Several influential governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are preparing to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid, raising concerns about the future of the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
At the center of this political realignment is Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, who recently declared public support for Tinubu. “In Akwa Ibom today, there is no more party politics. We are in a unity party,” Eno said at a public event, signaling a shift in allegiance.
Sources say that Governor Eno’s decision was influenced by pressure to secure his political future, including protecting his re-election chances and shielding his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, from investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged to support Eno’s second term bid. Represented by Saviour Enyiekere at a public lecture in Uyo, Akpabio said, “We will support you in whatever aspiration you have… Yesterday, you broke a record by being the first opposition governor to declare support for a second term bid of President Tinubu.”
Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Peter Mbah of Enugu are also said to be in talks with the APC, weighing whether to support Tinubu while remaining in the PDP or to formally defect. “Oborevwori is waiting for the other party to sign its part of the deal before he commits,” a source revealed.
In Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara is reportedly exploring similar options. His initial plans to defect were delayed due to a political crisis in the state and concerns over President Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with his handling of the situation. Additionally, the strong influence of Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, over the APC structure in Rivers further complicated Fubara’s move.
Despite the ongoing tension, Fubara has taken steps to distance himself from his party’s legal push against the federal government’s actions in the state.
“I would not be a party to any move that could jeopardize my four-year mandate,” he reportedly told fellow governors, hinting at his intent to align with the ruling party.
Observers noted the absence of the three governors at the recent PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Ibadan as a possible sign of their withdrawal. Eno and Oborevwori sent their deputies, while Fubara had no representation.
Meanwhile, the PDP is reportedly alarmed by the developments and is scrambling to stop the defections, fearing a potential collapse of the party’s national influence ahead of 2027. “If this trend continues, it might signal a walkover for Tinubu,” a senior PDP official said.
To further bolster his reelection chances, President Tinubu is said to be holding strategic meetings in London this weekend. One meeting involves a major opposition figure and a respected monarch from Kano State.
Another is expected to include a former president who still wields considerable influence in the North.
“The North gave Tinubu 62% of his votes in 2023. Losing that support could be fatal in 2027,” a senior APC strategist warned.
