Nigeria's political landscape is set for another major shakeup as a fourth Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor is preparing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to multiple sources close to the development.
Political Tsunami Hits Opposition Camp
The planned defection, which sources indicate could happen as early as May 2024, represents a significant blow to the main opposition party ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. This would mark the fourth PDP governor to cross over to the APC in recent times, following similar moves by their counterparts from Ebonyi, Cross River, and Zamfara states.
Mounting Pressure on PDP Leadership
Political analysts suggest this developing trend signals growing discontent within the PDP ranks and could substantially alter the balance of power between Nigeria's two major political parties. The defection is expected to further strengthen APC's dominance across the country's six geopolitical zones.
Strategic Moves Before 2027
Insiders reveal that the planned crossover is part of broader strategic realignments within Nigerian politics as parties position themselves for the next electoral cycle. The move follows Senate President Godswill Akpabio's recent declaration that more PDP governors would soon join the APC fold.
The defecting governor's state is expected to benefit from increased federal attention and developmental projects following the political switch, according to political observers familiar with such cross-carpeting scenarios in Nigeria's political history.
Regional Political Implications
This development comes amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria's political ecosystem, where party loyalty often shifts based on changing political calculations and access to federal resources. The defection could trigger similar movements among state and federal lawmakers from the affected region.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, all eyes remain on Nigeria's political arena where such defections could ultimately determine the outcome of the next presidential election and shape the country's governance direction for years to come.
