With Nigerians, especially from Akwa Ibom and Delta states just coming to terms with governors Umo Eno and Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), another wave of cross-carpeting hits the nation as Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and his Enugu State counterpart Peter Mbah dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party, fuelling apprehensions that the country continues to slide deeper into a one party state, a trend former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson says portends grave danger to the nation’s democracy
By Edu Abade
The week preceding the production and publication of this edition of Tentacle was greeted with defections of the oil-rich Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri in the South-South geopolitical region and his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in the South-East region.
Our editorial board meeting was filled with a heated argument over whether or not either Diri or Mbah were capable of defecting from the party that brought them to political limelight. This writer was blunt in his insistence that one could not trust politicians, particularly those of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispensation. However, the Publisher insisted that he was not too sure of Diri’s moves, but that he was pretty sure that the Enugu State Governor was going nowhere!
The days following our argument proved me right! Enugu’s Mbah first announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to align with the government at the centre- a conviction echoed by Diri and the governors that had gone before them, ditto, Umo and Oborevwori. And we fear that the defections are not over yet, as the presidency seems bent on recruiting just any governor or unprincipled politician who cares to join the ruling party prior to the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the current wave of defections, including some lawmakers from Kano State, representative of Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, who expressed the concerns of many Nigerians, criticised his successor, Diri and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce for dumping the PDP, insisting that the spate of defections represent a dangerous trend for Nigeria’s democracy.
Dickson, who is a former Governor of Bayelsa State, declared that he does not understand the real reasons Diri, who is serving his second term, and Murray-Bruce will dump the PDP. He also accused other governors elected on the platform of the PDP of running away from the mess they created and decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dickson made this known while speaking with the press on Wednesday.
In his words, “I am where I have been. I am where I am. I don’t believe that Nigeria should be a one-party state. And as a soldier of democracy, I’m used to the ups and downs of democratic practices and democratic life and political life especially. And I’m still as constant as a northern star.
“I remain steadfast in the Peoples Democratic Party and I am working with my colleagues and friends to ensure that problems in the party are solved. I hope that the governors and the leadership working committee who created this mess in our party, all of them, and who instead of showing leadership, have created this mess and ensured that it has persisted for this long.
“And they are the ones now bailing out after creating the problem that they could not solve or refused to solve. It’s very sad, very, very sad. It’s making Nigeria look small and making our country’s democracy look ridiculous. We don’t really know what they are pursuing or what is pursuing them. But whatever it is, it belittles our democracy and endangers our multi-party democracy.”
Speaking further, he said, “I believe in a multi-party Nigeria. A plural Nigeria can only thrive in a plural democratic environment. That’s what has happened. But on the specifics of Bayelsa State, you know, since I left and handed over to all the members who used to be part of my team, and I left, unlike others who are godfathers, I have not been a godfather. I left everything and I think that should be the standard practice. I make no requests, no demands, no pressure and I am only being available for consultation and advice.
“As in this case, the governor consulted me several times to his credit. And I was not convinced because I didn’t see any compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect.
“I’m just using this to say that I am still standing in the PDP that gave my people (the Ijaw Nation) and the Niger Delta the opportunity to run for elections to emerge as vice president of this country, acting president of Nigeria, and president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This other party cannot do that. And I’m standing there with the PDP. If and when we don’t succeed in retrieving the PDP, in saving the PDP, then we’ll be part of a collective decision, which again, should not be the ruling party. Because I believe there must be opposition. A democracy without opposition ceases to be a democracy.”
Curiously, Diri’s move, which was confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daniel Alabrah (who initially denied the governor’s planned moves), includes 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Abraham Ingobere, who is in agreement with the fact that Governor Diri’s defection is a strategic alignment with the federal government, aiming to foster development and attract investments to the state.
Diri’s defection comes amid a series of political realignments across the country, as both him (Diri) and Mbah had expressed their commitment to advancing their states’ interests through this new political affiliation.
The defection of Governor Diri and the accompanying lawmakers marks a pivotal moment in Bayelsa’s political landscape. It reflects a broader trend of political realignment in Nigeria, where state leaders are reassessing their party affiliations in light of national governance dynamics.
The APC is expected to leverage this development to strengthen its position in the South-South region, potentially influencing upcoming elections and policy directions. The PDP, on the other hand, faces challenges in maintaining its influence in Bayelsa, a state that has been a stronghold for the party.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Diri’s defection will unfold in the coming weeks. Stakeholders across the political spectrum are closely monitoring the situation, anticipating shifts in power dynamics and governance strategies.
Political pundits opine that Diri’s defection signals a new chapter in Bayelsa politics, with potential ripple effects across the South-South region. Analysts say such moves may influence party dynamics, governance priorities, and voter sentiment. Aligning with the APC could strengthen federal support for state projects, while testing the PDP’s ability to maintain its traditional strongholds.
Reacting to Diri’s defection, lawyer, actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Diri’s seat vacant following his resignation from the PDP.
Okonkwo made this known in a post shared on his verified X handle on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, where he cited constitutional provisions as the basis for his demand, arguing that under Nigerian law, any elected official must be a member of a recognized political party to hold office, stressing that since Diri has renounced his membership of the PDP, his current position as governor has become constitutionally untenable.
Meanwhile, as political realignments intensified in Enugu on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, as the Enugu South Advocates, one of the largest political pressure groups in the state announced their defections from the PDP to the APC alongside Governor Mbah.
The move marks a major shift for a state long considered a PDP stronghold and could reshape alliances ahead of future contests.
Briefing journalists after the defection, the leader of the group, Hon. Uche Kelvin Edeh, said the decision followed ‘deep reflection’ on the state’s political direction and the need to align with the federal government to enhance development prospects.
“With formidable infrastructure and people-oriented policies, there is no doubt Enugu State is on the path of progress,” Hon. Edeh said.
He explained that the group’s defection was driven by what he described as ‘visible changes’ in governance and a belief that closer cooperation with the centre would strengthen Enugu’s access to national opportunities.
“Governor Mbah has proven himself to be a leader worthy of commendation, with his administration’s focus on infrastructure development and people-centric policies yielding positive results,” he added.
Speaking to journalists after formally joining the APC, Mbah said his defection was driven by the desire to advance the collective interests of the South-East and strengthen the region’s voice at the federal level, adding, “I think it is high time we stopped fragmented politics in the South-East,” Mbah said. “My decision to move to the APC was for the greater interest of Ndi-Enugu and the South-East at large.”
The governor dismissed insinuations of coercion, saying the decision was “carefully considered for the best interest of Ndi-Enugu.” He added that his move to the ruling party reflected his commitment to building a “visionary partnership” capable of driving transformative development for Enugu State and Nigeria.
“This decision was not taken lightly. We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive. I have found in His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a partner in purpose -a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for the future,” he said.
With his defection, Mbah becomes one of the most prominent leaders from the South-East to join the APC, sparking hopes for greater regional unity and progress.
Addressing party supporters at the Government House, Enugu, where he was accompanied by his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as some state and federal lawmakers, Mbah said the move was a collective decision by his political family in the state.
“This is no whimsical decision,” he said. “It is a collective move by the political family in Enugu State-comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all local government chairmen, councilors, political appointees, and over 80 percent of party executives.
“To Ndi-Enugu, let me say this: this will not break our stride. We are a force of endeavour and we need an ally who can match our ambition. Let me reassure you-this is not a detour, but a conscious step towards a more compelling future,” Mbah said.
He thanked the PDP for its past support, noting that despite the South-East’s loyalty to the party, “our voices were too often disregarded.” He expressed optimism that his new alliance with the APC would bring greater development and visibility to the region.
The PDP caucus in the House of Representatives from Kaduna State also lost three members to the APC on Tuesday.
The defectors-Abdulkarim Ahmed (Kaduna South), Aliyu Mustapha (Ikara/Kubau) and Sadiq Ango-Abdullahi (Sabon Gari)-announced their decisions in separate letters read by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary.
Kaduna has witnessed a recent wave of defections to the ruling party, including the return of Senator Shehu Sani and Amos Magaji, amid growing speculation of efforts to weaken the opposition in the North-West state.
In their letters, the three lawmakers cited the lingering internal crisis within the PDP and the need to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as their reasons for leaving the party.
Basking in the euphoria of their gains, the APC commended Mbah, for his “courageous and visionary” decision to join the ruling party, describing the move as a strategic step that will accelerate development and deepen good governance in the state.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC expressed confidence that Mbah’s defection to the progressive platform would consolidate ongoing reforms and position Enugu as a key beneficiary of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The All Progressives Congress warmly welcomes Governor Mbah, other members, leaders and stakeholders to our party,” Morka said. We congratulate Governor Mbah for his courageous decision to join Nigeria’s preeminent and progressive party. We are confident that this deft political move will consolidate and accelerate development and good governance in Enugu State.
“It will bolster Governor Mbah’s leadership and impressive record of achievement, for which he has been recognised with several local and international awards, including the 2025 Presidential GovTech Award for innovation and technology-driven public service delivery.”
Morka added that Mbah’s defection represented a strategic alignment with President Tinubu’s vision of inclusive national growth.
“The Governor’s decision to join the APC and align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a smart repositioning of Enugu State as a strategic partner, participant, and beneficiary of the massive economic transformation currently underway in our nation,” the statement added.
Responding, representative of Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, said the APC would not depend on political defections to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu will record significant success in the South-East.
But Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has said ongoing defections by state governors in the South-East cannot guarantee the political capture of the zone.
Obi who was responding to questions from journalists in Abuja on the gale of defections currently sweeping the South-South and the South-East where he hails from, explained that Nigeria was currently a democracy not under military rule where states can be “captured.”
He maintained that the people will ultimately decide where to go, not governors or Senators, adding, “No party will capture or win any state just because it has a governor.
Speaking specifically on Mbah’s defection of and APC’s alleged move to capture the South-East for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Obi said, “Peter Mbah is a good friend of mine. And I believe that as governor, he must have made his decision based on his own political views and calculations.
“As for the alleged plot to capture the South-East, we are not in a military time when you capture people. You are a leader. You tend to do the right things for them to follow you. So I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere. The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it.”
Speaking on the planned protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu by political activist Omoyele Sowore, the former Anambra State Governor said, “I’ve always been consistent on Kanu’s situation. There was no need for his arrest in the first place. And I’ve always said that for me, I will consult, negotiate and discuss with anybody who is agitating. I said it clearly and I remained there.
“I thank those who are actually trying to do or say what we’ve been saying for a long time. Go and check what I’ve said before 2020, 2022 and even 2024. And now that it has gone to court, the rules should be followed. Not just for Nnamdi Kanu, but for all agitators across the nation. Let’s dialogue with them. There’s nothing wrong with anybody agitating or saying let’s dialogue with them. And whatever we do with them, let’s follow the rules. So I thank the organisers and those who are involved.”
