The development has, however, ignited fears of a one-party state, with opposition leaders condemning the mass movement to the ruling party.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, dismissed the defections as acts of desperation by politicians seeking personal survival.

They declared that the “battle line is drawn,” vowing that Nigerians will “take their pound of flesh” at the polls by voting out President Tinubu APC for allegedly deepening the country’s hardship and decline.

According to reports, top APC officials, who are privy to the ongoing political manoeuvring, say that more governors from the South would soon declare for the ruling party.

Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State and his Bayelsa counterpart defected from the PDP to the APC alongside the members of the State Executive Council.

Diri’s resignation comes just days after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed concern over the growing number of governors and senior party figures crossing to the APC.

Party insiders hinted that Governors Siminalayi Fubara and Alex Otti of Rivers and Abia States may soon switch to the APC.

Also, Governors Caleb Mutfwang  (Plateau) and Agbu Kefas of Taraba are reportedly warming up to join the Tinubu-led political camp ahead of 2027.

A senior party official disclosed that Otti, Fubara and Diri are set to defect to the APC, noting that several northern governors were equally preparing to join the ruling party.

He stated, “The APC is attracting them all. I am aware that discussions are ongoing with other PDP governors from the South. Soon, the governors of Abia, Rivers, and even Diri, who just resigned from the PDP, will join the APC.

“This development is not limited to the South, as some governors from the North, particularly the North Central and North East, are already finalising talks to join the ruling party.”

Another party insider explained that Kefas and  Muftwang are set to defect to the APC soon.

He stated, “They just want to reduce the influence of the PDP. We are aware they are discussing with the Taraba and Plateau State governors, so they will join others in the APC.”

Read Also: Kwankwaso Dismisses Defection Rumours, Reaffirms Commitment to NNPP

Speaking in Abuja after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed admitted that the defections had unsettled the party, though he said efforts were ongoing to keep it united ahead of the November 15–16 national convention 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 determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.”

Source: Punch

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Atiku’s resignation came after admitting to the formation of the Alliance Democratic Congress, ADC, a coalition party seeking to unseat the incumbent administration.

The resignation was communicated in a letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

A copy of the letter was shared on X by the Special Assistant to the Media of the former Vice President on Wednesday.

Recall that Atiku and some other key stakeholders had recently joined a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying they are a better political option for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

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“I’m totally and completely committed to ADC, but, as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go collect a card. I want to do so with noise and fanfare,” she affirmed.

Responding to questions about her confidence in ADC’s leadership and the evolving political coalition she is joining, Kingibe expressed optimism while acknowledging that the party is still in its formative stages.

On whether her defection could cost her Senate seat based on constitutional provisions, the senator argued that the internal crisis and the existence of two clear factions within the Labour Party legally justify her decision to leave.

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Aregbesola made the call in Lagos following the launch of the ADC, a coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a post on his social media accounts, the former Osun State Governor thanked supporters who greeted him at the Lagos airport.

Aregbesola advised them not to engage in fighting, attacking, or insulting anyone, emphasizing that the task ahead of them is considerable.

The former Minister of Interior said that when supporters of the ruling party attack them, they should challenge them with facts about the state of the country.

“I sincerely thank our supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who came out to receive me on my arrival in Lagos. The task before us is immense, and I reminded everyone that we do not need to fight, insult, or attack anyone.

“When others resort to abuse or name-calling, we must rise above it. Instead, ask them one simple question: Are Nigerians better off today than they were before? Challenge them with facts  on food inflation, the economy, the rising cost of living, and the deepening poverty affecting millions,” the statement read in part.

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Fasure, who made this known while featuring on Rédíò Afínjú’s current affairs programme ‘Gbagede Ọrọ’ following the appointment of Rauf Aregbesola as the interim national secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, added that Aregbesola was appointed into the leadership position as a result of wide acceptance from the Party.

Recall that Rédíò Afínjú had earlier reported that Former Senate President David Mark and the immediate past Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola have both been appointed into leadership positions in the ADC.

He debunked claims that Aregbesola supported Adeleke in the last gubernatorial election in the State, emphasizing that some rejected All Progressives Congress, APC, loyalists aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking on Aregbesola’s rift with President Bola Tinubu, Fasure mentioned that all efforts to reconcile the two have been futile, noting that the dispute may remain unresolved.

He, further encouraged interested democrats and citizens to join the party’s mission to restore hope and unseat the incumbent administration.

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The former Senate President who played a key role in shaping the PDP since its inception, announced his resignation in a letter.

Redio Afinju had earlier reported that David Mark and the immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has been appointed into leadership positions in the Alliance Democratic Congress, ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Read Also:  David Mark, Aregbesola, Abdullahi get positions as coalition adopts ADC

This development follows his recent appointment as one of the interim leaders of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress, ADC, a move that signals a shift in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

In his resignation letter addressed to the PDP leadership in Otukpo Ward 1, Benue State, Mark cited the party’s deep-seated leadership crisis and irreconcilable differences as the reasons behind his departure.

“The irreconcilable differences in the PDP have subjected the party to public ridicule and reduced it to a shadow of its former self,” he noted.

Reflecting on his loyalty and contributions to the PDP over the years, Mark stated:
“I bring warm greetings to you and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Otukpo Ward 1, and by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.

You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP. Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.

“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians,” he affirmed.

However, he lamented that recent internal conflicts have severely weakened the party.

“Recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule,” he added.

Mark said the decision to leave the PDP came after extensive consultations with family, political allies, and close associates.

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Fubara stated that he never authorized the production of campaign caps and shirts for the 2027 election.

Speaking with his followers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, the suspended governor said he wants peace so that he can grow.

 “I was pissed off. Someone forwarded a video to me showing where they were producing campaign materials—caps and shirts—for the 2027 general elections.

“I am not aware of it, and I did not authorize or send anyone. Everyone of us should understand that we have done our best, and what we need now is this peace for us to grow,” he said.

His comment comes after President Bola Tinubu resolved the political crisis in Rivers State.

Fubara’s political conflict with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory resulted in his six-month suspension.

However, the president resolved the crisis last week during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

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Speaking during an interview on National Television, Saraki addressed the internal crises affecting the PDP, while offering insight into the party’s strategy for recovery and unity. He also weighed in on broader developments within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Reacting to the wave of defections hitting the PDP in recent weeks, Saraki admitted that the situation was far from over.

“At this time, PDP would likely see one or two more defections. And we should prepare ourselves for that. There is a possibility. Maybe Fubara, maybe others, the worst is not yet. We haven’t seen the worst of the defections for PDP,” he said.

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Audu made this statement while he featured on National Television.
The APC Rebirth Movement Convener blasted President Tinubu for granting access to an Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, and a Lagos politician, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, while he couldn’t get his attention.

“I worked for the President for nearly two years. I didn’t have a sit-down with him. I’m one of his spokespersons. But he sat with Davido, who insulted him a couple of weeks before. Then he sat with that Jandor, who didn’t even come second in the Lagos election. It doesn’t make sense,” he stated.

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“Whatever the President asks me to do, I will do it 100 per cent. He is my political father. If he calls on me to work with him, I will simply say, ‘Thank you, sir’ and I will do it,” he said.

The Kano-born lawmaker stressed that it was too early to talk about 2027 politics, saying the focus now should be on governance and supporting the President’s efforts to develop the country.

Barau added that some groups pushing for him to be vice president meant well, but he had advised them to focus on supporting Tinubu’s administration instead of engaging in premature politicking.

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