That time has come for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State.
The recent political conduct and posture associated with Chief Raymond Dabo, popularly known as Uncle Ray, can no longer be treated with silence, diplomatic niceties or political pretence.
The PDP on the Plateau is too important, too historic and too deeply rooted in the sacrifices of its founding fathers to be treated as a political commodity to be traded, manipulated or controlled to satisfy the ambitions of individuals and external interests.
Uncle Ray must understand one fundamental truth: the PDP is bigger than him.
It was there before many of today's political actors arrived, and it will remain long after they have left the political stage.
UNCLE RAY, THIS IS NOT ABOUT CRIMINALITY—IT IS ABOUT CHARACTER
Let it be clearly understood: nobody is accusing Chief Raymond Dabo of theft or any criminal offence requiring the intervention of the EFCC, ICPC, Police or DSS.
This is not a criminal trial.
This is a question of political morality, leadership responsibility and personal integrity.
And these are matters that every serious political leader must be prepared to answer before the people.
Leadership is not just about titles, appointments, influence and access to power. Leadership is about the example one leaves behind.
There is a generation watching.
Young members of the PDP are watching how elders conduct themselves. They are watching whether political loyalty can be exchanged for convenience. They are watching whether party institutions can be weakened whenever powerful individuals find it politically convenient.
What lessons are we teaching them?
That principle should disappear when personal interest appears?
That party loyalty should be sacrificed when power changes direction?
That institutions should become subordinate to individuals?
No. That must never become the political culture of the PDP in Plateau State.
A LEGACY SHOULD NOT BE DESTROYED FOR POLITICAL CONVENIENCE
Chief Raymond Dabo has a history within the PDP. Nobody can erase that.
He has enjoyed recognition, influence and political relevance within a party whose foundation was built through the sacrifices of countless leaders and faithful members.
That is precisely why the present concerns are so serious.
Those who have benefited from the goodwill of an institution should be among its strongest defenders—not among those whose actions create doubts about its independence and future.
The PDP is not a family estate.
It is not a private political company.
It is not an extension of anybody's personal ambition.
And it certainly must not become a surrogate political structure for interests outside the party.
The people of Plateau State are watching.
Party members are watching.
History is watching.
THE FELICIA DABO APPOINTMENT AND THE QUESTION NOBODY SHOULD RUN FROM
While congratulations are extended to Mrs. Felicia Raymond Dabo, sincere questions must still be asked.
Is she the only qualified person within the broad political family?
Are there no other committed PDP members, loyal supporters, women and families who have laboured for the party and deserve similar consideration?
These are legitimate political questions.
And legitimate questions must not be treated as acts of rebellion.
The PDP was built on collective sacrifice. It was never meant to become a system where opportunities appear to circulate around a narrow political circle while thousands of loyal party members remain on the sidelines.
If fairness and inclusiveness are no longer important, then the party must honestly ask itself: what exactly are we defending?
The PDP cannot preach collective participation while practising political exclusiveness.
GOVERNOR MUTFWANG HAS MADE HIS CHOICE—THE PDP MUST MAKE ITS OWN
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has the constitutional right to choose his political party.
Nobody can take that right away from him.
But political choices have consequences.
When a political leader leaves one party for another, he has made a decision about his political direction.
That decision must be respected.
However, what must not be accepted is any attempt to maintain influence over, control or remotely operate the PDP through individuals or structures that appear to be acting as political proxies.
Let us be clear:
The PDP is not an annex of the APC.
The PDP is not a waiting room for politicians who have chosen another political destination.
And the PDP must not be transformed into a political spare tyre to be used whenever it becomes convenient.
Those who have chosen another political platform should concentrate on building that platform.
The PDP belongs to those committed to rebuilding it.
SHOW US THE LEGITIMACY—DON'T JUST SHOUT IT
One of the greatest problems in the current political debate is the reckless tendency to declare legitimacy without presenting the evidence.
Let those making claims of leadership come forward with verifiable proof.
Let them show the recognised structures.
Let them demonstrate their legitimacy through the appropriate institutional and legal channels.
Legitimacy is not a slogan.
It is not something that can be manufactured through press statements, social media propaganda or political intimidation.
Legitimacy must be rooted in due process, recognised structures and the constitution of the party.
The PDP is governed by rules.
Nobody is above those rules.
No political godfather, no former office holder and no influential individual can wake up and declare himself bigger than the constitution of the party.
Where a structure has been dissolved in accordance with party guidelines and due process, those decisions must be respected.
The era of political self-coronation must end.
THE PDP CANNOT BE HIJACKED
The PDP in Plateau State belongs to its members—not to a handful of individuals.
It cannot be hijacked.
It cannot be auctioned.
And it cannot be surrendered to external political interests.
The party has survived difficult times because ordinary members stood firm when powerful individuals abandoned ship.
That is why the sacrifices of the faithful must never be taken for granted.
The legacy of the late Chief Solomon Lar and other great leaders who built the PDP must not be reduced to a bargaining chip in today's political marketplace.
Those who built the party did not sacrifice their time, energy and resources for it to become a vehicle for personal political transactions.
ENOUGH OF THE POLITICAL DOUBLE GAME
The time has come to speak plainly.
There can be no meaningful rebuilding of the PDP where individuals attempt to play political double games.
You cannot claim to belong to one political family while working to weaken it for the benefit of another.
You cannot abandon the party politically and then seek to determine who controls it.
You cannot undermine its structures and still demand to be treated as its unquestionable authority.
The PDP must choose principle over convenience.
Those who genuinely believe in the party must stand openly with the party.
Those who have chosen another political direction are entitled to do so.
But they must also allow the PDP to breathe, organise and rebuild without interference.
TO THOSE FOLLOWING BLINDLY: WAKE UP
To those who are following political arrangements without asking critical questions, this is the time for reflection.
Do not allow yourselves to become instruments in political games you do not fully understand.
Do not surrender your political future to individuals whose interests may change tomorrow.
Political promises come and go.
Appointments come and go.
Power changes hands.
But your name, your integrity and your political history remain with you.
Think carefully before allowing yourselves to be used to weaken a party that has given many of you political identity and relevance.
As the saying goes, make hay while the sun shines—but do not lose your political conscience while chasing temporary opportunities.
KEFFIANO REMAINS OUR GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE
Let there be no ambiguity.
Let there be no confusion.
Keffiano remains our governorship candidate.
Those attempting to create confusion through parallel claims, political manoeuvres and competing narratives should understand that the future of the PDP cannot be determined through intimidation or personal influence.
The party must move forward based on its recognised structures, constitution and collective decisions.
THE FINAL WORD TO UNCLE RAY
Uncle Ray, humility remains one of the greatest virtues in leadership.
Political power is temporary.
Appointments are temporary.
Influence is temporary.
But history is permanent.
The question is not how powerful anyone appears today.
The real question is: what will history say tomorrow?
Will it say that you helped protect and strengthen the PDP when it needed its elders most?
Or will it say that you stood on the wrong side of history when the integrity and independence of the party were under threat?
This is the time for reflection.
This is the time for humility.
And this is the time to place the larger interest of the PDP above personal political calculations.
The PDP in Plateau State is not for sale.
It is not a private estate.
It is not a surrogate.
And it must never be surrendered to the ambitions of individuals or interests outside its legitimate structure.
The party belongs to its faithful members.
And Plateau PDP must be rebuilt, protected and defended—without fear, without compromise and without apology.
Dr. Samaila Achigak A. Rukuba
SPS, Plateau PDP
September 4, 2026
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