4 Northern PDP Governors Who May Defect Before 2027

The 2027 election is moving closer, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a serious challenge. The party that once ruled Nigeria for 16 years is now struggling to keep its influence across the country. 

Many of its strongest leaders have already crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the trend is not slowing down.

Right now, PDP controls only eight of the 36 states. But reports show that four governors in the north are already thinking about joining the APC. 

If they leave, PDP may lose even more ground and the fear of Nigeria becoming a one-party state will grow stronger. Here are the four northern PDP governors currently in the spotlight:

Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau State

Governor Mutfwang has had a tough political struggle since taking office. Plateau State has become a strong target for the APC, especially with many court cases and political battles happening in the state. To stay secure ahead of 2027, joining the ruling party may look like a safer path for him.

Agbu Kefas – Taraba State

Kefas is a first-term governor with big ambitions for his state. But Taraba has always been a hot zone for political competition. With the APC gaining more influence in the North, he may see defection as a smart strategy to protect his re-election chances.

Dauda Lawal – Zamfara State

For years, Zamfara politics has been unpredictable. Former governors and powerful political blocs continue to switch sides and fight for control. Lawal may feel pressured to align with the centre if he wants his projects and programmes to continue running smoothly.

Ahmadu Fintiri – Adamawa State

Fintiri is one of PDP’s strongest figures in the north. However, with other governors leaving the party and the APC positioning itself for a major northern sweep, he is under new political pressure. His next move could decide the future of PDP in the region.

Why these defections matter

Every defection weakens the PDP’s remaining structure. If these four leave:

• PDP’s influence in the north will drop sharply
  
• APC will gain more control heading into 2027
  
• Opposition politics may become too weak to compete
  

This is why party members are worried, and why the tension keeps rising. Political alignments are changing fast. Some governors claim they want to “align with the centre” to deliver more results for their states. But critics say this is simply about power,  not the people.