Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are expected to leave the Peoples Democratic Party before April 2026 as political realignments continue ahead of the next general elections.
Reports indicate that both governors have concluded plans to move to different political parties amid the ongoing crisis within the opposition party.
The possible defections come at a time when the PDP is facing internal disputes linked to leadership disagreements and court cases that have continued to divide members.
According to information from a source familiar with developments in the party, Bala Mohammed is preparing to join the All Progressives Congress, while Seyi Makinde is said to be planning a move to the African Democratic Congress.
The developments follow a series of defections by governors who were previously elected under the PDP platform since the 2023 general elections.
The first major defection occurred in April 2025 when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori left the party and joined the APC. In June 2025, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno also moved to the ruling party. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah later joined the APC in October 2025.
The trend continued when Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri switched to the APC in November 2025. In December 2025, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara also left the PDP for the ruling party.
Early in 2026, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri all followed the same path and joined the APC.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke also left the PDP but chose the Accord Party in December 2025. Meanwhile, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal is also believed to be preparing to leave the PDP. Reports indicate that he may officially join the APC shortly after the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Defections have not been limited to governors alone. Many lawmakers at the federal level have also moved from the PDP to the ruling party since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023.
Records gathered by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre up to January 2026 show that sixty-six federal lawmakers elected under the PDP platform have switched to the APC. This number includes nineteen senators and forty-seven members of the House of Representatives.
Political actors planning to change parties are under pressure to complete the process before April because of the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The commission scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
The timetable also states that political parties must conduct their primary elections between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Parties are required to submit their membership registers to the electoral body between April 1 and April 21 in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the register to be submitted not later than twenty-one days before the conduct of party primaries.
Amid the ongoing crisis within the PDP, there are also concerns that the party may struggle to participate fully in the 2027 presidential election. A party member who spoke on the situation explained that the dispute over the validity of the Ibadan convention is still before the courts and may not be resolved before the time for presidential primaries.
The continued legal battle has created uncertainty within the party because different factions are laying claim to leadership positions. The fear among some members is that if separate factions conduct primaries and present candidates, the final decision of the courts could affect which faction is recognised.
The dispute is currently before the Court of Appeal, with one division sitting in Ibadan urging members of the party to resolve their disagreements through dialogue. Another panel of the appellate court in Abuja is expected to deliver judgment on the appeals filed by the opposing factions in the coming days.
The outcome of the court decision is expected to influence the direction of the party as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.