Except a miracle happens, Nigerians may be witnessing the final active days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Only a deep internal recalibration can prevent the opposition from total collapse. Yet, given Nigeria’s current political culture, the once-mighty party seems to be in its dying phase — with only a few governors still holding the fort.
Once controlling 11 states as of May 29, 2023, the PDP has seen its ranks shrink to just eight governors. In less than three years, the party’s strength has been eroded by a wave of defections unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history — a crisis that has raised serious questions about loyalty, ideology, and the future of opposition politics.
Defiance Amid Collapse
Despite the exodus, a handful of PDP governors have refused to abandon ship. These men — the party’s last visible symbols of resilience — seem ready to either survive the storm or sink with the vessel.
At the onset of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the PDP controlled 11 states: Oyo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Rivers, Benue, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Taraba, Bayelsa, and Plateau. But political pressure, patronage, and opportunism soon took their toll.
Among those who have crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Umoh Eno (Akwa Ibom). Their defections, analysts say, have weakened the PDP’s institutional coherence and public credibility ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Danger of a One-Party State
The collapse of the PDP carries broader implications for Nigeria’s democracy. With governors defecting to the ruling camp in pursuit of political survival, the opposition risks becoming a hollow shell — leaving the country teetering toward one-party dominance.
Makinde: The Lone Southern Pillar
In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde stands as the PDP’s last stronghold in the South-West — a man whose blend of pragmatism, independence, and performance-based politics has earned him rare respect across divides.
Unlike many who fled under pressure, Makinde has stayed put, combining loyalty with strategic autonomy. His focus on infrastructure, education, and security in Oyo has made him politically self-sufficient and less reliant on federal patronage.
Observers see Makinde as the possible moral face of a reformed opposition — a bridge between old politics and the multiparty future Nigeria needs. While whispers persist that he may eye the 2027 presidential ticket, his current mission appears clear: to keep the PDP relevant and credible.
Bala Mohammed: The Northern Anchor
In Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed has quietly become the North’s stabilising force for the PDP. A former senator and FCT minister, Bala has resisted pressure to defect, choosing instead to consolidate the party’s hold in the North-East through governance and inclusivity.
Though accused by critics of playing both sides, Bala’s defenders say his approach — engaging the APC-led federal government while maintaining PDP’s identity — is strategic survival, not betrayal.
Ahmadu Fintiri: The Fighter from Adamawa
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa represents the new generation of pragmatic opposition leaders. His doggedness during the 2023 elections, when he resisted an intense APC challenge, reinforced his reputation as a grassroots mobilizer and youth-friendly reformer.
Fintiri insists that a healthy democracy requires a strong opposition and has consistently rejected pressure to defect, saying leadership means “standing firm when it matters.”
The Last Men Standing
Together, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Ahmadu Fintiri form what many now call “the trinity of PDP survival.” Alongside Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, Zamfara’s Dauda Lawal, Plateau’s Caleb Muftwang, and Osun’s Ademola Adeleke, they represent what’s left of the party’s relevance nationwide.
Whether they can rebuild or merely delay the inevitable remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — as defections continue to batter the PDP, these few governors are all that stand between Nigeria’s democracy and the rise of a one-party state.
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