The Peoples Democratic Party has been left with only seven governors following the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The latest defections have further weakened the opposition party, which had controlled 11 states after the 2023 elections.
With the recent developments, the APC now holds 26 states, while the PDP controls seven.
The Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance and New Nigeria Peoples Party govern one state each — Lagos, Anambra, and Kano, respectively.
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Mbah announced his defection on Tuesday, saying it was part of a “strategic alignment” aimed at ensuring closer cooperation with the Federal Government for the development of Enugu.
His move, which included his cabinet members, state lawmakers and most local government chairmen, was immediately welcomed by the APC leadership.
Barely 24 hours later, Diri confirmed his exit from the PDP in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons”.Related News
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He was reportedly joined by 19 members of the state House of Assembly, several commissioners and local government chairmen.
THE SEVEN PDP GOVERNORS REMAINING
As of Wednesday, the governors still in the PDP are:
- 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)
Some of the governors, including Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, have been the subject of defection rumours, though none has been confirmed.
The fresh wave of defections comes just days after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed concern over the growing number of governors and senior party figures crossing to the APC.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Mohammed admitted that the defections had unsettled the party, though he said efforts were ongoing to keep it united 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.”
