Southern PDP Governors Drift Toward Tinubu as 2027 Realignment Gains Momentum

Fresh political signals indicate that a growing number of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors from Nigeria’s southern region may align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition in 2027, citing the need to uphold the country’s informal North-South power rotation agreement.

Credible sources within the political space have confirmed that consultations are underway among southern political leaders, with multiple governors believed to be weighing their options amidst internal crises within the PDP. The likelihood of further defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is growing, with 2027 looming large over Nigeria’s political horizon.

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According to a source who spoke with Leadership, the support being built around President Tinubu is tied to regional equity. The principle, long held in Nigerian politics, emphasizes that after a northern presidency (Buhari’s two terms), the South should be allowed to complete its own two-term cycle.

“The PDP governors from the South are largely going to support Tinubu because of the North-South power rotation. Just as Buhari completed two terms for the North, many believe Tinubu should complete the same for the South,” the source explained.

This sentiment is gaining traction amid increasing disillusionment within the PDP, especially in the South-South and South-East zones, which have long served as strongholds for the opposition party.

Already, the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC has signalled a major shift. In Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno has also dropped subtle hints of realignment. His recent metaphor about refusing to “fly in a faulty plane” was widely interpreted as a public disapproval of the PDP’s unstable trajectory.

PDP’s Southern Core Under Pressure

There are currently six PDP governors in the South:

• Douye Diri (Bayelsa)
• Seyi Makinde (Oyo)
• Ademola Adeleke (Osun)
• Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)
• Peter Mbah (Enugu)
• Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers)

However, observers note that most of these governors are either newly inaugurated, serving their second term, or embroiled in internal power struggles. This makes the terrain ripe for political shifts, especially as the PDP battles growing uncertainty around leadership, zoning, and direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A South-South governor in his second term reportedly convened a strategic meeting with his ethnic and political bloc last week to finalize his support for Tinubu. Insiders suggest an official endorsement could be made public in the coming weeks. The governor is said to have fallen out with influential PDP leaders in his state, weakening his attachment to the party.

Another governor from the South-South, who has already publicly endorsed Tinubu, is now working behind the scenes to persuade his immediate predecessor to join the movement. However, political tension between the ex-governor and his own predecessor continues to complicate efforts to unify the bloc.

PDP’s Internal Crisis Fuelling Defections

According to insiders, a key reason for the rising wave of defection is the deepening disarray within the PDP itself. Longstanding issues—such as the unresolved tussle over the national secretary position, and the absence of a clear zoning formula for the 2027 presidency—have weakened the confidence of several party stakeholders.

“The internal wrangling and absence of clear direction have left many stakeholders frustrated. Some governors don’t see the PDP as viable for 2027 and are now exploring alternatives,” one party insider noted.

The PDP’s inability to present a unified front during the 2023 general elections, coupled with leadership disputes, has further eroded its internal cohesion. Analysts argue that without a significant restructuring and re-strategizing, the party risks losing even more ground ahead of the next election cycle.

All Eyes on May 27 NEC Meeting

All attention is now focused on the PDP’s upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025. The meeting is expected to tackle critical issues such as:

• Party leadership restructuring
• National zoning arrangements
• 2027 electoral strategy
• Internal reconciliation efforts

Observers believe the outcome of the NEC meeting will either reignite confidence in the party or accelerate its internal fragmentation, further boosting the APC’s strength in the South.

For the ruling APC, gaining the support of multiple PDP governors from the South could solidify Tinubu’s path to re-election, especially if power rotation continues to be a persuasive argument among Southern voters.

As Nigeria’s political realignment gains momentum, the South—which once stood firmly in opposition—may now become President Tinubu’s strongest base of support going into the 2027 elections.