Nigeria’s opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lost two more governors in addition to the five who left earlier this year with the defection on Tuesday of Rivers State’s Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Osun State’s Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Rivers State’s Governor Fubara announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while days after resigning from PDP, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke announced his defection to Accord party.
By the defections of Tuesday, Nigerian parties to governors’ tally shows:
- APC (26 states)
- PDP (6 states)
- APGA (1 state)
- Labour (1 state)
- NNPP (1 state)
- A (1 state)
In October 2025, Enugu State’s Governor Peter Mbah defected to APC.
The Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, also left the party for the ruling APC in October 2025.
Akwa Ibom’s Governor Umo Eno formally left the PDP and joined APC early June 2025.
In April 2025, Delta State’s Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and all PDP members in Delta defected to APC.
Fubara announced the move at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in the state capital, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
At the announcement Tuesday evening, Fubara and other members chanted Tinubu’s pet political song: “On your mandate we shall stand.”
Some 17 members of the State House of Assembly, including the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, had defected to the APC on Friday.
Ahead of his defection, Fubara held a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday.
Adeleke also announced his decision to run for a second term in office on the platform of the ‘thumb up’ party.
The Governor made the announcement on Tuesday, December 9, at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Osogbo, in the presence of national and state leaders of the Accord Party.
While announcing his defection, Governor Adeleke said: “Today, we unveiled the Accord Party, our new platform for the good people of Osun State. From Osun West to Osun East to Osun Central, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year.
“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago precisely 6th November, 2025, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026. This was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.
“Stakeholders and residents of Osun State are aware of why we are taking this important decision. We intend to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party to complete ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends, which have been applauded at home and abroad.
“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare. Since I joined, I have been fascinated by the philosophy of this great party. The primary essence of a government is the welfare and well being of the people.
“I welcome the leadership of the Accord from the National into Osun State. You are now part of us as I am also now part of you. We are united in progress and good intentions for the good people of Osun State and Nigeria at large.
“Our task is to sustain a united front as we prepare for future elections. We have a duty to ensure an inclusive leadership where the interests of all groups are cared for. Our party, Accord Party, is here to take over Osun governance and sustain the delivery of good governance in our dear state.”
