The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria is facing a significant challenge as it struggles to recover from a prolonged leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 general election. The party has suffered a series of setbacks, including the recent defection of two state governors, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, to other parties.

Fubara announced his decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, citing a lack of protection from the PDP. His defection comes just four days after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and 17 other lawmakers left the PDP for the APC, also due to the ongoing crisis within the party.

Adeleke, on the other hand, has joined the Accord Party, which he claims aligns with his focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare. He announced his decision on social media, stating that he intends to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party.

The PDP has described Fubara’s defection as “self-inflicted,” warning that the development threatens Nigeria’s democratic balance. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that Fubara’s move contributes to a growing slide towards a one-party system and that he should not blame the party or any stakeholder for his decision.

Analysts have attributed the recent defections to deeper structural problems within the PDP. Dr. Nduka Odo, a Public Affairs Analyst, described the development as a sign of “chronic failure” to manage and resolve internal conflicts. He noted that the PDP’s decline is reversible if the party undertakes serious reforms to re-engineer its internal democracy and re-negotiate power with its stakeholders.

The defections have triggered fears that Nigeria may be drifting towards a one-party state, with the ruling APC facing little or no resistance in the 2027 polls. The development has also fueled growing concern about the country’s democratic future, with many calling for urgent reforms to address the ongoing crisis within the PDP. As the political landscape continues to shift, it remains to be seen how the PDP will respond to these challenges and whether it can recover in time for the 2027 general election.