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Mbah, Diri’s defection reduces PDP to eight governors nationwide
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By Prosper Olayiwola
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered another major setback as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further diminishing the opposition party’s strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The twin defections, announced less than 24 hours apart, have reduced the PDP’s control from 11 to nine states, cementing the APC’s dominance with 24 governors nationwide.
The Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) now govern one state each.
Enugu, Bayelsa Governors Cross to Ruling Party
Governor Mbah announced his defection on Tuesday in Enugu, saying his decision was driven by a desire to align with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His declaration was immediately welcomed by the APC National Chairman and other top party leaders.
Barely a day later, Governor Diri confirmed his own exit from the PDP during a press conference in Yenagoa, describing his defection as “a matter of political reality and obvious reasons.”
Party insiders say both governors had faced mounting internal pressure over disagreements with the PDP leadership at the national level.
PDP Now Controls Only Eight States
Following the latest wave of defections, the PDP is now left with just eight governors — a historic low for the party that once ruled Nigeria for 16 consecutive years (1999–2015).
As of Wednesday, the remaining PDP governors are:
Adamawa – Ahmadu Fintiri (North-East)
Bauchi – Bala Mohammed (North-East)
Plateau – Caleb Mutfwang (North-Central)
Taraba – Agbu Kefas (North-Central)
Zamfara – Dauda Lawal (North-West)
Oyo – Seyi Makinde (South-West)
Osun – Ademola Adeleke (South-West)
Rivers – Siminalayi Fubara (South-South)
More Defections Loom as Party Faces Internal Crisis
Sources within the PDP hinted that more defections could follow in the coming weeks, with reports suggesting that at least two sitting governors are in talks with the ruling APC.
Among those linked to possible defection is Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, though his aides have dismissed the rumours as “false and politically motivated.”
Analysts say the PDP’s declining influence reflects deep-seated internal divisions, unresolved leadership disputes, and regional realignments ahead of 2027.
APC Consolidates Grip Ahead of 2027 Elections
The APC’s growing control over 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states underscores its widening political reach and may give it a decisive advantage going into the next election cycle.
Party strategists say the defection of influential governors like Mbah and Diri will boost the ruling party’s strength in both the South-East and South-South, where the APC has been seeking to expand its foothold.
News
NNPC slashes petrol price twice within four days
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has slashed its fuel pump price for the second time within four days.
A market survey on Saturday by DAILY POST showed that NNPCL retail outlets around Airport Junction and Wuse Zone 6 (Berger) in Abuja have reduced their petrol price to N1210 per litre, down from N1260.
This means that the state-owned oil firm slashed the petrol price by N50 per litre.
This comes barely two days after Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by N50 to N1,125 per litre.
Recall that four days ago, NNPCL had adjusted its fuel price pump by N75 per litre to N1260.
With the latest drop by NNPCL retail outlets, petrol prices stand between N1210 per litre and N1305 per litre in Abuja and its environs.
The reduction in domestic fuel comes amid falling crude oil prices, which stand at $69 per barrel and $71 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively, following the easing of the conflict in the Middle East.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has kept mum amid the clamour by Nigerians for a commensurate drop in domestic fuel pump prices due to the significant reduction in crude oil prices.
News
Lokoja Court order: INEC speaks on NDC, says it’s yet to receive CTC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.
INEC revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
According to the commission, although it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on June 26, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified copy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.
INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.
“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.
Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.
The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.
The ruling has also attracted reactions from opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels.
INEC, however, maintained that it would reserve its position on the judgment until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy.
News
Just in: Police rescue five abductees in Ogun
A joint police operation rescued five victims abducted near Ogbere Forest in Ogun state on Wednesday.
They were rescued within 25 hours by the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands, which were part of a joint operation codenamed KOSAYE, meaning “No Space” in Yoruba.
The woman was among the victims who were shot in the incident. Her daughter and sister were among those rescued by the police on Thursday.
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