Nigeria’s political terrain continues to shift as high-profile defections and intra-party crises deepen ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Kogi West senator and PDP stalwart, Dino Melaye, formally announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing its failure to provide credible leadership. In a letter dated July 4, 2025, and addressed to the PDP chairman in his ward in Kogi State, Melaye declared his total withdrawal from all levels of party involvement. He also shared the letter on his official X account.
Melaye, who was the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 Kogi State governorship election, said his decision followed a deep reflection on the party’s current state. “I can no longer, in good conscience, participate in the activities of the party or lend my support to its agenda,” he wrote.
In Ogun State, the PDP also suffered major defections as its former state chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, and 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They were joined by Luqmon Atobatele, representing Abeokuta South State Constituency 1, ex-House of Assembly member Idowu Olowofuja, former local government service commission chairman Rotimi Rahaman, Dr. Mojeed Ekelojumati, and thousands of their supporters.
Governor Dapo Abiodun welcomed the defectors, calling the PDP a “sinking ship” and assured them full integration into the APC. He praised their grassroots return to the party, saying, “They joined from the bottom up, not from the top down, because they are seasoned politicians.”
Akinlade, a former APM governorship candidate, described the defection as a political movement. “We have moved en masse back home—we left no one behind—because we believe in the leadership of our governor and the leadership of our party,” he said.
Ogundele added that their decision was influenced by the visible achievements of Governor Abiodun and President Tinubu. “The most responsible PDP members from all 236 wards in Ogun State have moved en masse,” he declared.
Meanwhile, internal discord has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as its Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, declared himself Interim National Chairman amid what he called “political hooliganism” within the party. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Gombe accused unnamed leaders of handing the party to “powerful outsiders” and failing in their constitutional duties. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership change.
Elsewhere, Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, said Labour Party’s Peter Obi poses a stronger threat to President Tinubu in 2027 than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. On X, he argued that Obi’s grassroots support and youth appeal give him an edge, especially with a strong northern running mate.
In response, former PDP legal adviser Jacob Mark dismissed ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi’s claim that Obi won’t return to the PDP. He labelled Abdullahi a political opportunist and said the ADC coalition lacks the structure to support a serious presidential bid. “Take down Peter Obi from ADC, who will look at them?” Mark asked.
Former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke, however, countered such views, saying the ADC coalition is serious about seizing power in 2027. Speaking at the coalition’s inaugural meeting in Calabar, he said Nigerians are disillusioned and ready for change. “We are not joking about the takeover in 2027. No amount of propaganda can stop the coalition,” he said.
