The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has attributed the recent defections of its governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to greed, selfishness, and coercion. According to Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, there is no compelling reason for a sitting governor to leave the party at this point.

The PDP spokesperson made this statement in response to the defection of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who recently joined the APC alongside 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. This move comes barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also joined the ruling party.

Abdullahi emphasized that the PDP has addressed its major internal problems and is currently in good standing. He described the defections as driven by self-interest, greed, and probably second-term ambitions, coercion, intimidation, and temptation by the ruling party.

The PDP spokesperson expressed confidence in the party’s ability to move forward, stating that the defections are “good riddance to bad rubbish.” He believes that the party will emerge stronger and more cohesive as it approaches its convention, which is scheduled to take place in exactly a month.

Abdullahi questioned the rationale behind the governors’ decisions to defect to the APC, particularly given the party’s track record over the past 10 years. He noted that the PDP is in a good state in most states, with no available reason for the defections other than selfishness and greed.

The PDP spokesperson bid farewell to the defecting governors, stating that the party will focus on retrieving the country from the current government, which he described as an “army of occupation” masquerading as democrats. As the country approaches the 2027 elections, Abdullahi emphasized that the battle is no longer between the PDP and APC but against the APC and its perceived negative impact on Nigerians.