In a dramatic escalation of internal tensions, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to impose disciplinary measures on its governors and elected officials who are openly supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
This development emerged following the party’s first National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the year, where it was revealed that the leadership had adopted the recommendations of the recent PDP Governors’ Forum summit held in Ibadan.
Eko Hot Blog reports that among those allegedly leading the pro-Tinubu faction within the PDP are Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori—both of whom have reportedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Acting PDP National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, confirmed that the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) will convene on May 27, where major decisions, including sanctions, are expected to be formalized.
Damagum decried the APC’s strategy of “coercing, cajoling, and intimidating” PDP members into defection, declaring:
“Nigerians, when the time comes, will show them the results of their actions. It has happened before, and it will repeat itself… This government has been so insensitive to the yearnings and feelings of people.”
In response to the exodus of party members in Delta State, the PDP has dissolved all existing structures and directed the South South Zonal Caretaker Committee to oversee party activities in the state. A new caretaker committee is expected to be constituted shortly.
Additionally, the PDP NWC has instructed its National Legal Adviser to begin legal processes aimed at reclaiming all electoral mandates allegedly usurped through defection. Damagum stressed that under the Electoral Act, “whenever you leave, you must leave the chair that you have occupied.”
Calling for discipline and loyalty within the ranks, the party warned that those who betray the PDP’s principles and alliances would face the full weight of its internal disciplinary framework.
As the countdown to the 2027 general election intensifies, this move signals the PDP's intent to reclaim unity and reassert its dominance amid growing political realignments.
