Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde plan to leave PDP for APC and ADC amid party crisis and INEC deadlines
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, are reportedly preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before April, sources have confirmed.
Also read: Bala Mohammed, Seyi Makinde Set to Quit PDP Amid Defections
The moves follow a protracted leadership tussle within the opposition party, which has seen a steady stream of defections since the 2023 general elections.
To date, nine governors, 19 senators, and 47 members of the House of Representatives have departed, citing internal crises.
A source familiar with developments disclosed that Bala Mohammed is set to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while Makinde has finalised plans to move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“All the PDP leaders are leaving. Bala Mohammed is already in APC, Makinde is on his way to ADC,” the source said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified pressure on politicians to conclude their party affiliations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Under the revised timetable, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
Political parties must submit their membership registers to INEC between April 1 and April 21, 2026, as required by Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Party primaries, including the resolution of any disputes, are scheduled to begin on April 23 and end on May 30, 2026.
Section 84 of the Electoral Act mandates that primaries be conducted democratically to nominate candidates for the elections.
Also read: Bauchi PDP Says Governor Bala Mohammed No Longer a Member
The looming deadlines have placed additional urgency on PDP leaders considering defection, as alignment with a new party is necessary to meet registration and nomination requirements.
