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More than 6,000 members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, led by the NDC’s former Enugu State Contact and Mobilisation Coordinator, Godwin Obasi, were formally received into the PDP by the party’s state leadership in Enugu on Saturday.
The reported figure of more than 6,000 was given by the defectors’ leadership and has not been independently verified. �
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Obasi said the group comprised members drawn from all 260 electoral wards and 17 local government areas of the state.
He said they decided to leave the NDC following dissatisfaction with what he described as the party’s choice of unpopular candidates for various elective positions.
“We decided that we were going to join the PDP. It is our right and choice. So, after we congregated, we are here today to officially join the PDP.
“We are from all the 260 wards and 17 local government areas in the state, and all of us have moved into the PDP from today,” Obasi said.
Obasi had earlier been identified as the NDC’s state coordinator for contact and mobilisation in Enugu, where he was involved in building the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections. �
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Receiving the defectors, the Enugu State PDP Chairman, Vitus Okechi, welcomed their decision and assured them of equal rights and full participation in the affairs of the party.
Okechi said the new members would be integrated into the party’s structure and given opportunities to participate in its activities.
Also speaking, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Uche Nnaji, assured the defectors of their full integration into the party.
Nnaji used the occasion to launch fresh criticism against the Enugu State Government, alleging that the administration had failed to fulfil some of its promises to residents.

He urged residents to participate actively in what he described as efforts to change the political direction of the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
Nnaji particularly criticised the state’s taxation policies, alleging that the government’s revenue drive was placing undue pressure on residents without corresponding benefits.

He further alleged that taxation had extended to newborn babies and deceased persons, while questioning the tangible impact of the revenue generated by the government.
On pensions and gratuities, Nnaji alleged that retirees in the state were being denied their entitlements.

“Our pensioners are not being paid. Enugu is the only place where pensions and gratuities are not being paid to our people.

“Nothing is paid to our people. Everybody is in a mess.

“Imo and Anambra pay their pensions and gratuities to date. What sin have we committed in Enugu State?” he asked.

Nnaji also claimed that the Enugu State Government had received substantially more federal funds under President Bola Tinubu than the three previous administrations combined.

He alleged that the funds received in about three years exceeded what the administrations of former governors Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi received during their combined 24 years in office.

“And President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has released so much money to all the states. What this government here has received is more than what the three previous governors, Chimaroke, Sullivan and Ugwuanyi put together.

“What they received in 24 years, this government has received in about three years. We are talking of trillions,” he said.

He also questioned the level of internally generated revenue reported by the Enugu State Government in 2025, alleging that the revenue collection had imposed additional hardship on residents.

The allegations made by Nnaji were political claims made during the defection event and were not independently verified in the reports reviewed. �
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Meanwhile, PDP chieftain Basil Ani described the movement of the NDC members into the PDP as a boost to the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development comes as political parties in Enugu intensify grassroots mobilisation and positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has reportedly died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77.

Sources revealed the development on Sunday, September 20, 2026, although details surrounding his reported death were still sketchy as of press time.

There was also no immediate official statement from the family confirming the report.

Idris, popularly known as “Ibro,” served as governor of Kogi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2003 to 2008 and again from 2008 to 2012.

He was succeeded by Captain Idris Wada in January 2012.

Born in Idah, Kogi State, in 1949, Idris had his early education in Onitsha, Anambra State, before continuing his primary education in Kano.

He later attended King’s Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abuja.

Before entering politics, Idris built a career as a businessman.

He founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests spanning construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.

He also established a furniture factory in Sokoto and the Ibro Hotel, which has been described in biographical accounts as one of the notable early three-star hotels in the former Sokoto State.

Idris emerged as the PDP candidate for the Kogi State governorship election in 2003 and defeated the incumbent governor, Prince Abubakar Audu.

He was sworn in as governor on May 29, 2003.

Although he was re-elected in 2007, the election was later nullified following a legal challenge over the exclusion of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Abubakar Audu.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election.

Idris subsequently contested the March 2008 re-run election and was returned as governor, although his victory was again challenged by Audu, who alleged electoral irregularities.

Idris completed his tenure in January 2012 and handed over to his successor, Captain Idris Wada.

Family tragedy

The former governor also attracted national attention in 2006 after three of his daughters survived the ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash, which claimed numerous lives.

Following the incident, Idris described the survival of his daughters as a “superlative show of mercy” from God and called for thanksgiving.

In April 2024, Idris suffered another major family loss when his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives, died in Abuja shortly after observing Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

Mohammed represented the Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. His death was confirmed by the Kogi State Government and reported by several Nigerian media organisations.

As of press time, confirmation of the reported death of the former governor from his family or an official source was still being awaited.

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…says this loss to me is particularly poignant

A Board of Trustees, BoT member of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and 2027 Kogi West Senatorial candidate, Hon TeeJay Yusuf has expressed sadness over the demise of former Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris.

Yusuf in a condolence message he personally signed said:

“I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, former Governor of Kogi State.

“For me, this loss is particularly poignant. I had the privilege of knowing Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and crossing paths with him in the course of our political and public service journey in Kogi State.

“His presence in our political space, his experience, and his years of service gave him a distinctive place in the history of our state.

“Alhaji Ibrahim Idris leaves behind a significant political legacy. He was part of the generation of leaders who helped shape Kogi State’s political evolution and contributed to the development of our democratic institutions.

“His tenure and years of engagement in public affairs will remain important chapters in the story of Kogi State. Like every leader who serves in public life, his record will continue to be remembered, discussed, and assessed against the times in which he served.

“Beyond politics and the offices he held, he was a father, elder, leader, and statesman whose life touched many people. His departure is therefore a profound loss to his family, Kogi State, and the wider community of people who knew and respected him.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, associates, and the entire people of Kogi State. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

“May Allah grant his family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“May his memory remain a blessing, and may the legacy of his service continue to endure. Ameen.