FULL LIST: PDP left with eight governors as defections shake Enugu, Bayelsa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been reduced to eight governors following the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

These latest defections further weaken the main opposition party, which had held control of 11 states after the 2023 general elections.

With this development, the APC now controls 26 states, while the PDP retains eight. The Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each govern one state.

Mbah announced his defection to the APC on Tuesday, a move immediately welcomed by the party’s leadership. Less than 24 hours later, Diri confirmed his own exit from the PDP in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons.”

THE EIGHT REMAINING PDP GOVERNORS
As of Wednesday, the PDP governors still in office are:

Adamawa – Ahmadu Fintiri (North-East)
Bauchi – Bala Mohammed (North-East)
Plateau – Caleb Mutfwang (North-Central)
Taraba – Agbu Kefas (North-Central)
Zamfara – Dauda Lawal (North-West)
Oyo – Seyi Makinde (South-West)
Rivers – Siminalayi Fubara (South-South)
Osun – Ademola Adeleke (South-West)

There have been unconfirmed rumours that some of these governors, including Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, may also be considering defection.

The recent wave of departures comes shortly after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, voiced concern about the increasing number of defections to the APC.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Mohammed admitted that the situation had unsettled the PDP. However, he assured that efforts were underway to strengthen unity ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan.

He said, “If you ask me whether I am concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot dictate the choices of my colleagues. However, much is being done behind the scenes to keep the party together.”