The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be slipping further into crisis as its internal leadership battles intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party, still reeling from losses suffered in the 2023 polls, has now taken another heavy blow with the departure of two serving governors.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, have both formally resigned from the PDP—Fubara joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Adeleke moving to the Accord Party.
Fubara announced his defection during a stakeholders' meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt, saying the PDP failed to protect him amid political tension in the state. He insisted that supporting President Bola Tinubu required aligning fully with the APC, not offering “backdoor support.”
His move comes just days after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 17 lawmakers also defected to the APC, citing unresolved crises within the PDP.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke stated on X that he had joined the Accord Party since November 6, positioning it as his platform for seeking re-election in August 2026. He said the party’s focus on welfarism aligns with his administration’s priorities.
These high-profile exits deepen fears that Nigeria’s political landscape is tilting toward a dominant-party system, raising concerns about the level of competition the ruling APC may face in 2027.
PDP Responds: “Don’t Blame Us”
In its reaction, the PDP described Fubara’s defection as a consequence of his own decisions. National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong stated that the governor should not fault the party for the outcome of his political choices. The party warned that continued defections pose risks to Nigeria’s democratic balance, potentially pushing the country toward a one-party structure.
Analyst: PDP Is Experiencing Deep Structural Breakdown
Public Affairs Analyst Dr. Nduka Odo told DAILY POST that the exits of both governors reflect deeper institutional weaknesses within the PDP. He argued that Fubara’s defection is tied to intense political struggles in Rivers State, while Adeleke’s switch to the Accord Party suggests frustration with the PDP’s long-standing internal divisions.
According to Odo, these developments point to the party’s failure to resolve internal conflicts but added that its decline is not irreversible. He stressed that reviving the PDP would require serious reforms, renewed internal democracy, and rebuilding trust among key stakeholders.
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