Defections: PDP Governors Have Betrayed Public Trust, Says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused some governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of betraying the confidence of the electorate who voted them into power.

The opposition party said the wave of defections among governors and lawmakers from opposition platforms to the APC was part of a grand design by the ruling party to establish a one-party state in Nigeria.

ADC’s reaction followed the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the APC on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, also dumped the PDP for the ruling party along with members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and other key political figures.

The party recalled that Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Umo Eno, had earlier abandoned the PDP for the APC, even as speculations persist that Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, might follow suit.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the defections as “acts of political apostasy,” saying they were clear indications of the APC’s desperation to weaken democracy and consolidate power at all costs.

“While it may appear that the APC has gained more governors, what has actually happened is that these leaders have turned their backs on the very people who trusted them with their votes,” Abdullahi said.

He lamented that Nigerians have continued to bear the brunt of bad governance, noting that the Tinubu administration has failed in virtually all sectors — from security to the economy, healthcare, and social welfare.

“Every day, Nigerians pay the price for APC’s misrule. Prices of food keep rising, jobs are disappearing, and insecurity is spreading across the country. Instead of standing with their people to offer hope, these governors have chosen to join the oppressors,” he said.

The ADC maintained that the defections have further exposed the stark divide between leaders who stand for the people and those driven by personal gain.

“The people can see clearly now. The 2027 elections will no longer be about party lines, but a battle between the Nigerian people and President Tinubu’s APC establishment,” Abdullahi added.

He urged Nigerians not to lose faith, saying the opposition remains resolute in defending democracy and providing an alternative vision for the country.