Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is facing another potential setback as two of its prominent governors, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are reportedly preparing to leave the party before April.
Sources familiar with developments within the party disclosed that Bala Mohammed is expected to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while Makinde is said to have concluded arrangements to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Their planned departure comes amid deepening internal disputes that have continued to weaken the PDP since the 2023 general elections.
The party has already witnessed a wave of high-profile defections over the past year. Several governors elected on the PDP platform have switched allegiance to other parties, largely citing unresolved leadership conflicts and internal divisions.
Among those who previously exited the party are Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who moved to the APC in April 2025, followed by Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom in June of the same year. Later in 2025, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State also joined the ruling party.
The defections continued into 2026 as Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State reportedly switched to the APC. Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke left the PDP for the Accord Party in December 2025.
There are also indications that Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, may soon follow the same path, with plans reportedly underway for him to formally join the APC after the upcoming Eid‑el‑Kabir celebration.
The ongoing defections extend beyond governors. Legislative data shows that dozens of federal lawmakers elected under the PDP banner have also crossed over to the APC since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023.
Political realignments are being accelerated by the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections. According to the schedule, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls are slated for February 6, 2027.
Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while membership registers must be submitted to the electoral commission between April 1 and April 21.
Meanwhile, concerns have emerged within the PDP that ongoing legal disputes over the legitimacy of its internal convention could affect preparations for the presidential primaries. Some party stakeholders fear the unresolved litigation might hinder the party’s ability to present a presidential candidate in the 2027 election if the crisis persists.
