Pressure Mounts on Northern Opposition Leaders Amid Speculation of Party Switches

Leaders of states still under the Peoples Democratic Party banner in northern Nigeria are grappling with intense calls to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, as whispers of a potential collapse in opposition ranks grow louder ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The shift has fuelled fears that the country could slide towards single-party rule, with the once-powerful Peoples Democratic Party clinging to just eight governorships nationwide after a string of high-profile exits. Recent moves by figures in Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu have spotlighted vulnerable spots in the north, including Plateau, Taraba, Zamfara, and Adamawa, where observers predict the next wave of realignments.

The All Progressives Congress, riding a tide of federal influence and promises of smoother project funding, has openly courted these holdouts. A senior party official in the south-east zone revealed that at least four governors are in advanced discussions to cross over before year’s end, naming Plateau’s Caleb Mutfwang, Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, Rivers’ Siminalayi Fubara, and even Abia’s Alex Otti from the Labour Party as prime targets.

The party’s welcoming stance, tied to President Bola Tinubu’s reform drive, has drawn in disillusioned politicians seeking stability and resources, the official explained. He painted the All Progressives Congress as a gathering point for forward-thinkers, adding that incoming members would bolster its organisation and appeal nationwide.

In Taraba, signs point to an imminent break from the Peoples Democratic Party’s 26-year grip, with insiders confirming that the governor’s inner circle has been holding quiet meetings with All Progressives Congress heavyweights in the capital. A trusted adviser to the leader described the process as nearing completion, with timing being the main hold-up to align with ongoing security and development initiatives.

Such a change would hand the governor easier access to national backing, but it has stirred dismay among local Peoples Democratic Party faithful, who view it as a betrayal that could shatter the party’s regional foundation. One longtime supporter lamented that the leader’s recent trips to All Progressives Congress-led areas and chats with federal figures have only heightened the buzz.

Across in Adamawa, the governor’s history as a resilient challenger to the ruling setup adds intrigue to the rumours. Having triumphed in 2019 and 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party banner during the All Progressives Congress’s federal reign, he now faces overtures from his old party. A spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress in the state voiced confidence in ongoing dialogues, predicting a return that would unify local forces.

Yet a prominent Peoples Democratic Party voice in the area brushed off the talk as fanciful, hailing the governor as the party’s anchor and a beacon for democratic resilience. Whispers of a lengthy session with the national security adviser earlier this year, where incentives like picking a successor and snagging federal posts were floated, have only added fuel, though aides insist his loyalty holds firm.

Plateau’s situation stands as the most divided, with the governor openly acknowledging overtures from the All Progressives Congress during a public address on Saturday. He stressed that only divine will and the people’s choice could sway him, drawing cheers from the crowd when he polled them on leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.

The state, a traditional stronghold for the opposition since 1999, saw the party’s comeback in 2023 after a brief All Progressives Congress stint. Residents and analysts alike see the governor’s deep roots and ties to past Peoples Democratic Party icons as barriers to change. A local supporter declared the party as the area’s political birthright, while a media aide reaffirmed the leader’s resolve to seek re-election without switching sides.

Even so, a rift has emerged within the All Progressives Congress itself. State leaders, including the national chairman from Plateau, convened to block any welcome for the governor, passing a firm resolution against it. One mover called it a safeguard for party unity.

In a swift counter, a regional All Progressives Congress group from the north-central zone rejected the stance as self-serving, arguing that the focus should lie on winnable allies. They reaffirmed their push for the governor to join, citing Peoples Democratic Party infighting and the need to back the president’s vision. The group accused local opponents of weakness, pointing to their poor showings in past votes, and vowed to reveal polling data post-2027 to expose true loyalties.

The national chairman’s democratic approach, the group added, would smooth any bumps, with influential voices at the presidential seat backing the outreach.

For Zamfara, details remain sparse, but the pattern of federal incentives and opposition fatigue mirrors the broader trend, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party scrambling to hold its northern flanks.

Observers warn that these potential losses would not only shrink the opposition’s map but erode the checks and balances essential to vibrant democracy. One expert noted that the All Progressives Congress’s pull stems less from ideals and more from the perks of power, a shift that dulls accountability. With the Peoples Democratic Party at its lowest ebb since civilian rule began, the coming months could redefine the political landscape, testing whether multiparty competition endures or fades into memory.