By John Moses
Nigeria’s principal opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is grappling with a fresh wave of high-profile defections, with emerging indications that Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and his embattled Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, may soon decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The potential exits follow the footsteps of Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), who recently left the PDP to join the APC. Their defections come amid protracted internal leadership struggles within the PDP, further weakening its cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Governor Oborevwori reportedly succeeded in bringing along most of his state’s PDP machinery into the APC fold, Governor Eno’s move did not enjoy similar traction. Now, all eyes are on the South-South region, where a broader political realignment appears to be in motion.
Though acting PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Umar Damagum, has denied speculation of his own defection plans, reports suggest that six federal lawmakers from Bayelsa and Rivers states have declined overtures from Governors Diri and Fubara to join the APC alongside them.
Prominent among those resisting pressure are Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and House members Fred Agbedi, Mitema Obodor, and Marie Ebikake from Bayelsa, along with Boma Goodhead and Awajinombe Abiante from Rivers. Sources allege their resistance is hampering the governors’ defection strategies.
Governor Fubara, currently suspended amid a political crisis with his estranged political mentor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is said to be considering defection as part of a deal for reinstatement. However, Rivers APC leaders have publicly opposed his membership bid.
Fubara’s spokesperson, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, denied that the governor had approached lawmakers with defection requests. Former MP Ogbonna Nwuke echoed the sentiment, calling such reports “highly speculative” and stressing the need to restore democratic institutions in Rivers.
In Bayelsa, Governor Diri has reportedly met key stakeholders and may finalise plans to defect after further discussions with APC national leadership. While speaking to Southern Ijaw leaders, he neither confirmed nor denied the rumours, but said any such decision would be based on the interests of the state and guided by consultations with his electorate.
Meanwhile, Senator Dickson’s recent criticism of President Tinubu’s silence on the crisis in Rivers during a Democracy Day speech has further highlighted intra-party tensions. He described the situation in Rivers as a “dangerous erosion of constitutional rule.”
As defections loom, Damagum has reiterated his commitment to stabilising the PDP. He dismissed rumours of his planned exit, accusing internal saboteurs of blackmail and political mischief. In a statement through his aide, Nuru Shehu Jos, he affirmed that the PDP in Yobe State remains “strong, united, and healthy.”
With uncertainty looming over the PDP’s future, the coming weeks could determine whether the party can recover from internal fractures or face further erosion in its ranks ahead of the next national polls.
