The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing one of its most turbulent periods in recent history, with waves of defections and worsening internal crises threatening its survival ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a concerted attempt to halt the party’s rapid decline, PDP governors and key stakeholders met in Abuja last night to map out urgent strategies to salvage what remains of the party.
The emergency meeting, which took place at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, brought together a mix of current and former governors and influential party leaders.
Attendees included Acting National Chairman Iliya Damagum; Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang; Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke; former governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Achike Udenwa (Imo), among others.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s entrance turned heads, as he arrived in a black G-Wagon, clad in a black jalabiya and white cap, a symbolic presence, given his recent statements and strained relationship with the PDP mainstream.
High on the agenda was how to mitigate the fallout from recent defections and restore unity within the party before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, and a possible convention in August.
Party insiders have expressed concern that if key grievances are not resolved swiftly, the NEC meeting may be disrupted or cancelled, potentially derailing the August convention entirely.
The defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP structure in Delta to the APC have been described by party leaders as a “body blow.”
The April 14, 2025, PDP Governors Forum meeting had resolved not to pursue any coalition against the ruling APC, declaring instead that the PDP would remain open to welcoming other groups willing to join its quest to reclaim power in 2027.
However, shortly after that resolution, Wike granted an interview voicing his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, stoking fresh tensions within the party.
The Delta defections triggered a domino effect, with lawmakers in Jigawa State and other figures also crossing over to the APC.
The three PDP senators from Kebbi State are reportedly preparing to defect, and speculation is rife that the governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and the lone PDP governor in the Southeast may also jump ship.
Further complicating matters, former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan recently announced her support for President Tinubu in 2027.
This declaration appears to close the door on any potential comeback bid by former President Goodluck Jonathan on the PDP platform.
Many observers had hoped Jonathan might recontest under a one-term agreement to help unify the party and appeal to both northern and southern blocs.
As one source close to the party’s leadership put it, “the North, unhappy with Tinubu’s leadership, might back a Southerner from the PDP, but only under the assurance that power will rotate back to the North in 2031.”
Jonathan, who is constitutionally eligible to serve one more term, was seen as a unifying figure. But with Dame Jonathan’s public support for Tinubu, that option now seems out of reach.
The meeting also touched on legal uncertainties surrounding the party’s National Secretary.
According to a source in the PDP’s National Working Committee, a resolution has been reached: “the deputy national secretary will continue to act in the position until the August convention.”
Another pressing issue is the uncertain status of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Although he has not officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), speculation continues to swirl.
The PDP governors are reportedly eager to clarify Atiku’s intentions and may discuss whether to cede the 2027 presidential ticket to a Southerner on the condition of a one-term presidency.
This topic remains divisive. Some northern PDP figures argue that if the South is likely to seek two terms, it may be more strategic to let Tinubu complete his term and support a northern candidate in 2031.
The Abuja meeting came three weeks after the governors’ previous gathering in Ibadan, where they declared that the PDP would not participate in any coalition talks involving Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Delta Governor Oborevwori was notably absent from that meeting.
Within the PDP, three main blocs are emerging ahead of the NEC meeting on May 27: the governors’ bloc, the Atiku camp, and Wike’s loyalists.
Their ability to reconcile differences may determine whether the party can stabilize in time for the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has voiced confidence that the PDP will bounce back stronger. He said:
“I’m confident that all those who left the PDP will return, including Ganduje, because very soon, the APC will burst and split into factions.”
Lamido added “I said it, and I repeat: within six months, all those who defected to the APC will come back, and the PDP will rise with full force to wrest power in 2027.”
He made the comments at the PDP state congress in Dutse, where he also warned that the Tinubu administration was steering Nigeria toward instability.
“Nigeria is drifting to a tunnel of disintegration with mushroom cabals as implementers of bad policies, and the mission of President Tinubu lacks objectives of good governance for success and prosperity.”
“For us to be out of this catastrophic monopoly, all hands must be on deck in jetting out this so-called misled crop of architectors… people with failed mission and objectives.”
“I charge all our newly elected state’s PDP Exco to eschew selfishness, greed… and work tirelessly for the success of the PDP in 2027, to enact a purposeful leadership in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”
