ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a fresh wave of exits as two of its prominent governors, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, are reportedly set to dump the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections .
According to a credible source within the party who spoke said , Governor Bala Mohammed is on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, has concluded plans to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) . The moves are expected to be concluded before April, as politicians race against the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) deadline for party primaries .
This development comes after months of protracted leadership tussles and defections that have weakened the PDP. Since the 2023 general elections, no fewer than nine PDP governors have left the party, citing an irreconcilable internal crisis . The exodus included governors from Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Taraba, and Adamawa states, all of whom joined the APC between 2025 and early 2026 .
The timing of the planned defections is critical, as political parties are required by INEC to submit their membership register between April 1 and April 21, 2026, ahead of primaries scheduled to begin on April 23 . The pressure to meet the deadline is forcing politicians to make swift decisions on their political affiliations .
The crisis has deepened fears that the PDP may struggle to field candidates for the 2027 elections, especially as the Court of Appeal is yet to deliver a final judgment on the party’s factional leadership dispute . Party chieftains have expressed concern that the ongoing litigation and internal wrangling could render the PDP unable to present a presidential candidate .
Meanwhile, indications suggest that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is also set to defect to the APC immediately after the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration .
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