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 report by ThisDay 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, the governors allegedly considering to support the second-term push of President Bola 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.
With Governor Eno’s open support for Tinubu’s reelection, it was 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.
It was 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 stated 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.
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.
There have been ongoing coalition talks between opposition political leaders to unseat Tinubu in 2027.
It remains uncertain whether these discussions will yield tangible results.
