NewStats: 3,263,506 , 8,180,369 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 10:03 AM 104n31

Opposition political parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Labour Party, are bleeding as some of their prominent have dumped their platforms for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Concerned by the wave of defections to the APC, the PDP, NNPP, and the Coalition of United Political Parties have accused the APC-led Federal Government of exploiting state resources to coerce their and other politicians into switching allegiance to the ruling party.

In response, the APC welcomed the defectors, dismissed the claims from the PDP and NNPP as unfounded, asserting that politicians are willingly ing the party because of the significant achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope istration.

Recall that an exclusive report by The PUNCH on February 18 revealed that over 300 PDP defected to the APC between February 2024 and February 2025, citing internal conflicts within the party at both the state and national levels as the main reason for their departure.

Likewise, the NNPP and Labour Party have also experienced a notable wave of defections to the APC, with many pointing to internal disputes and other related issues as their reasons.

On Wednesday, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor and PDP’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, along with all party in the state, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The announcement was delivered in Asaba by Senator James Manager following a marathon meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.

Manager stated, “All PDP in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.

“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Aniagwu Charles, formally confirmed the governor’s defection, along with the unified decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to the APC.

“There is a need for us to adjust the drinking pattern. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.

He added, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”

Charles stated that the decision was reached unanimously by party leaders and stakeholders, indicating that an official public announcement would be made soon.

“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.


Also, the Senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Kawu Sumaila, on Wednesday officially confirmed his defection from the NNPP to the ruling APC.

His clarification, which was contained in a statement via his Facebook page, ended weeks of intense political speculations over his future in the NNPP.

The Senator hinged his decision to quit on the need to be fully committed to his constituents, which he claimed remained his first priority.

The statement read, “Yes, it is true — the rumours regarding my defection are accurate. All politics is local, and my primary concern has always been, and remains, the welfare of my immediate constituency.

“I am resolutely determined to advance the lives of my people, ensuring their needs are met and their future is secured.”

His exit has also fuelled rumours that the leader of the Kwankwasiyyan Movement and former presidential candidate of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, may return to the APC.

In another related development, a long-serving member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Oke, who represents Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State, announced his resignation in a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to the Chairman, PDP Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area.

The letter read, “I wish to formally notify you that I am reg my hip of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect.

“This was concluded after consultation and engagement with my political associates, family and friends.

“It is my wish that you accept my resignation in good faith.”

The letter was copied to the National and Osun State Chairmen of the party.

In a brief telephone conversation with our correspondent, the lawmaker, who appeared to be in no mood for an interview, anchored his decision on the division in his party.

“PDP is divided,” he said, without further elaboration.


Similarly, the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Political Mobilissation and Engagement, Eugene Utubor, stated on Wednesday that LP Senator Neda Imasuen is on the verge of defecting to the All Progressives Congress.

Utubor, who met with Imasuen on Tuesday night in Benin, said the lawmaker open to ing the APC and that efforts are underway to strengthen the party’s ranks both nationally and in the state.

He said, “I can tell you that Senator Neda Imasuen will the All Progressives Congress in the coming days. I was with him on Tuesday and his body language speaks volume.

“Imasuen believes that the governor has done remarkably well in such a short time and it is crucial that we come together to ensure the success of his vision for our people.

“He has encouraged every well-meaning Edo citizen to rally around the governor as he works diligently for our collective progress.”

In recent times, Imasuen is often seen in public functions alongside notable leaders of the APC in Edo State. He is said to enjoy cordial relationship with of the ruling party in the state.

In addition to the recent defections, several prominent figures had earlier ed the APC. These include former Kaduna State Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero; Senators Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi, and Sylvanus Ngele; former Senate President Pius Anyim; ex-Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu; House of Representatives member Suleiman Gumi; and PDP founding member Shuibu Oyedokun. Others are Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Omosede Igbinedion, Kabiru Classic, Salisu Garba and Abuja Municipal Area Council chairman Christopher Maikalangu.

From the NNPP, Yusuf Galambi, who represents Gwaram federal constituency in Jigawa, has also defected to the APC. He is ed by several local government chairmen, councillors, and party officials. Key NNPP leaders, including Senator Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Ali Madaki, and Hon. Badamasi Ayuba, have met with APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and are expected to make their defection official soon.

With the 2027 elections approaching, multiple sources indicate that three PDP governors and NNPP National Leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have struck a deal with President Tinubu and are likely to the APC in the near future.

One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “Based on their actions and silence, as well as the way some governors have openly praised President Tinubu’s istration, it’s clear that a few of them are likely to the APC soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if the governors of Adamawa, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, and even the NNPP National Leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, eventually defect.”

In[b] response, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor criticised the recent defections from opposition parties to the APC, saying they serve personal interests rather than the nation’s good.[/b]

https://punchng.com/2027-power-shift-opposition-weakens-as-more-pdp-govs-senators-eye-apc/

We should be discussing 2031 election

They are all running away from the sinking ship.

This is the time for the opposition to be introspective and look inwards.

They should ask themselves why so many of their are leaving en masse to APC.

Its a clear indication that their parties are sinking and the only option left for them is to the ruling party.

Hmmmm

helinues:


We should be discussing 2031 election

I see Obi running mate, decamping too!

A lot of our politicians are indisciplined but I don't think they can read the handwriting on the wall. What Obi proved in 2023 is that you don't need a party to win and Nigerians will vote for independent candidates indirectly. E go shock them

When some dumb people are still jubilating that their foolish coalition will ruin tinubu’s 2027 election,they keep on getting attacks in their heart…as if they have better intentions for the people or they just want to be at the corrridor of power.
A sensible person ing and celebrating el rufai decamping from APC foolishly without thinking that if ha has the appointment he wished from the present government he will resign.
Their father is PBAT who never jumped from one party to another but instead he continue to establish and build political parties to suit his political aims and ideologies,not those paper weight losers who keep jumping from APGA to PDP to LP and still eying SDP in order to seek political relevance and power.

I believe Enugu State Governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah will APC before 2027.

There are 3 types of PDP .

Those who will decamp
Those who will remain in PDP and sink it from within
The gullible ones

I think there shud be a law that will bar any elected officer from defecting from the party that elected him till after his tenure.

It's like Tinubu is coercing these governors to him so as to get soft landing and a guarantee of second term. It's now getting clearer that this country is doomed for life and the political elites have conquered the civilians with poverty. There's nothing we can do than to keep looking on as this country nose dive into the abyss.

Naija has been conquered by the Lagos mafias

Thiefing mofos with no good intent

When PDP leadership refused to put the party in order this is expected

PDP cannot field a presidential candidate so no need for anyone to remain there

Even the leadership of the party will not stay back to waste their time.

Those talking about Tinubu using state machinery should cover their face in shame. Which machinery is needed more than the one they have offered? They couldn't reach agreement for their so called coalition, instead of them managing the information properly, they were all busy granting interviews here and there as if they competing for who will break the news first, telling the people that the said coalition will not succeed and they expect their to wait till they are dragged into the pit when it is cleared to the party that non of the parties can defeat the ruling party without the coalition? Make una dey play.

Voters are different from politicians

“There is a need for us to adjust the drinking pattern.

this sums it all up....its all about their selfish interests.

helinues:


We should be discussing 2031 election

Some people defected, they couldn’t carry any governor, senator or Rep member with them and they say they want to form coalition to unseat the govt. Yet just like that, one powerful state with all their and factions including entire structure flipped! Imagine Sheriiff and Okowa flipping?

Jagaban is not their mate!.

SS is positioning, after Tinubu, SW will not see presidency for another 40 years. SE had better borrow themselves some sense and stop backing that loser because if they don’t start to act right when presidency rotates to the south it is going to SS. 2027 is a done deal, I would have loved Umahi as VP in 2031 but SE is not helping him at the end of the day politics is a numbers game!

even suspended Governor is singing the praises of Tinubu, Kano NNPP defection incoming. People will learn politics by force!

Temporary gains.
After primaries, another wave of defections will begin and the crises that would follow would be the undoing of the APC.

lol when ticket no reach some people after primaries,,,,dem go turn this their new party dem dey run go to the new battle ground.....dey play,,so funny how the same party ona yab during the last election ona don run go there now,saying na cos the leader dey do well,,,,this the time to sweep them out they all have no ideas,,,y'all should vote candidates and not parties going forward

The opposition from hell is still trying to regroup but they won't be allowed to

The only way i see Tinubu not been president in 2017-2031 is if he dies... Else no merger or opposition as at now is doing enough to stop him. When kwankwaso and the incumbent kano governor finally defects, then even in the north he's unstoppable.

Sabadon:
“There is a need for us to adjust the drinking pattern.

this sums it all up....its all about their selfish interests.

What was it ever about? You sit down in your house and expect others to expend their time and resources for you?

Politics is about interests. In the countries you use as a yardstick, ordinary citizens are ed party , they pay monthly or annual subscriptions to fund the party, they are volunteer community political activists, they man the polls for free, they campaign door to door for free. You sit down in your house, watch as someone else spends his money to create a structure, spend his money to campaign, to even pay you to be polling agent for the party you and you expect him to work for your interest not his…why?

I already said it that that merger of apc in 2013 will be difficult to come by again. Tinubu controlled the southwest and totally surrendered it to buhari to win election and in return he expected to take over which they tried to outsmart him.
Any party trying to do such must first be under the authority of a single person. As at today, the pdp has no leader. It will be difficult to form a serious coalition.
Just give it to tinubu in 2027.

Salewa97:
This is the time for the opposition to be introspective and look inwards.

They should ask themselves why so many of their are leaving en masse to APC.

Its a clear indication that their parties are sinking and the only option left for them is to the ruling party.

it's clear indication that tinubu is doing well

Urgent1Million:
Temporary gains.
After primaries, another wave of defections will begin and the crises that would follow would be the undoing of the APC.

Leave the crisis for Tinubu, he's an experienced person, he would resolve it.

Kasala will box when they don't win running tickets! Cause this doesn't make political sense.

All the best to them