The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered significant losses since the 2023 general elections, with a wave of governors defecting to other parties, most notably the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
These defections have fundamentally reshaped the national political landscape and created legal controversies regarding the application of the constitutional provision against defection.
Here is a list of governors who have left the PDP since the 2023 elections:
| Governor | State | Former Party | New Party | Date of Defection (Approximate) | Context / Destination |
| Siminalayi Fubara | Rivers | PDP | APC | December 2025 | Defection followed a months-long political crisis and feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike (FCT Minister, APC). |
| Ademola Adeleke | Osun | PDP | Accord Party | December 2025 | Announced his move to Accord to seek re-election, citing a desire to pursue “independent political interests.” |
| Peter Mbah | Enugu | PDP | APC | October 2025 | Cited a need to align the state with the Federal Government’s vision for development and to attract federal support. |
| Douye Diri | Bayelsa | PDP | APC | October 2025 | Confirmed his exit, citing “obvious reasons” relating to a need for political stability and alignment. |
| Umo Eno | Akwa Ibom | PDP | APC | June 2025 | Defected after consultation, stating a desire to align with the Federal Government and support President Tinubu. |
| Sheriff Oborevwori | Delta | PDP | APC | April 2025 | Moved alongside his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, shifting a traditional PDP stronghold to the APC. |
The exodus of these governors has had major implications for the Nigerian political scene. The PDP, which controlled 14 states before the election, was reduced to 11 states after the 2023 polls, and the recent defections have further shrunk its footprint. The defections leave the party with less political clout and resources to challenge the ruling party.
The APC has consolidated its power across the country, increasing its number of controlled states and governors, particularly in the South-South and South-East regions, which were once firm PDP strongholds.
The defections have renewed calls for the judiciary to definitively rule on the interpretation of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a legislator (and by legal extension, a governor) who defects before their term expires should vacate their seat, unless there is a verifiable split or merger within their original party.
