?the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), and a coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC)?are jostling for influence, claiming growing membership and popular support across the state.

While the PDP and APC have long dominated Plateau?s political space, the emergence of the ADC?particularly through a new coalition initiative?is stirring debate about the possibility of a three-horse race in 2027. Political observers are split: some dismiss ADC?s prospects as weak without grassroots structures and recognised leaders, while others believe the party could mount a meaningful challenge if it puts its house in order.

So far, the only high-profile figure backing ADC in Plateau is Solomon Dalung, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, whose alignment with the coalition has sparked public interest. Still, many analysts argue that for ADC to make a credible impact, it must recruit trusted and popular figures to lead its statewide mobilisation.

Many observers have drawn parallels with the Labour Party?s (LP) performance in the 2023 presidential election. LP presidential candidate Peter Obi won the state with 466,272 votes, outperforming APC?s Bola Tinubu and PDP?s Atiku Abubakar. Obi secured victory in 11 of the 17 local government areas, signalling a shift in voter sentiment, particularly among youths and urban dwellers.

Although LP did not replicate this momentum in the governorship election?where its candidate, Patrick Dakum, placed third with 60,310 votes?its earlier success revealed an openness among Plateau voters to third-party alternatives. This has emboldened parties like ADC, which now see an opening to challenge the traditional PDP-APC binary.

Several analysts observed that the Labour Party?s performance in 2023 showed that voters are willing to look beyond old structures, adding that if ADC can learn from LP?s early mobilisation and build a strong coalition, they may gain unexpected ground.

But with the PDP back in the saddle since losing out on the state in 2015 to the APC, it currently controls the governorship under Caleb Mutfwang, with commissioners, advisers, and elected officials across the state. Analysts say this gives the party leverage to consolidate ahead of 2027.

APC, though in opposition, maintains a formidable structure with senators, House of Representatives members, state lawmakers, and a federal minister. The party has also recently welcomed key defectors from PDP, including former Governor Joshua Dariye, former Senator Victor Lar, and Senator I.D. Gyang, strengthening its ranks.

Political pundits argue that defections from the PDP have given the APC new momentum. They also note that high-profile politicians in both APC and PDP are unlikely to defect to ADC (Daily Trust)

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