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The Peoples Democratic Party is now left with only seven governors after 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 previously governed 11 states after the 2023 elections.
Following the new development, the APC now controls 26 states, while the PDP retains only seven.
The Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party each govern one state — Lagos, Anambra, and Kano, respectively.
Governor Mbah announced his defection on Tuesday, describing it as part of a “strategic alignment” designed to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government for the advancement of Enugu State.
His decision, which included members of his cabinet, state lawmakers, and most local government chairmen, received immediate approval from the APC leadership.
Less than 24 hours later, Governor Diri formally announced his resignation from the PDP in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons”.
Reports confirmed that 19 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, several commissioners, and local government chairmen joined him in leaving the party.
The Seven Remaining PDP Governors
As of Wednesday, the remaining PDP governors 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 rumours, though none have been confirmed.
The fresh wave of defections comes shortly after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, voiced concern over the increasing number 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 admitted that the defections had unsettled the PDP. However, he maintained that efforts were being made to maintain unity ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan.
He stated, “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.”
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