The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suffered another heavy blow as Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The twin defections have further weakened the opposition, shrinking its control to just eight states, down from the 11 it held after the 2023 general elections.
With the latest development, the APC now rules 24 states, while the PDP is left with eight. The Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) retain one state each.
While Mbah made his move public on Tuesday, 14th October, 2025. His defection was quickly embraced by the APC leadership barely 24 hours later. Diri however confirmed his own exit in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons” for joining the ruling party.
As of Wednesday, the governors still holding the PDP flag are: 1. Ahmadu Fintiri, Adamawa (North-East), 2. Bala Mohammed, Bauchi (North-East), 3. Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau (North-Central), 4. Agbu Kefas, Taraba (North-Central), 5. Dauda Lawal, Zamfara (North-West), 6. Seyi Makinde, Oyo (South-West), 7. Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers (South-South) and 8. Ademola Adeleke, Osun (South-West)
There are growing rumours that a few of the remaining governors, including Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, may also be considering jumping ship.
Worried by this trend, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, admitted that the spate of defections had unsettled the party.
Speaking in Abuja after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Mohammed said the defections were “deeply concerning,” but assured that efforts were on to hold the party together ahead of its November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.
“If you ask me whether I am concerned about our governors leaving for the APC, I am more than concerned,” Mohammed said. “But leadership is a burden. As a leader of equals, I cannot dictate to my colleagues. However, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.”
The latest defections mark another blow for the PDP as the APC tightens its grip on Nigeria’s political map, leaving the opposition gasping for balance ahead of the next election cycle.
