Amid an escalating wave of defections from its ranks, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) for Tuesday in a bid to halt the growing crisis threatening its structure nationwide, The PUNCH reports.
The defections, long anticipated, reached a critical point with the dramatic exit of former vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the entire PDP structure in Delta, once a party stronghold. Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and grassroots leaders also joined the APC last week after a strategic meeting in Asaba.
The mass exodus, dubbed ‘Hurricane Tinubu’ by some opposition voices, has reignited fears of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party system. With recent high-profile departures, including five-term Osun lawmaker Oluwole Oke, PDP faces severe challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recently reinstated as National Secretary by the Supreme Court, confirmed his attendance at Tuesday’s meeting, despite tensions within the PDP Governors’ Forum led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.
Party insiders said the NWC would focus on addressing the defections, planning upcoming congresses, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, and the National Elective Convention.
“The defections are largely personal,” a senior PDP official told The PUNCH, blaming unresolved internal crises and anti-corruption pressures for the party’s shrinking ranks. “The NWC must devise proactive strategies to reposition PDP.”
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, who has faced growing criticism, is expected to preside over discussions as several state and zonal structures—particularly in the South-South—struggle with disarray.
In an invitation obtained exclusively by The PUNCH, acting Secretary Setonji Koshoedo announced the NWC meeting will be held at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 12 noon on Tuesday, April 29.
Anyanwu, in an exclusive interview, called for unity, urging party members to set aside personal interests to rebuild and reposition PDP ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, party stalwarts like Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former Deputy Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi warned that unless party leaders match words with actions and prioritize reconciliation, the PDP risks further collapse.
“Leaders must leave their high horses,” Osadolor said, proposing internal reforms and suggesting that Nigerian law be amended to prevent elected officials from defecting without consequences.
Odeyemi lamented the divisions paralysing party structures, urging governors and other stakeholders to take ownership of the recovery effort rather than relying on press statements.
APC Rolls Out Red Carpet for Defectors
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to formally welcome Okowa, Oborevwori, and other Delta defectors at a grand ceremony in Asaba today, with National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma leading the delegation.
APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim confirmed that preparations were complete, calling the Delta defection “a major political boost” that strengthens ties between the state and the federal government.
APC Deputy National Chairman (South) Emma Eneukwu hailed Oborevwori’s move as a significant victory for the ruling party, lauding his infrastructural achievements and describing his defection as “a massive political asset.”
Presidency Denies One-Party Agenda
Responding to opposition concerns, Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga dismissed claims that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state, insisting the defections reflect free political association, not coercion by President Bola Tinubu.
“The opposition’s disorganization, not government interference, is responsible for their current woes,” Onanuga said in a Sunday statement titled ‘Democracy Strong and Alive in Nigeria’.
He argued that under Tinubu, democratic freedoms remain intact, stressing that defections are common even in advanced democracies.
Akwa Ibom Unrest Amid Possible Defection
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno’s rumoured plans to defect to the APC have stirred tensions. Unlike in Delta, Eno’s predecessor Udom Emmanuel remains loyal to the PDP, complicating Eno’s potential move.
A source told The PUNCH that Emmanuel’s reluctance to join the APC has weakened Eno’s efforts, leaving the governor politically vulnerable without full control of the state’s political structure.
While Eno has openly declared support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, his path to the APC remains uncertain without broader support from the state’s political elite.
