Tension is mounting within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following reports that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State have concluded plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two governors, both elected under the PDP, are expected to make their move official on October 14, although the timeline may shift due to emerging political crises in the affected states.
Crisis in Enugu APC Ahead of Mbah’s Defection
In Enugu, internal wrangling has gripped the APC following the dissolution of the state’s Working Committee (SWC) by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) last Thursday.
A caretaker committee led by Ben Nwoye was subsequently inaugurated to oversee party affairs — reportedly in preparation for Governor Mbah’s arrival.
However, the dissolved SWC rejected the move, insisting it remains the legitimate executive body.
According to the group, its dissolution was unconstitutional and amounted to “a direct assault on internal party democracy.”
In a 12-point statement, the 40-member Exco argued that it was duly elected and that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) — not the NWC — has the power to institute disciplinary actions or dissolve a state executive.
“The purported dissolution by the NWC amounts to a gross overreach and is void ab initio,” the statement read.
“It is alien to the APC Constitution, a clear act of impunity, and will be resisted across all party structures in Enugu.”
The statement also accused the caretaker members of anti-party activities and alleged that Ben Nwoye had publicly resigned from the APC earlier in April 2025.
Division in Bayelsa Over Diri’s Defection Plans
In Bayelsa, news of Governor Diri’s possible switch to the APC has stirred mixed reactions among political stakeholders in the Ijaw-speaking state.
Some supporters defended the move, arguing it would strengthen ties with the APC-led federal government and attract more federal attention to the state.
Others, however, dismissed the defection as “self-serving,” noting that Bayelsa had been a PDP stronghold for over 26 years, including 16 years at the national level.
A source close to the Bayelsa Government House confirmed the governor’s plan to defect but disputed the October 14 date circulating in the media.
“Yes, the governor is leaving the PDP, but I can’t confirm that date,” the source said.
“He has told us he’s leaving, and as his followers, we’ll go with him. He’ll make it public himself soon.”
APC Ready to Receive Diri
The Bayelsa APC Chairman, Chief Dennis Otiotio, expressed readiness to welcome the governor, describing the move as consistent with the party’s agenda.
“The APC in Bayelsa is open to any politician willing to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his re-election bid in 2027,” Otiotio said.
“We believe the President has done well for the South-South, and we’ll gladly receive Senator Douye Diri whenever he’s ready to join.”
However, another APC official, who spoke anonymously, said:
“I cannot react to speculation. We have not received any official communication about his defection.”
Mixed Reactions Among Stakeholders
‘A Welcome Development’ — Ambakederimo
Ijaw leader and convener of the South-South Reawakening Group, Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, hailed the potential defection as a “wise move.”
“Governor Diri’s switch to the APC is a welcome development,” he said.
“I once urged him to make this move. The Ijaw people need to have a seat at the table where national decisions are made.”
He added that aligning with the ruling party would create broader federal opportunities for Ijaw citizens and strengthen the region’s economic and political position.
“This is not the time for cautious steps but courageous leaps,” Ambakederimo continued.
“Our forebears aligned with the centre — remaining in a party with no future, like the PDP, is unwise.”
‘It’s Self-Serving’ — Akene
On the other hand, Furoebi Akene, a development consultant and former Bayelsa Commissioner for Lands and Survey, described the planned defection as “self-serving and disgraceful.”
“There is no conscience or accountability left in Nigerian politics,” Akene lamented.
“Politicians shamelessly return to vomit they once rejected. It’s disgusting and shows they only seek safety from prosecution.”
He also criticized the governor’s role as the chairman of the PDP convention planning committee in Ibadan while allegedly planning to defect.
“Trust no longer exists in Nigerian politics,” he said.
“Even anti-corruption agencies are corrupt, and everyone wants to defect to have their sins forgiven.”
‘I Can’t Understand His Reason’ — Andaobo
Political analyst Jones Andaobo expressed confusion over Governor Diri’s motives.
“It baffles me that a governor performing so well would contemplate joining a party that has failed at the centre,” he said.
“Nevertheless, the PDP’s loss will be APC’s gain.”
Andaobo predicted that Diri’s entry into the APC could help stabilise the party, which is currently facing internal struggles between Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and Chief Timipre Sylva.
“Since Lokpobiri has a good working relationship with Diri, this could strengthen political alignment within the party,” he added.
Bode George: ‘Defections Are Shameless and Shambolic’
Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, condemned the planned defections, calling them “shameless, disgraceful, and destabilising.”
“I don’t know if they are being blackmailed, but that’s no excuse,” George said.
“They should think of the people who voted for them. If they’ve done wrong, their secrets will eventually be exposed.”
He warned that mass defections could push Nigeria toward a one-party system, which he described as “the greatest failure imaginable.”
“There’s hunger and anger in the land, yet governors are jumping ship,” he lamented.
“If you’re leaving the ship, make sure your rope is tight — because this is disgraceful.”
George maintained that the APC’s performance had not justified the defections:
“The people gave them their mandate under the PDP. They must tell us what attracted them to the APC.
Nigeria cannot become a one-party state — and in 2027, Nigerians will shock them.”
