Former Plateau State Governor and prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Jonah David Jang, has issued a strong warning against Nigeria moving toward a one-party system, stressing that such a situation would endanger the nation’s democratic framework.
Jang voiced his concern during a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Plateau State, addressing the fallout from Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“God forbid that Nigeria ever turns into a one-party state. By God’s grace, it will not happen. We must rise to safeguard our democracy. We cannot afford to fail this country,” Jang declared.
He emphasized the importance of preserving and reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic institutions, noting that the political structure must not be allowed to collapse due to unregulated political defections.
The former governor criticized the Nigerian political system for enabling elected officials to switch parties indiscriminately, arguing that such behavior undermines democratic progress.
According to Jang, electoral mandates are issued to political parties rather than individuals.
“I have never seen the name of any individual printed on a ballot paper. What is written there is the name of a political party. It is the party that wins elections, not one person,” he stated.
He further argued that Nigeria appears to be the only country where an elected office holder leaves the party that provided the mandate and transfers that mandate to another party, describing the practice as undemocratic.
Jang also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of meddling in the internal processes of the PDP, asserting that the commission lacks the constitutional authority to interfere in party affairs.
“The PDP has not been deregistered, so INEC has no power to stop any PDP candidate from contesting. That is not within their jurisdiction,” he said.
“Their duty is to conduct elections properly. The courts must also refrain from getting involved in matters that pertain to internal party management.”
Addressing Governor Mutfwang’s defection directly, Jang maintained that the governor should step down and seek a new mandate under his new political platform.
“I don’t understand where the notion comes from that someone can take a party’s mandate and simply transfer it elsewhere while offering various excuses,” he said.
“You should resign first, call for a fresh election, and then contest under your new party. That is what true democracy demands.”
Jang insisted that Mutfwang rose to power through the PDP and therefore could not transfer the party’s collective mandate elsewhere.
“Caleb Mutfwang remains the governor of Plateau State because we put him there. Before he contemplates leaving us behind, he must complete his tenure with the PDP. He cannot move our mandate,” he said.
“We worked, campaigned, and voted for him. The Government House he occupies was built under a PDP administration.”
He concluded by urging PDP members to stay united and resolute, assuring them that the party would engage its national founding leaders to address what he described as increasing threats to Nigeria’s democratic stability.
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