By Clarion Newschannel Political Desk
January 2, 2026
Abuja —
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once Nigeria’s dominant political force, has suffered a devastating blow as several governors elected on its platform have defected in droves throughout 2025 and into early 2026, leaving the main opposition party controlling only a handful of states.
The latest to exit is Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who formally resigned from the PDP on December 29, 2025, in a letter addressed to his ward chairman. Mutfwang, who won the 2023 governorship election under the PDP banner, cited the need for “an alternative political platform to better serve Plateau State” as his reason for departing. Reports indicate he has aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with a formal defection ceremony expected soon.
Mutfwang’s departure follows a pattern seen throughout 2025, where at least seven other PDP governors defected, primarily to the APC:
Delta State: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defected in April 2025, along with former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the entire state PDP structure, describing the party as a “sinking boat.
Akwa Ibom State: Governor Umo Eno switched in June 2025, stating the PDP was “not performing as expected” at the national level.
Enugu State: Governor Peter Mbah announced his move in October 2025 to better “connect” the South-East to the federal centre.
Bayelsa State: Governor Douye Diri left in October 2025, citing the party’s “terminal decline.”
Taraba State: Governor Agbu Kefas resigned in November 2025, with his formal APC entry scheduled for early 2026.
Rivers State: Governor Siminalayi Fubara defected in December 2025, amid ongoing political tensions.
Osun State: Governor Ademola Adeleke resigned in late 2025, citing “leadership turmoil,” and joined the Accord Party instead of the APC.
These defections have reduced the PDP’s gubernatorial holdings to just four states as of early 2026: Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo, and Zamfara.
Analysts and party insiders attribute the exodus primarily to the PDP’s protracted internal leadership crisis, which traces back to disputes over zoning arrangements in the 2023 presidential ticket and has intensified with factional battles involving figures like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Many defecting governors have openly stated their moves allow better access to federal resources and alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration for state development.
PDP spokespersons have accused the federal government of marginalizing opposition states, forcing governors to seek “connection to the centre” for benefits. Remaining PDP leaders, including Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, have vowed to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 elections, but the wave of exits has raised concerns about the opposition’s viability and fears of a creeping one-party dominance under the APC.
As Nigeria enters 2026, the PDP’s umbrella appears tattered, with its once-boasted national structure severely weakened. Political observers warn that without urgent reconciliation, the party risks further fragmentation.
Deep Dive: The PDP Leadership Crisis
The PDP’s leadership crisis, which has fueled the mass exodus of governors and other members, can be traced back to the buildup to the 2023 general elections. At its core is a deep-seated dispute over the party’s presidential zoning policy, which traditionally rotates the ticket between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions. The decision to field northern candidate Atiku Abubakar in 2023, despite calls for southern zoning, alienated key southern figures, particularly former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, who had aspired to the vice-presidential slot.
Post-2023, the crisis escalated into open factionalism. Wike, now FCT Minister under the APC-led federal government, has been accused of anti-party activities, including publicly supporting APC candidates while retaining PDP membership.In December 2025, Wike warned that the PDP “may not make it in 2027” unless its leadership addresses the internal rot, highlighting the party’s struggles with unity since the 2023 polls.5d76db This came amid a series of expulsions and counter-expulsions, with one faction expelling Wike in what analysts described as a “suicide pact” that further deepens divisions.
The crisis has manifested in physical confrontations, such as the November 2025 clash at the PDP national secretariat between rival factions, underscoring the party’s inability to resolve disputes internally.In December 2025, the party dissolved executives in 14 states, setting the stage for new congresses in 2026, but this move has only intensified the turmoil. Court interventions have become inevitable, with figures like Amah Abraham noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deferred to judicial resolution for leadership disputes.
Regional dimensions add complexity: South-East leaders threatened to quit in May 2025 over perceived marginalization, while the recent suspension of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido exposes northern fractures.e7a472 Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has accused Wike of pledging to “hold the PDP” for President Tinubu’s benefit, alleging a deliberate sabotage from within. Overall, the crisis reflects a breakdown in party discipline, with personal ambitions and external influences from the ruling APC exacerbating the infighting.
Looking Ahead: Impact on the 2027 Nigerian Elections
The PDP’s leadership crisis and resulting defections are poised to profoundly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, potentially weakening the opposition and tilting the balance toward a one-party dominance.
With the PDP now controlling only four states, its national structure is severely eroded, limiting its ability to mobilize resources and voters. Analysts warn that the party risks not fielding candidates in 2027 if internal disputes persist, as factional battles could lead to legal challenges over primaries and nominations. This is particularly dire in key states like Lagos, where mass exits and unending crises have faded the PDP’s fortunes, reducing its challenge to the APC.
The defections signal a strategic realignment, with governors citing better access to federal patronage under the APC as a motivator. This could consolidate President Tinubu’s position, especially if Wike’s alleged pledge to undermine the PDP materializes, effectively handing the APC an advantage in southern strongholds. However, some experts argue that voter sentiment, driven by economic issues like hunger rather than party defections, will ultimately decide outcomes.
Broader implications include a weakened democracy: A diminished PDP might accelerate Nigeria’s slide toward a de facto one-party state, reducing checks on the executive and fostering complacency in governance.Yet, opportunities for revival exist if remaining leaders like Bala Mohammed can broker reconciliation. Without it, the 2027 polls could see fragmented opposition votes benefiting the APC, or the emergence of new coalitions. As one PDP chieftain noted, the party’s survival hinges on resolving its “unresolved crisis,” or risk irrelevance in Africa’s largest democracy.
MASS EXODUS: PDP Governors Flee Sinking Ship Amid Deepening Crisis
