There is growing unease within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over reports that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State are finalizing plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Both governors, elected under the PDP platform, are reportedly preparing to officially join the APC on October 14, though emerging political developments may delay the move, particularly following a leadership crisis in the Enugu APC chapter over the weekend.
In anticipation of Governor Mbah’s defection, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) last week dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee (SWC) and appointed a caretaker committee led by Ben Nwoye. However, the dissolved state executive has rejected the action, insisting it remains the legitimate leadership of the party.
Meanwhile, PDP leaders in both states have declined to comment on the reported defections despite repeated requests for their reactions.
However, in Bayelsa, Governor Diri’s alleged plan to cross over to the APC has sparked sharp reactions in Bayelsa State. While some political figures welcomed the move as a strategic alignment with the APC-led federal government that could attract more federal support, others dismissed it as self-serving and politically opportunistic.
A source close to Government House, Yenagoa, confirmed that the defection was imminent but described the reported October 14 date as “speculative.”
“Yes, the governor is leaving the PDP, but I can’t confirm that date,” the source said. “He has told us his decision, and as loyal followers, ours is to support him. He’ll make it public soon.”
Bayelsa APC Chairman Chief Dennis Otiotio confirmed the party’s readiness to receive the governor, saying the APC welcomes all who are committed to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his 2027 re-election bid.
“The APC Bayelsa chapter is open to anyone ready to support the President. We believe Governor Diri’s defection will strengthen our unity in the South-South,” Otiotio said.
However, another APC official, who spoke anonymously, downplayed the speculation, insisting the party had not received any official communication on Diri’s planned move.
Moreover, Ijaw leader and Convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, hailed Diri’s move as “a bold and strategic decision.”
“I once advised the governor to consider joining the ruling party. This step will ensure the Ijaw people have a voice at the national level. We need to be at the decision-making table, not outside it,” Ambakederimo said.
He argued that aligning with the APC would open greater federal opportunities for the Ijaw nation, saying continued opposition politics would only isolate the region.
“The PDP no longer has a future. It’s time for courageous decisions, not cautious steps,” he added.
On the other hand, former Bayelsa Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Furoebi Akene, criticized Diri’s reported defection as “self-serving” and “dishonourable.”
“There’s no integrity in Nigerian politics anymore. Politicians jump ship for personal safety, not public service,” Akene said.
He questioned how a governor entrusted with key PDP leadership duties, including the upcoming national convention in Ibadan, could contemplate such a move.
“It’s shameful and disgusting,” he said. “Our democracy has been reduced to a game of survival, not service.”
Political analyst Jones Andaobo expressed surprise at Diri’s move, saying: “Why would a performing governor defect to a party that has failed at the centre? The PDP’s loss will, however, be APC’s gain.”
He suggested that Diri’s entry could help stabilize the APC in Bayelsa, which has been plagued by leadership tussles between Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri and former Governor Timipre Sylva.
In Enugu, the dissolved APC State Working Committee condemned its removal by the NWC as unconstitutional. The 40-member exco argued that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the power to dissolve a state structure.
In a detailed 12-point statement, the group described the NWC’s action as “illegal, void, and a direct assault on internal democracy,” insisting that the Enugu APC was never accused of any wrongdoing.
“This is an unlawful attempt to reward disloyalty,” the exco said, alleging that most members of the new caretaker committee were previously suspended for anti-party activities during the 2023 elections.
The statement further noted that caretaker chairman Ben Nwoye had publicly resigned from the APC in April 2025, questioning his eligibility for the position.
The exco directed all ward, local government, and state officers to remain in office and continue their duties pending legal action to challenge the NWC’s decision.
Reacting to the planned defections, Chief Bode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman, lambasted the two governors, describing their actions as “shameless, disgusting, and destabilizing.”
“They should think of the people who voted for them. Defection without consulting the electorate is betrayal,” George told Vanguard.
He warned that mass defections could push Nigeria toward a dangerous one-party state, which he described as “the greatest failure of democracy.”
“There’s hunger and anger in the land, yet governors are crossing over to the APC,” he said. “It’s disgraceful. They must tell Nigerians what attracted them. They can’t turn this country into a one-party state, Nigerians will speak with their votes in 2027.”
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