The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused governors defecting from its fold of greed, selfishness, and covetousness, insisting that Nigerians will ultimately decide their fate in the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party maintained that it is not governors who make a political party, but the people, adding that those abandoning the platform that brought them to power would soon regret their actions.

Since the 2023 general election, four governors have left the PDP — Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, while Peter Mbah of Enugu, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa followed the trend this week.

The party’s 2023 presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, have withdrawn their memberships, along with some key allies.

‘Defections driven by greed’

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi said the wave of defections is motivated by “greed, avarice, and selfishness.”

“To the best of my knowledge and that of most Nigerians, you cannot find a compelling reason for a governor, especially one on a second term like in Bayelsa, to abandon the party that produced him,” Abdullahi said. “You can’t find any justifiable reason other than covetousness, greed, and avarice.”

He insisted that the PDP remains strong despite its challenges. “Our party is in good stead. We have internal issues like every other political party, but we have addressed the major ones that could have afflicted our ability to serve as a credible opposition as we journey towards 2027,” he said.

While the spokesman of Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Daniel Alabrah, could not be reached for comment, the Special Adviser to Enugu Governor Peter Mbah on Media, Dan Nwomeh, told Daily Trust that the PDP’s reaction was expected and understandable.

“The governor has made adequate explanation on why he left the PDP; it’s all contained in his speech. We understand the PDP won’t be happy, but we can’t help it,” Nwomeh said. “We can’t remain in a party where our voice doesn’t count. If you leave the PDP, they will find something to say, that’s politics.”

PDP unfazed, eyes Ibadan convention

Speaking further, Abdullahi said the party is unbothered by the defections and is instead focused on its forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, which he said would “change the face of the party” and reposition it as a credible alternative ahead of 2027.

“These few elements are driven by self-greed and the coercion and temptation of the ruling party,” he said. “Other than that, there’s no reason for their action. To the PDP, it’s good riddance to bad rubbish.”

He said the departure of such figures offers the party an opportunity to “weed out terrible elements” ahead of the convention.

“Many Nigerians have been asking what could have prompted these defections because the PDP remains in good stead. There’s no rationale other than selfishness and greed,” Abdullahi said.

He insisted that the defection of a few governors does not define the party’s fate. “It’s not about PDP or APC anymore; it’s APC versus Nigerians. Let them do whatever they can — we’ve seen worse temptations than this,” he said.

Abdullahi dismissed claims by Governor Mbah that the South East has been marginalized within the PDP despite supporting the party for 27 years.

“This is the same party that produced five Senate Presidents from the South East. Each of the states in the region produced a Senate President at one point. They also produced ministers in very notable ministries,” he argued. “There was a time the PDP empowered the South East to the point where names like Okonjo-Iweala emerged globally. So, what exactly is he talking about?”

Abdullahi accused Mbah of failing to participate in party activities.

“For four years that I have been in the PDP, I haven’t seen Peter Mbah attend any NEC or major party meeting in Abuja,” he said. “If you claim the PDP has not provided leadership, as a governor you are the custodian of that leadership in your state. So, if leadership is lacking, it’s an admission of failure on your part.”

Abdullahi also took a swipe at former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, accusing him of diminishing his political stature. “It’s disappointing that a former governor and former member of the National Assembly has reduced himself to a personal assistant, literally carrying bags for a sitting minister. That’s shameless,” he said.

Governors being coerced – Ogidi

Also speaking, the South South Zonal Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, alleged that the defecting governors were being coerced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He told Daily Trust that both governors and party members were under intense pressure to abandon the PDP.

“Even second-term governors are leaving, and we don’t know their reasons,” he said. “Some of it is personal, but we know there’s coercion. They are being threatened seriously. Nigerians already know that the APC wants to turn the country into a one-party state that’s their ultimate goal.”

The APC and the presidency have severally denied any plot to turn the country into a one-party state, insisting that the opposition parties are the architect of their own misfortune and that it is not the duty of the ruling party to help them fix their problems.

Ogidi, however, said despite the defections, the PDP remains focused on its upcoming national convention. “We are committed to going ahead with it. Ironically, some of those now leaving had worked hard for its success,” he said. “But they were forced to abandon the party because they don’t want the convention to hold.”

Defecting governors cowardly, gutless – Udenta

Also reacting, Professor Udenta O. Udenta, founding national secretary of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), described the defecting governors as “cowardly, chicken-hearted, and gutless.”

He said many of them lack an understanding of “the genealogy of power” and have no appreciation of how they rose to prominence.

“For example, how did they climb to the top? Who mentored them? Who taught them the art and purpose of politics, power, responsibility, and accountability?” he asked.

“Take the case of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom I criticize quite often but objectively. You must give it to him that he prepared for power very deliberately. That’s why he can toy with some of these politicians with ease.”

Udenta said Tinubu, who as governor between 1999 and 2007 battled the PDP’s attempt to capture the South West, now appears to be “ordering governors and senators to abandon their parties and betray the people’s trust, and they are complying sheepishly.”

He noted that in some states, “commissioners now wear clothes with the president’s image printed on them,” a trend he described as “the height of sycophancy.”

According to him, “Some of these governors flee from their parties citing internal crises, as if conflict is not a normal human condition to be managed and resolved. If you run away from your party because it’s in crisis, you’re unfit to lead.”

He added that “real politicians and real leaders dig in, make compromises, adjust, and remain resolute because they believe in something and are guided by moral clarity.”

Udenta argued that many of the defecting governors lack the courage to uphold the principles of federalism.

“From Akwa Ibom to Delta and Enugu to Bayelsa, their mantra is that aligning with the centre brings prosperity. But they fail to grasp that federalism and separation of powers are not just theoretical ideals but practical administrative realities,” he said.

He recalled how Tinubu, as Lagos governor, confronted former President Olusegun Obasanjo over federal encroachment on state powers between 1999 and 2007. “He had an activist mindset and bitterly contested power with successive PDP presidents. These new governors lack that courage,” Udenta said.

He criticized Governor Mbah’s claim of PDP marginalization, saying the South East benefitted immensely under PDP administrations. “With the exception of the presidency and vice presidency, the region held virtually every major national position — Senate presidents, deputy Senate presidents, speakers, SGF, chiefs of army staff, IGPs, CBN governor, finance minister, and chief economic adviser,” he said. “Many even believe an Igbo man was the most powerful figure during Obasanjo’s eight-year presidency.”

The Enugu-born professor said the problem lies not in access to power but in what the South East elite did with it. “When their son, Peter Obi, ran for president in 2023 and came close to victory, did they rally behind him?” he asked. “Today, the same decamped political nomads are asking him to step aside. That’s what I call cultural and political surrender — an abandonment of their people’s pride and historical identity.”

Udenta added that the PDP and other opposition parties might actually be “shedding unwanted baggage” through these defections.

“The PDP must reconstruct itself as the true party of the people, as it claimed in 1998 when it was founded — hence the motto, Power to the People,” he said. “I’m not a member of the PDP, but as a patriot, I believe that Nigeria’s multi-party democracy is under severe threat from the current hybrid regime with its competitive authoritarian and illiberal mindset.”

He said patriots must “struggle hard to preserve opposition parties” as a safeguard against democratic collapse. “Some governors are valiantly resisting the massive federal onslaught on the party and working day and night to save it. This is not the time to sit on the fence,” he warned.

“In the absence of a radical ideological alternative, Nigerians must remain engaged in defending multi-party democracy, which the current regime seems determined to dismantle.”

Court restates order on PDP convention

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has restated its earlier order directing parties to maintain the status quo in the suit seeking to stop the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Justice James Omotosho reiterated the order during Thursday’s resumed hearing, warning that he would issue consequential orders against any party that resorts to self-help.

The judge made the remarks after PDP counsel Chris Uche (SAN) complained that the order was hindering preparations and sought an accelerated hearing.

Justice Omotosho assured the parties that judgment would be delivered before the end of October “so that everyone knows their fate.”

“The court must not be overreached. If such happens, I have the power to nullify any act done in defiance of this court,” he said. “I assure you, the decision will be ready by the end of October.”

The judge fixed Monday, October 20, for definite hearing of the originating summons filed by three aggrieved party members — Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah George (PDP secretary, South South).

The plaintiffs, represented by Joseph Daudu (SAN), are seeking an order stopping the convention. The defendants include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the PDP; National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary Umar Bature; the National Working Committee (NWC); and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

At Thursday’s proceedings, both PDP National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) and Chris Uche (SAN) claimed to represent the party. Justice Omotosho directed them to file their papers so the court can determine who is the legitimate counsel.

He ordered all parties to exchange their processes by October 17 ahead of the October 20 hearing.

On Tuesday Chris Uche (SAN), who was representing the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), clashed openly in court over who has the authority to appoint lawyers to represent the party.

Damagun had informed the court that he had authorized Uche and five other Senior Advocates of Nigeria to represent the PDP in the case. Ajibade immediately objected, insisting that as the party’s legal adviser, only he has the statutory authority to appoint legal representation on behalf of the PDP.

Justice Omotosho had earlier attempted to mediate the disagreement by standing the matter down to allow both sides to reconcile, but the effort failed. The judge subsequently adjourned the case to Thursday for hearing. However, with both counsels still entering appearances for the PDP at the resumed session, it became clear that there was no resolution to the conflict, a development that observers have described as embarrassing for the party. (Daily Trust