As Nigeria’s political terrain begins to shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, indications have emerged that at least three governors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are on the verge of defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

This political realignment, fueled by internal discontent within the PDP and mounting pressure from northern political blocs, suggests a broader plan to bolster Tinubu’s support base in the face of growing uncertainty, particularly from his northern stronghold.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State openly declared support for Tinubu at a public event last Friday, stating that politics in his state has transcended party affiliations, describing the current arrangement as a “unity party.”

Eno’s stance is reportedly a precursor to a broader deployment of the PDP’s political structure in Akwa Ibom to back APC candidates in 2027, including the re-election of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) are also contemplating whether to publicly align with Tinubu’s re-election bid, either from within the PDP or through outright defection.

Governor Eno’s motivations are reportedly tied to securing political survival—both his own and that of his predecessor Udom Emmanuel, who remains under EFCC scrutiny.

Akpabio, acting as a key broker, has pledged to support Eno’s re-election in exchange for his endorsement of Tinubu.

At a recent public lecture at the University of Uyo, Akpabio’s representative praised Eno as the first opposition governor to back Tinubu’s re-election bid, signaling a growing bond between state and federal powers in the South-South.

Governor Oborevwori is said to be awaiting final agreements from APC negotiators before committing. Meanwhile, Fubara’s intended defection was reportedly disrupted by the political turmoil in Rivers State and Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with how he managed the crisis, particularly amid his feud with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

For Governor Fubara, political survival and protecting his governorship remain top priorities.

He has distanced himself from PDP governors’ legal efforts to challenge a possible state of emergency, suggesting a quiet attempt to reconcile with APC stakeholders and potentially cross over.

Significantly, all three governors—Eno, Oborevwori, and Fubara—were absent from the last PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Ibadan.

Their absence is widely seen as symbolic of their gradual disengagement from the opposition party.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu is reportedly maintaining close ties with the Presidency and is still considering the political calculus—whether to support Tinubu openly from within the PDP or defect entirely.

As a loyal PDP member, Mbah’s decision could influence the direction of the party in the Southeast and beyond.

The emerging alliance between Tinubu and select PDP governors has rattled the PDP’s leadership.

There are fears that such defections could cripple the party’s chances in the 2027 elections. High-level meetings are being proposed within the PDP to stem the tide and retain strategic members.

However, observers note that the final decisions are not sealed. Some governors are still weighing regional sentiments and political risks.

A potential coalition and emergence of a viable Southern candidate from within the opposition could shift their loyalties again, especially in regions where APC remains unpopular.

In a parallel move to solidify his northern base, President Tinubu is reportedly scheduled to meet this weekend in London with a prominent opposition leader from Kano and a key northern monarch.

Another strategic meeting involving a former president is also in the works, as part of Tinubu’s broader agenda to regain favor in northern Nigeria—where analysts say his standing has weakened since 2023.

The unfolding political maneuvering, spearheaded by Senate President Akpabio and backed by the Presidency, signals a new phase of realignment that could redraw Nigeria’s political map ahead of the 2027 contest.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a passionate Easter message to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to rescue Nigerians from the depths of suffering, insecurity, and economic hardship.

Drawing a stark comparison to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Bishop Kukah said Nigerians have been “dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long.”

In his words: “We all admit that you neither erected this cross nor did you effect our collective crucifixion.”

“Notwithstanding, Nigerians have been dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long. A culture of cynicism and self-doubt over our capacity to secure peace for ourselves pervades our land.”

The revered cleric acknowledged that hope remains essential, especially for Christians. “Indeed, a majority of our citizens feel that there is no hope in sight. However, for us as Christians, Hope is the anchor on which we hang all our hopes (Heb. 6:19). Now is the time to re-enkindle and renew that hope.”

Kukah painted a grim picture of the nation’s security landscape, warning of the threat posed by armed criminals.

“The road to our collective discouragement in Nigeria has been laid by marauders, murderers, savages and ravenous predators who threaten to overrun our nation. Mr. President, immediately rid our dear country of these forces of darkness and bring us down from this cross of cynicism.”

Food insecurity also featured in his Easter address, as he called for urgent reforms and an end to palliative approaches.

“Mr. President, hunger, sickness and desolation stalk the land. We still believe removing the subsidies was the right decision. We note that the country now has a huge volume of resources in its domestic reserves.”

He continued: “For over ten years now, farming has become one of the most hazardous pre-occupations in our country. I restate the obvious by warning that mere palliative distribution diminishes the dignity of citizens.”

“We have remained between the rock of self-doubt and the hard place of hopelessness. Make food security a fundamental human right to all citizens. Mr. President, please bring us down from this painful cross of hunger.”

On the issue of insecurity, Kukah reiterated the role political actors may have played in nurturing violence for political gain.

“Some years back, some of our public officers confessed that they brought our current killers into our country as a strategy for upstaging the government of the day and to gain power. Strange as it may sound, today we have watched as the cancer of insecurity and violence have metastasized. Now, this cancer threatens the very foundation of our common humanity.”

Describing how banditry and kidnappings have become deeply rooted in daily life, he warned: “The bandits have not only become embedded in every sphere of our lives, they threaten to destroy all that holds our communities together.”

“This self-destructive cancer has invaded our communities and kidnapping is a now a dog whistle for undermining the very structure and foundation of our country. We now hang on the cross at the mercy of these forces of darkness. Mr. President, please, bring us down from this cross of insecurity.”

Bishop Kukah further appealed for collective resolve, highlighting that most Nigerians desire peace and unity. “We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” he said.

“We are confident that a majority of the citizens of our country want to live in peace with one another. However, allowing this insecurity to persists will undermine all forms of goodwill that this or any government in Nigeria espouses.”

The Bishop also expressed worry that national frustration is reaching critical levels.

“We have all the ingredients to create a toxic mix of violence that can spin out of control. Right now, frustration has penetrated every spectrum of our society especially as the government and its security agencies seem to have largely become spectators in the dance of death that has overtaken our country.”

He raised a probing question about the root of the security crisis: “We are in a dilemma now and the question is simple: is the persistence of the insecurity a statement of the lack of capacity of our men and women in uniform, or is it evidence that those at the top are reaping the fruits of funding their own war machine? In other words, are Nigerians lambs being sacrificed to an unknown god? Mr. President, step up, get to the finishing line and bring us down from this cross of shame.”

Bishop Kukah concluded his message by wishing President Tinubu a happy Easter and urging all Nigerians to renew their dedication to nation-building.

Former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, Prof. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam, has called on Christians and political leaders to emulate the selfless life and sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus Christ, especially as the world celebrates Easter.

In a goodwill message made available to journalists on Sunday, Prof. Nnam described Easter as a season of deep spiritual reflection and a timely reminder of the values that should shape both personal and public life — love, humility, service, and sacrifice.

He noted that Christ’s willingness to lay down His life for the good of humanity remains the highest form of leadership and should inspire political actors to prioritize the collective interest over personal gain.

“As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I urge Christians and politicians alike to reflect on the message of Easter — that true greatness lies in service and sacrifice.”

“Jesus Christ, though divine, humbled Himself and gave His life so others might live. That is the essence of leadership,” Nnam said.

The former commissioner also used the opportunity to call for unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, stressing that a nation bound by love and mutual respect will overcome its challenges.

He prayed for continued peace in Enugu State and across the country, while wishing all Christians a joyful and spiritually fulfilling Easter celebration.

Hon. Barr. John Edeh (Okaa Oburuzo) 

The Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State has suffered yet another setback following the defection of its former House of Representatives candidate for Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, Barr. John Edeh, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), DAILY GAZETTE reports.

This development comes barely weeks after the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, also parted ways with the LP.

Announcing his decision at the state secretariat of the party on Saturday, Barr. Edeh said his defection was borne out of a deep conviction that the Labour Party had strayed from its original ideals and had become increasingly disconnected from the needs and aspirations of the people it once vowed to represent.

Edeh further expressed confidence in his new political home, the APC, stating that the party is better positioned to deliver democratic dividends and attract investments into the state.

He was received by the state chairman of APC, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah and other prominent APC leaders who welcomed his move as “a major boost to the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts.”

As at the time of filing this report, the Labour Party leadership in the state has yet to officially react to Edeh’s defection.

The Cross River State House of Assembly has formally passed the Senior Citizens Center Bill, 2025, into law—signaling a major policy shift towards enhancing the welfare of elderly residents in the state.

Initially presented on August 1, 2023, the bill progressed through its second reading by August 10 and was later referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions, and Conflict Resolution for further consideration.

Presenting the report on behalf of the committee, the Deputy Leader and Chairman, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta (Abi), highlighted the essence of the proposed legislation.

“The bill seeks to establish a residential center for elderly individuals who lack the means or support to live independently. Sadly, many aged men and women are seen wandering the streets, having been abandoned or labeled as witches and ostracized from their communities.”

“This bill aims to provide them with a safe, supportive environment, complete with access to medical care and recreational facilities.” Etta stated.

Following the passage of the bill, its Lead Sponsor and Member representing Yakurr II State Constituency, Hon. Mercy Mbang Akpama, expressed deep satisfaction over the development.

“I feel both happy and fulfilled. Though the bill was introduced before I joined the Assembly, I took it up as a priority. Just a few days ago, senior citizens across the country celebrated themselves—those aged 60 and above.”

“It was a beautiful moment. Growing old is a privilege, and those who have served this nation deserve dignity, not neglect,” she stated.

As the only female member of the 10th Assembly, Hon. Akpama extended her gratitude to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Judiciary Committee, and her fellow lawmakers for their united support in ensuring the bill’s approval.

She voiced optimism that Governor Senator Bassey Otu would assent to the legislation, noting its alignment with the state government’s people-oriented policy framework.

She further explained that the newly passed bill is a localized version of a federal law previously enacted during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Once operational, the care center will function under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Welfare.