The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will meet on Tuesday to discuss the rising number of defections and internal problems shaking the party.
This move comes after a series of high-profile exits that have weakened the opposition’s strength across the country.
The defections, long expected, became clearer when Ifeanyi Okowa, a former vice presidential candidate, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the entire PDP structure in Delta State switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The shift happened after a private meeting in Asaba last week.
Along with them, the Deputy Governor, commissioners, local government chairmen, and grassroots supporters also crossed over.
Many have linked this wave of departures to ‘Hurricane Tinubu’, as more politicians join the ruling party, raising concerns that Nigeria may soon have a one-party system.
Since its creation in 1998, the PDP has never faced a more troubling period.
The recent loss of Oluwole Oke, a longtime House of Representatives member from Osun State, added to the growing list of members leaving.
If the trend continues, the PDP could find itself in a much weaker position ahead of the 2027 general election.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was recently confirmed as National Secretary by the Supreme Court, has announced that he will attend Tuesday’s meeting.
This is despite tensions with the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
A senior party figure, who spoke without permission to reveal details, confirmed that the National Working Committee (NWC) will focus on finding ways to stop more members from defecting to the APC.
Internal fighting has been a major problem for the PDP even before the 2023 elections, and it has only grown worse since then.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has come under strong criticism as the party’s problems continue to spread.
Many state chapters are in confusion, and the once-strong South-South region has seen its party structures collapse.
Disputes over the National Secretary position have split the NWC, leaving it struggling to function.
Many Board of Trustees members have also completed their terms without replacements, creating two opposing sides within what remains of the group.
Between February 2024 and February 2025, over 300 PDP members left for the APC, mainly due to these internal struggles.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Labour Party have also lost many members to the APC for similar reasons.
The most recent major defection happened on April 23, when Governor Oborevwori, Okowa, and all PDP members in Delta State officially joined the APC.
The acting Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, confirmed that the NWC meeting will hold in Abuja at 12 noon on Tuesday.
This follows a Supreme Court decision in March that ruled party disputes are not issues for court intervention.
After this judgment, the PDP Governors Forum had asked the South East to recommend a candidate for National Secretary and appointed Koshoedo temporarily.
An invitation letter sent to NWC members confirmed the date, venue, and time of the meeting, stressing the need for all committee members and cabinet secretaries to attend.
An NWC member, speaking anonymously, said the party leadership is deeply worried about the situation.
According to him, stopping defections is hard because most politicians leave for personal reasons, sometimes tied to issues with anti-corruption agencies.
He explained that despite everything the PDP did for them, many still chose to walk away, and that unless their personal needs are met, it is difficult to keep them.
He added that the Tuesday meeting would cover several issues, including the wave of defections, upcoming congresses, preparations for the National Executive Committee meeting, and the plans for a National Elective Convention.
The party hopes to use the meeting to find ways to rebuild and strengthen itself before future elections.
Senator Anyanwu, in a separate interview, confirmed he would attend the meeting and urged members to stay loyal and committed to rebuilding the party.
He called on everyone to set aside personal interests so that peace and unity could return to the PDP.
Anyanwu said the focus must be on bringing the party back together and getting ready for the challenges ahead, with or without further defections.
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