Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Friday, June 6, officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming the latest in a growing list of sitting governors who have made similar moves.

 

The declaration was made during a formal event at the Government House in Uyo, which drew top APC leaders from across Nigeria.

 

Governor Eno explained his decision, stating:

 

“After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.

We are not joining the APC from a position of weakness, but from a position of strength. We’re bringing value to Akwa Ibom State. We’ve come into the APC with a ministry of reconciliation.”

 

 

 

His defection underscores a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s political landscape where governors, while still in office, shift allegiance from the PDP to the APC, often citing strategic interests, development goals, or ideological alignment.

 

Here are eight incumbent governors who defected from the PDP to the APC while still in office:

 

 

 

1. Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State)

 

Defected: June 2025

Governor Eno’s switch to the APC could reshape Akwa Ibom’s political dynamics and boost the ruling party’s prospects in future elections.

 

 

 

2. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State)

 

Defected: June 2025

His sudden departure from the PDP surprised many, especially given Delta State’s long-standing status as a PDP stronghold since 1999.

 

 

 

3. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State)

 

Defected: November 2020

Umahi cited the PDP’s alleged marginalisation of the Southeast as his reason for joining APC, lauding the Buhari administration’s infrastructure drive.

 

 

 

4. Ben Ayade (Cross River State)

 

Defected: May 2021

Ayade explained that his defection aimed at attracting greater federal support and development to his state.

 

 

5. Bello Matawalle (Zamfara State)

 

Defected: June 2021

Amid political instability in Zamfara, Matawalle’s move to APC was seen as a strategic effort to consolidate power and ensure continuity.

 

 

 

6. Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto State)

 

Defected: 2014 & 2018 (Returned)

Tambuwal initially defected to APC ahead of the 2015 elections, returned to PDP in 2018, and was reportedly considering another return to APC before leaving office—highlighting his fluid political strategy.

 

 

 

7. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto State)

 

Defected: 2014

Wamakko’s switch was instrumental in building APC’s momentum ahead of its historic 2015 electoral victory.

 

 

 

8. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara State)

 

Defected: 2014

Part of the famous “political tsunami” led by Bukola Saraki, Ahmed’s defection helped solidify APC’s control in Kwara. He later returned to the PDP, but the initial move was crucial to the APC’s rise.

 

 

 

These defections have continually altered Nigeria’s political terrain, often triggering realignments, reshaping party dominance in various regions, and influencing electoral outcomes.