As a growing number of sitting governors abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition has struck a defiant posture — dismissing the exodus as symptomatic of greed, not ideological conviction, and vowing renewal ahead of 2027.
“Greed, Not Conviction,” Says PDP Spokesman
In a fiery television interview, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, accused the governors making the switch of pursuing personal aggrandizement rather than serving constituents.
“It’s nothing but avarice and opportunism,” he asserted, adding that many of the defectors are politicians nearing the end of their terms who see no future in sticking with the PDP.
“They abandon the platform that brought them recognition when it ceases to serve their personal interests.”
Abdullahi argued the surge of defections would not derail PDP’s core mission. Rather, he claimed, it would provide an opportunity to purge opportunistic elements ahead of the party’s national convention next month.
PDP Voices Concern, But Holds Its Ground
While the party concedes the defection wave is worrying, its leadership insists it is not paralyzed by it. National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba admitted the departures were concerning, but maintained the PDP’s “foundation” is strong — rooted in grassroots networks, ideology, and conviction.
Sources within the party say that the upcoming convention offers a chance to reset internal structures, realign stakeholders, and reassert discipline.
The strategy, insiders say, is to rebrand the PDP as a party of ideas and principles, not mere power brokers.
Notable Defections Stir the Pot
The defection wave has been led by high-stakes names:
* Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, cited that the PDP had “ignored the voice of his people” and said he joined the APC to better align with enunciated visions of governance.
* Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa, left along with 21 lawmakers, intensifying speculation of orchestrated political realignments.
* The defections also extended to entire state chapters — most notably, Delta State’s executive structure and legislature defecting en masse.
Political watchers see these moves as part of a coordinated push by the APC to consolidate dominance in regions formerly considered PDP strongholds.
Wike’s Barbs: “They Should Commend Me”
Added to the mix is Nyesom Wike, former PDP stalwart turned critic. He used the moment to mock defectors, saying those who once accused him of destabilizing the PDP now follow the very trajectory he charted.
Wike claimed he had “cleared the path” by pointing out the PDP’s internal contradictions.
His remarks underscore the internal fractures within the PDP, suggesting some defections may be less about outward allegiance than internal power struggles.
APC Onslaught: Bragging Rights and Political Tsunami
On the other side, the APC has wasted little time in celebrating the defections. President Bola Tinubu welcomed defectors — especially from Delta — calling their move a “political tsunami” and praising their courage to realign with the ruling party.
Also Read: Eight Security Officers Killed in Zamfara Bandit Attack
The APC’s narrative: the defections are proof of momentum and legitimacy, further weakening the opposition’s standing.
2027 In The Mix
What’s at play is more than party optics. For the PDP, the defections threaten its claim to be Nigeria’s principal opposition. For the defecting governors, the move is seen by many analysts as political hedging — aligning with the party controlling the federal purse strings ahead of the 2027 elections.
Still, the PDP leadership insists that the defections, though painful, are not fatal. The party is betting on its ability to reconstruct, galvanize loyal elements, and present a sharper alternative to what it calls a complacent APC.
Whether that gamble pays off will depend on its ability to translate rhetoric into electoral traction.
