The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, following the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His move adds to a growing list of PDP governors who have abandoned the party in recent months, reshaping the country’s political landscape.
With Mutfwang’s exit, the North-Central zone is now entirely controlled by the APC, according to the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who announced the defection during the APC’s 14th National Caucus meeting in Abuja.
Below is a curated list of governors who have recently dumped the PDP:
1. Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State)
Governor Mutfwang officially joined the APC, a move announced by the party’s national leadership. His defection effectively handed full APC control to the North-Central geopolitical zone.
2. Agbu Kefas (Taraba State)
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas registered as an APC member on December 14, 2025, receiving his party card in Wukari Local Government Area. He described the decision as one taken in the interest of governance and unity. His defection marks the first time since 1999 that Taraba has a governor outside the PDP.
3. Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State)
On December 9, Governor Fubara announced his defection to the APC during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt. He said full political alignment was necessary to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration. His move followed the defection of 16 Rivers State lawmakers to the APC.
4. Ademola Adeleke (Osun State)
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke resigned from the PDP on November 4, 2025, citing unresolved leadership crises within the party. In a letter to his ward chairman, he thanked the PDP for past opportunities before later declaring his move to the Accord Party to pursue a second term.
5. Douye Diri (Bayelsa State)
Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the PDP on October 15, 2025. He was formally received into the APC on November 3 at a rally in Yenagoa, where Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC leaders welcomed him. Diri described the defection as a collective decision of the Ijaw people across several states.
6. Peter Mbah (Enugu State)
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah defected to the APC on October 14, 2025, announcing the decision in a statewide broadcast. He said the move was necessary to reposition Enugu and redefine its political direction.
7. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State)
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori joined the APC following consultations with political stakeholders. He announced his decision after a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba, describing it as a strategic step toward long-term development ahead of 2027.
8. Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State)
Governor Umo Eno defected to the APC on June 6, 2025, after weeks of consultations. Speaking in Uyo, he said the decision was made from a position of strength and aimed at supporting President Tinubu’s economic reforms.
With these high-profile defections, the PDP’s influence continues to shrink across several regions. The growing question now is whether the remaining PDP governors will follow the same path in the near future.
