In a dramatic turn of events that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape, the woes confronting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear to be compounding.

A fresh report claimed that some governors from the PDP and other opposition parties were planning to cross over to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources claimed that several PDP governors from the southern region were losing confidence in the PDP and were purportedly considering a strategic move to the APC.

In a major realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general election, at least three to four governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and support the second term push of President Bola Tinubu.

As reported on Sunday, April 20, 2025, by ThisDay, the governors are considering supporting (officially) the alleged second-term push of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is in response to political rumblings in many northern states, which are threatening withdrawal of support for the incumbent President’s re-elections. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State last Friday, at a public event, confirmed support for President Tinubu saying in his state, there’s no more party politics as they are all in a “unity party” of PDP and APC.

However, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, are weighing options of support for Tinubu’s second term whilst not changing or decamping from the opposition PDP.

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With Governor Eno’s open support for Tinubu’s reelection, ThisDay gathered that the entire machinery of the PDP in the state will be deployed for APC’s victory and also to facilitate the return of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio to the upper chamber as president in 2027.

The planned defection or realignment of more PDP governors, it was learnt, has brightened APC and Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 general election, especially with threats in the North to withdraw support.

Tinubu won 62 per cent of his votes in the 19 northern states in the 2023 presidential election.

According to ThisDay, investigation revealed that the defection talks with many PDP governors have reached advanced stages.

However, certain conditions are said to be attached to the proposed deals to make the deals a win-win for the negotiating parties.

THISDAY gathered that President Tinubu had also met with some APC senators as a prelude to the governors’ defections and informed them of the development.

A competent source privy to the negotiations told THISDAY that Governor Eno agreed to join the APC because he also feared his re-election might be truncated and wanted to secure it ahead of 2027.

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It was also gathered that Akpabio is coordinating talks for his defection.

Uno was also said to be determined to use his defection to get the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), off the back of his benefactor and predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, who is currently under the watch of the agency.

To also prepare the minds of his colleague-governors in the PDP, Eno was alleged to have refused to host PDP governors in his state.

To reciprocate Eno’s endorsement of Tinubu, the Senate President, Akpabio, pledged to support the governor for a second term.

Akpabio, represented by the Chairperson of the National Assembly Service Commission, Saviour Enyiekere, gave the endorsement in his Goodwill message at a public lecture organised by the Faculty of Social Science, University of Uyo, on Tuesday.

Akpabio’s representative said: “Sir, for doing that (endorsing Tinubu), I am a member of the All Progressives Congress. I am speaking for the elders and to tell you we are also going to support you for a second term.”

“We will support you in whatever aspiration you have. Yesterday, you broke a record by being the first opposition governor to declare support for a second term bid of President Tinubu,” he added.

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Akpabio had in January 2024, at a meeting of the APC leaders in Uyo, the state capital, said it was abnormal for him as Senate president not to have the APC produce the governor of his state in 2027.

Governor Oborevwori, it was learnt, is also weighing options on whether to remain in the PDP and back Tinubu’s reelection or quit the opposition party.

He is said to be waiting for the other party to sign its part of the deal for him to make a commitment.

The suspended governor Fubara is also weighing the options on whether to back Tinubu whilst retaining his membership of the PDP or defect to the APC.

The newspaper also gathered that Fubara’s initial plan to defect to the APC was frustrated by the political crisis that engulfed his state.

His plans to join the APC were believed to have been stalled largely due to President Tinubu’s displeasure with his handling of the political crisis in his state and partly by his estranged benefactor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike’s effective grip on the APC structure in the state.

For the embattled governor, the decision to join the ruling APC was to secure his mandate against the subterranean moves by his political opponents to remove him from office or deny him a second term ticket.

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He was said to have rejected the PDP governors’ resolution to challenge the state of emergency declared in his state in court due to his plan to reconcile with his political enemies and possibly defect to the APC.

The 4 governors who could reportedly join APC:

Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom state)

Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers state)

Peter Mbah (Enugu state)

Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta state)

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As the political landscape intensifies in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election, whispers of potential party defections are circulating among prominent politicians.

Key figures are rumored to be considering a shift in allegiance, aiming to mount a formidable challenge against President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming general election scheduled for just two years from now.

The stakes are high as these politicians evaluate their positions and potential alliances, seeking to rally support and mobilize their bases in a bid to counteract the incumbent’s strategies.

The All Progressives Congress in Kano State welcomes Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s speculated impending defection to the party.

The Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, stated this while addressing a press briefing in Kano on Friday.

“APC, as a political institution, has embarked on the project of receiving decampees from all political parties in its Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Of recent, the attention of the party has been drawn to speculations of the impending decamping of the leader of the expelled faction of the NNPP, Senator Kwankwaso, into the party.

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“This is a welcome development, especially given the fact that the APC remains his last political refuge as he has successfully destroyed his relations with all other political groupings in the country.

“Without prejudice to our desire as a party to welcome new entrants and in respect of the constitutional rights of citizens to belong to political parties of their choice.

“We wish to state our position as a state chapter of our great party in Kano state,” Abbas said.

He said the party had already directed its ward chapters to open registers for new defectors irrespective of their political and social statures is in line with the party’s constitution.

“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has referred to Peter Obi, who is the candidate representing the Labour Party in the presidential election of 2023, as a “social media candidate.

This characterization highlights Obi’s significant reliance on social media platforms for campaigning and engaging with the electorate, reflecting a modern approach to political discourse and outreach in the contemporary electoral landscape.

Wike, who spoke during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, said he believed that Obi did not stand a realistic chance of winning the presidential race.

According to the former Rivers governor, Obi is a “social media candidate.”

“No, he has no chance to win election. I don’t go to where you see people like this kind of social media candidate. I don’t do social media candidate,” Wike said.

Wike added that as a politician, he analyses candidates based on their prospect of victory rather than those the masses believe are popular online.

“I said I see that as a politician, and I analyse the candidate who is likely to win.

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“In politics, it’s not always the right that oh, this is the best candidate. No, no, no. You see Nigerians today, in politics, so many factors come in.”

As the political landscape intensifies in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, various factions are strategically maneuvering behind the scenes. They aim to assemble a formidable team capable of displacing the current President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, from office come election day.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a notable figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been rumoured as a potential running mate for Atiku Abubakar. …CONTINUE READING.

Amaechi lost political form when he could not succeeded in his attempt to win the ticket to contest for the 2023 presidential election under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and having earlier followed the moral route to resign from his ministerial post before purchasing the party’s nomination form for the APC presidential primary election.

He was singlehandedly defeated by Bola Tinubu and has been quiet politically.

This Atiku/Amaechi speculation gained momentum as Peter Obi plans to pull out from a proposed coalition with the former Vice President, leaving a vacuum that Amaechi might fill.

To make things worst for Atiku, his party, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, have distanced itself from a coalition of opposition politicians. The Forum under the leadership of the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, said it won’t join any alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

A source within PDP who spoke on the condition of anonymity indicated that Atiku has the option of joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with Rotimi Amaechi potentially serving as his running mate, following the recent rejection he faced within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

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The prospect of a political alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi holds no promise, obviously with significant challenges. Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, may see potential in selecting Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, as his running mate due to his ambition and the most available at the moment, but the possibility of lasting romance is doubtful.

However, this idea has been met with skepticism from Peter Obi, who believes that aligning himself with Atiku could undermine his own political ambitions and would reduce his Obidient Movenment.

Moreover, Obi has expressed concerns about trust, citing previous conflicts and differences with Atiku. This skepticism is echoed among a substantial segment of Obi’s supporters, who harbor doubts about the viability and sincerity of such a partnership, fearing that it may not benefit their aspirations in the long run.

They question whether the former Governor of Rivers State possesses the necessary support and appeal to galvanize the electorate against an incumbent president who enjoys significant backing. As the 2027 elections approach, the dynamics within these political factions will undoubtedly continue to evolve.

The race for the 2027 general election has officially begun, with various groups mobilizing and realigning across the major political parties. Recently, former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In his resignation from the APC, El-Rufai stated that the party had deviated from its founding principles and had become intolerant of internal democracy. He accused the leadership of sidelining members and failing to fulfil the promises that brought them to power. El-Rufai also hinted at plans to engage with other opposition figures to build a stronger coalition ahead of future elections.

However, City People’s findings suggest that El-Rufai’s entry into the SDP has not been warmly welcomed. Some SDP leaders feel his presence could destabilize the party’s operations. An SDP chieftain based in Akure expressed scepticism, arguing that El-Rufai joined the party for personal reasons rather than for the nation’s benefit. He stated, “El-Rufai joined the party (SDP) for selfish interests. He feels that his chances in APC were limited and that he had completely sidelined. He hopes to be chosen for the role of vice president in the next election, which is unlikely to happen in the APC.”

El-Rufai has also identified himself as a strong advocate for a Southern candidate after 8 years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, believing that the north has had its time and that the next eight years should be given to the south. Recently, while speaking on Arise News Channel’s Prime Time show, he indicated a preference for a southern candidate to replace President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 electoral cycle.

Currently, there have been ongoing talks between El-Rufai and other political leaders, such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Although El-Rufai has emphasized his support for a Southern candidate, it remains uncertain whether these discussions will yield tangible results.

Reports have also suggested that Obi might be considering joining the SDP. El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, fueled speculation by hinting that Obi could come to the SDP in response to a post on X. A user claimed that the SDP would struggle against the APC without Obi, to which Bashir replied, “He is coming.”

To strengthen the SDP and attract figures like Peter Obi, El-Rufai is working to bring some discontented APC chieftains—such as Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation, and Abdullahi Adamu, former national chairman of the APC—into the SDP in the coming months.

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El-Rufai’s swift departure from the APC seems aimed at solidifying his chances to run alongside Obi, who is reportedly considering a move from the Labour Party to the SDP. Currently, El-Rufai holds the position of national leader in the SDP and feels in control of the party. A statement from the SDP leadership praised El-Rufai’s extensive political experience and reformist approach, stating: “Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai brings decades of leadership, governance expertise, and strategic thinking. His appointment as national leader strengthens the SDP’s mission to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.”

The central question many Nigerians are asking is: Will Peter Obi leave the Labour Party for the Social Democratic Party? Analysts believe that the supporters of Peter Obi, known as the “Obidients,” are not attached to any political party but rather to Obi himself.

A few months ago, while addressing his supporters; he made it known about the current crisis within the Labour Party, Obi stated that he could leave the party for another if the situation did not improve. He made this point during an engagement with his supporters on his verified X account. The former Anambra State Governor emphasized that his primary focus—and the focus of committed members of the Obedient Movement—is to make Nigeria work for all citizens. He asserted that the current issues within the Labour Party are part of a distracting strategy that neither he nor his supporters are willing to succumb to. Obi stated, “Our engagement is about Nigeria; they are trying to change our focus. What we want to achieve is not about the Labour Party; it is about what the Obidients want to accomplish.”

– Citypeople