Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is on the verge of losing two of its most influential governors. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde are reportedly planning to exit the party before April.
The defections come amid ongoing turmoil within the PDP, as internal leadership struggles continue to push members toward the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties.
Since the 2023 general elections, at least nine PDP governors, 19 senators, and 47 members of the House of Representatives have left, citing irreconcilable divisions within the party.
A source close to the PDP told Daily Post: “All the PDP leaders are leaving. Bala Mohammed is already in APC, Makinde is on his way to ADC.”
The rush to switch parties is partly driven by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised election timetable. According to INEC, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls will take place on February 6, 2027.
Party primaries, including the resolution of any disputes, are set to run from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Ahead of this, political parties must submit their membership registers to INEC between April 1 and April 21, 2026, in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The law mandates that party primaries be completed by May 30 to allow for the democratic nomination of candidates.
The PDP has experienced a steady stream of defections in recent years, with factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Turaki both claiming control of the party. The potential departure of Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde represents another significant blow to the opposition party’s cohesion and electoral strength.
