• PDP alleges APC is coercing opposition governors and lawmakers with money and threats.
• Enugu and Bayelsa governors reportedly under pressure to join ruling party.
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• Opposition vows unity ahead of national convention in Ibadan.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying intimidation, harassment, and financial inducement to lure its governors and federal lawmakers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, made the allegation in Abuja while reacting to reports that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State are being pressured to defect to the APC.
Ologunagba described the ongoing wave of defections as “products of coercion and intimidation,” adding that the APC is “weaponising state power to manipulate the political landscape.
“There are rumours that members of the National Assembly are being induced with money and appointments to decamp. But let it be known that the 2027 election will not be determined by defections,” he said.
He criticised the APC-led government for failing to address insecurity, economic hardship, and hunger ravaging Nigerians, stressing that the ruling party’s tactics show desperation rather than governance.
“The present administration is neither responsive nor responsible to Nigerians. Families can’t afford food or medical bills. Nigerians are not decamping from hunger to another party — they are yearning for hope, and that hope lies in the PDP,” Ologunagba declared.
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The spokesman dismissed fears that the defections could weaken the opposition, asserting that the PDP remains strong ahead of its national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan.
“The APC is jittery because they know the PDP’s convention will reposition the party for victory in 2027. They want to destabilise us, but too bad for them — we are more united than ever,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Adebayo Lawal, Oyo State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the PDP Convention Venue Sub-Committee, said preparations for the Ibadan convention were in top gear.
Lawal expressed optimism that the gathering would “unite and reinvigorate” the party as it prepares to reclaim power both at the federal and state levels.
“Our focus is not on defections but on delivering a credible alternative that restores confidence in Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.
