By OBSERVERS TIMES
Emerging reports indicate that several governors from Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the southern region are poised to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid for 2027.
This shift appears to align with efforts to maintain Nigeria’s informal North-South power rotation arrangement. High-level consultations among political heavyweights suggest that defections from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may occur in the coming months.
A source familiar with the discussions revealed to Leadership that the support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition is being framed 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 stated.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has already defected to the APC, while Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno recently hinted at aligning himself with Tinubu’s camp, using the metaphor of not wanting to fly in a “faulty plane,” widely interpreted as a critique of the PDP’s internal strife.
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 stronghold for the PDP, the South has seen a gradual decline in its PDP base since 2015, with the APC making significant inroads.
One South-South governor, currently in his second term, reportedly held discussions with leaders of his ethnic group last week to finalize plans to publicly declare support for Tinubu. This governor, who has faced conflicts 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 actively lobbying his immediate predecessor to join the pro-Tinubu movement. However, the former governor remains hesitant due to unresolved tensions with his own predecessor.
Insiders within the PDP attribute the growing defections to internal instability. Long-standing disputes—especially regarding the position of national secretary—and uncertainty surrounding the party’s zoning formula for 2027 have led to deep frustrations among party members. “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 scheduled to meet on May 27, with critical discussions on leadership restructuring, zoning arrangements, and strategies for the 2027 elections expected to dominate the agenda. Political observers believe the outcome of this meeting will be pivotal in determining whether the party can maintain unity or continue along a path of fragmentation ahead of the upcoming presidential race.
