The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing what many describe as its worst political crisis since its formation.
Following a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the once-dominant opposition party now appears deeply weakened, struggling to hold its members together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Analysts say the party has not faced such internal collapse since 2013, when five governors led by then Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi defected to the APC — a move that contributed to the PDP’s defeat in the 2015 presidential election.
Four governors dump PDP for APC in 2025
The latest crisis began in April when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several top PDP members in the state defected to the APC. The announcement followed a six-hour meeting in Asaba, led by Senator James Manager.
In June, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno also dumped the PDP, citing the need to align with the federal government. At a town hall meeting in Ikot Abasi, Eno said his decision was based on “interpreting the times” — suggesting it was politically strategic to join the ruling party.
Two more defections followed this week. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah said he left the PDP because “the voice of his people was not recognised,” while Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri defected a day later alongside the state’s House Speaker and lawmakers.
Observers say these moves have left the PDP in disarray, with fears that more defections may follow.
Zoning dispute blamed for PDP’s decline
Katchy Ononuju, former aide to Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, blamed the PDP’s crisis on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s refusal to respect zoning during the 2023 presidential primaries.
“The PDP is paying the price for not respecting zoning. If Atiku had stepped aside, the party might have been in power today,” Ononuju told Daily Post.
He, however, expressed optimism that the party could recover if it remains united and follows its new zoning arrangement favouring the South.
Defections don’t guarantee electoral victory – Analysts
Ononuju and other analysts argued that governors’ defections do not necessarily translate to electoral success for the ruling party.
“You cannot capture a state with defections. Governors don’t always decide presidential outcomes,” Ononuju said, citing Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, where the APC lost despite controlling both.
Atiku’s camp: PDP was the problem, not Atiku
Reacting to the situation, Atiku’s spokesperson Paul Ibe said the defections prove his principal was never the cause of the PDP’s troubles.
“They thought Atiku was the problem. Now he’s gone, and the crisis remains. The insect that destroys the vegetable is inside it,” Ibe said.
PDP will survive despite defections – AA Chairman
Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), said despite the challenges, the PDP will survive as a corporate entity.
“It’s unfortunate that the wave of defections is hitting them hard, but the party will remain. Those truly committed to its ideals will stay and rebuild it,” Udeze said.
He described defectors as politicians “without balls,” urging Nigerians to support smaller emerging parties like AA that have “built consistent structures since 2005.”
Defections reflect lack of ideology – Arewa leader
Former Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, said the defections show that Nigerian politicians lack ideology or principle.
“The defections are proof that most politicians are driven by self-interest, not ideology. They follow whichever party they believe will win,” Sani said.
He predicted that the PDP would survive but likely split into factions ahead of 2027, similar to what happened during the 2023 elections.
Currently, the PDP controls only eight states — Adamawa, Rivers, Plateau, Osun, Bauchi, Oyo, Taraba, and Zamfara — its weakest standing since 1999.
