 has been reduced to just seven governors following the defection of Enugu State){kind=link}
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been reduced to just seven governors following the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The departures further weaken the opposition party, which had controlled 11 states after the 2023 elections.
With the recent moves, the APC now governs 26 states, while the PDP holds onto seven.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each control one state, Anambra, and Kano, respectively.
Governor Mbah announced his defection on Tuesday, describing it as part of a “strategic alignment” to enhance cooperation with the Federal Government for the development of Enugu.
His decision reportedly involved his cabinet members, state lawmakers, and most local government chairmen, and was welcomed by APC leaders.
Barely 24 hours later, Governor Diri confirmed his exit from the PDP in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons.”
He was joined by 19 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, several commissioners, and local government chairmen.
As of Wednesday, the remaining PDP governors are: Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers). Some of them, including Taraba’s Kefas, have been linked to defection rumours, though none has been confirmed.
The recent wave of defections comes days after PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed concern over the increasing number of governors and senior party figures joining the APC.
Speaking in Abuja after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Mohammed admitted the trend had unsettled the party but said efforts were ongoing to maintain unity ahead of the November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.
He said, “If you ask me whether I am concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.”