PDP Down To Seven Governors As Defections Hit Enugu, Bayelsa

The Peoples Democratic Party has been reduced to seven governors following the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

These latest defections have further weakened the opposition party, which had control of 11 states after the 2023 general elections.

With the new development, the APC now governs 26 states, while the PDP holds seven.

The Labour Party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party each control one state—Lagos, Anambra, and Kano, respectively.

Mbah announced his defection on Tuesday, describing it as part of a “strategic alignment” intended to strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government for the progress of Enugu.

His defection, which also involved his cabinet members, state lawmakers, and most local government chairmen, was immediately embraced by the APC leadership.

Less than 24 hours later, Diri confirmed his resignation from the PDP in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons”.

He was reportedly accompanied by 19 members of the state House of Assembly, several commissioners, and local government chairmen.

THE SEVEN PDP GOVERNORS REMAINING

As of Wednesday, the PDP governors still in office 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 these governors, including Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, have been the subject of defection speculation, though none has been officially confirmed.

The latest wave of defections follows shortly after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, voiced his concern about the growing trend of governors and senior party members defecting to the APC.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Mohammed acknowledged that the defections had unsettled the party, but assured that internal efforts were underway to keep the PDP 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.”