2027: Southern PDP governors set to join APC, declare support for Tinubu

Fresh indications suggest that more governors from Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the southern region may throw their support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

This emerging trend appears tied to efforts to uphold Nigeria’s informal North-South power rotation arrangement.

Credible sources reveal that high-level consultations are ongoing among political heavyweights, pointing to likely defections from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming months.

A source familiar with the discussions told Leadership that support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition is being positioned as a matter of geopolitical fairness.

“Southern PDP governors are expected to back Tinubu primarily to preserve the North-South power balance. Just as Buhari completed two terms for the North, many believe Tinubu should be allowed to do the same for the South,” the source said.

Already, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has defected to the APC, while Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno recently hinted at moving closer to Tinubu’s camp. He used the metaphor of not wanting to fly in a “faulty plane,” widely interpreted as a jab at the PDP’s internal turmoil.

Currently, six PDP governors remain in the South: Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers).

Once a PDP stronghold, the South has seen a steady erosion of its PDP base since 2015, with the APC making consistent gains.

One South-South governor, now in his second term, reportedly held talks with leaders of his ethnic group last week to finalise plans to declare support for Tinubu. The governor, who has been at loggerheads with key PDP figures in his state, is expected to make his defection official soon.

Another South-South governor, who has already pledged support for Tinubu, is said to be lobbying his immediate predecessor to join the pro-Tinubu movement. However, the former governor remains reluctant due to unresolved tensions with his own predecessor.

Party insiders say that internal instability within the PDP is fueling the defections. Long-standing disputes—particularly over the position of national secretary—and uncertainty over the party’s zoning formula for 2027 have created deep frustrations.

“The internal wrangling and lack of direction are pushing many stakeholders to consider other options. Some governors no longer view the PDP as a viable platform for the next election,” the source added.

The PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to meet on May 27, with key issues such as leadership restructuring, zoning arrangements, and strategies for 2027 expected to dominate the agenda.

Political observers believe the outcome of the NEC meeting will be critical in determining whether the party can remain united—or continue down a path of fragmentation ahead of the next presidential race.