ABUJA, Nigeria — In a move to address mounting internal tensions and a growing wave of defections, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a high-level strategy meeting in Abuja on Sunday, May 11, 2025, alongside former governors, National Assembly leaders, and other senior stakeholders.
The meeting, held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, was convened by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Discussions focused on stabilising the party and forging a unified front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The gathering comes in the wake of recent high-profile defections, including those of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, both of whom defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) along with the PDP’s state structure.
Additionally, three PDP senators from Kebbi State—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—crossed to the APC following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Present at the meeting were Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Notably absent were Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara—highlighting widening cracks within the party’s leadership.
The PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, and several former governors, including Seriake Dickson, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Liyel Imoke, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Achike Udenwa, also participated.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former FCT Minister Udom Emmanuel were in attendance, as was Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, whose continued influence in party affairs remains contentious.
While details of the meeting were not officially disclosed, sources said deliberations centred on halting defections, resolving internal disputes within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), and strengthening structures ahead of off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun States.
Also on the agenda was the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and preparations for the PDP’s National Elective Convention.
Party leaders reportedly debated whether to pursue a coalition strategy with other opposition parties or prioritise internal consolidation.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Mazi Paul Ibe, has raised concerns over internal resistance to Atiku’s efforts to unify the PDP.
Speaking with Vanguard, Ibe accused unnamed party insiders of working with the APC to sabotage reform efforts and derail preparations for the 2027 elections.
“Atiku has put in a lot of effort to build the party, but he cannot do it alone,” Ibe said.
“When people sabotage his work and try to hand the party over to the APC, the failure is not his but theirs.”
Responding to suggestions that Atiku should not run in 2027, Ibe noted, “Everyone has the right to his opinion… Let them bring out their candidate and work for that person. That is what democracy is about.”
He criticised the APC-led government for failing to address insecurity, economic hardship, and poor governance.
“In April, the President was having a good time in France, a country built by the hard work of its people, while Nigerians were being killed at home,” Ibe said.
He added that the national conversation should shift away from Atiku’s political future and focus instead on holding the current administration accountable.
