Following the formal defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, to the All Progressives Congress on Friday, there are indications that more governors may soon defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
This was also mentioned by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over the week in Ilorin while speaking with journalists. Governor Umo Eno is the second PDP governor in the South-South region, after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, to join the APC in less than two months.
With the latest defection, there are 23 states with APC governors, 10 states with PDP, and one state each controlled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, and the New Nigeria People’s Party.
However, the APC’s focus is now on Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Unconfirmed report has it that Governor Fintiri met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recently. Fintiri and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are currently on a political crossroads over who succeeds him and on some government policies.
Atiku recently met with Fintiri’s opponent in the 2023 election, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, who had also fallen out with the leadership of the APC in the state after losing the last election in controversial circumstances.
The Enugu State chapter of the PDP has continuously defended Mbah against rumoured defection to the APC, with the state chapter of the party also rejecting him.
However, the same situation played out in Delta State before Oborevwori’s final defection to the APC alongside his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
While the governor’s aides kept debunking the planned defection, the Delta State APC also rejected his planned move.
Oborevwori eventually joined the party at a ceremony witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Umar Ganduje, alongside party governors.
Embattled Rivers State Governor, Fubara met the President in the United Kingdom during his last foreign trip, while a photo of the suspended governor also surfaced online on Sunday after a meeting with Tinubu in Lagos.
Earlier, at a meeting with some stakeholders in the state on May 29, Fubara lauded the President for his “legendary move” to save Rivers.
The President, on March 18, 2025, declared emergency rule in the state, as he suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and state lawmakers.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, also caused a stir after visiting the President at his Lagos residence, sparking debates between the APC and PDP over his rumoured defection.
At the national summit of the APC held on May 22, 2025, Tinubu said the defection of prominent political figures from the opposition parties to the ruling APC was in order, as they were exercising their constitutionally approved democratic rights.
The President also debunked concerns that the action could lead Nigeria toward a one-party state, noting that the defections instead demonstrated the democratic preferences and ambitions of the populace.
“I’m glad about what we have, and I’m expecting more to come. That is the game. We’re in a constitutional democracy.
“Don’t forget that the freedom of movement and the freedom of association are not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean,” he said.
