The crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepened this week as more governors and top political figures continue to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further shrinking the PDP’s political stronghold.
This fresh wave of defections comes just days after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, raised the alarm over the party’s dwindling ranks. Mohammed expressed concern over the exodus of party leaders, warning that the trend could undermine the PDP’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of Wednesday, only eight governors remain under the PDP umbrella:
Adamawa – Ahmadu Fintiri (North-East)
Bauchi – Bala Mohammed (North-East)
Plateau – Caleb Mutfwang (North-Central)
Taraba – Agbu Kefas (North-Central)
Zamfara – Dauda Lawal (North-West)
Oyo – Seyi Makinde (South-West)
Rivers – Siminalayi Fubara (South-South)
Osun – Ademola Adeleke (South-West)
The recent defections have rattled the party leadership and intensified speculation that more governors may “enter the transfer market” before the political realignment window effectively closes in the run-up to 2027.
Analysts say internal rifts, unresolved zoning debates, and uncertainty over the PDP’s strategic direction have made it vulnerable to poaching by the APC. With defections now gaining momentum, party loyalists are urging immediate reconciliation efforts and structural reforms to prevent a full-scale collapse.
The PDP, which once dominated Nigeria’s political landscape for 16 consecutive years, is now fighting for relevance in a rapidly shifting political climate. Whether the remaining governors can hold the line—or follow their colleagues across party lines remains to be seen.
