Since the 2023 general elections, the ranks of serving governors under the PDP banner have steadily thinned, as several decided to leave the party — citing internal crises, political realignment, and strategic calculations — reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
Among the first significant defections was Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, who publicly dumped the PDP in early June 2025 and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Eno framed his decision as necessary for aligning his state with the centre for development and stability.
In April 2025, another former PDP stronghold — Delta State — experienced a political earthquake when its governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, defected to APC. The move was accompanied by the wholesale exit of the state’s PDP leadership, including the legislature and local government chairmen, marking the end of decades of PDP dominance there.
Also leaving the PDP fold was Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who in October 2025 officially joined APC. His decision came amid warnings of a broader shift in the South-East, as leaders sought a strategic realignment with the federal government.
Shortly after, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State resigned from the PDP in October 2025, adding to the exodus. His resignation was followed by mass defections from state lawmakers, commissioners, and local government chairmen — signalling a near-total collapse of the PDP’s structure in the state.
In a fresh blow, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State — a governor whose 2022 election victory had revived PDP’s hopes in the South-West — formally resigned from the party in early December 2025. He cited a persistent leadership crisis at the national level as the primary reason for his departure.
Collectively, these defections have considerably weakened PDP’s position in regional and national politics. Once governing many states, the party’s footprint is now limited, with fewer states under its control. Analysts warn that this trend not only undermines internal party cohesion, but also risks eroding voter trust — especially in regions where electorate expectations were tied to PDP’s governance track record.
The cascading departures underscore deeper structural challenges within PDP: infighting, leadership crises, and a perceived disconnect with the ruling federal administration. For many governors, aligning with the centre offers better prospects for delivering on development promises. For the PDP, this period marks a moment of existential reckoning — prompting urgent calls for internal reform, renewal of leadership, and redefinition of its ideals if it hopes to remain a viable opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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