John Odigie-Oyegun, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has raised alarm over the increasing trend of defections, resignations and party hopping among political leaders, describing the development as a reflection of deeper problems in the country’s political system.

The former governor said this on Sunday while speaking in Benin, Edo State. He said the frequent movement of politicians from one party to another after disagreements raises questions on the commitment of the country’s political class to national development and the welfare of citizens.

Odigie-Oyegun said that the increasing rate of political leaders defecting from their parties points to the fact that the nation’s democratic structure is yet to address the fundamental issues.

He said that in his opinion, the attitude of some politicians does not seem to be driven by a real desire to solve the problems facing Nigerians including economic hardship and insecurity.

“If political actors really wanted to rescue the country and improve the lives of citizens, we wouldn’t be witnessing much of the political realignment going on now ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The ADC stalwart observed that the political class seemed to be out of touch with realities on ground facing the ordinary Nigerians, adding that its actions often didn’t reflect true commitment to national progress.

“If political leaders were really inspired by the desire to save the country, many of the things we are witnessing as the build-up to the 2027 elections would not have happened,” he said.

He argued that the focus should be on solving pressing national problems, not on political machinations that did little to improve the lives of the people.

Odigie-Oyegun also urged opposition figures across the country to consider their motives and determine whether what they are doing is truly to assist suffering Nigerians.

He stressed the need for opposition leaders to stay on course to providing solutions to the country’s challenges instead of narrow political ambitions.

The former governor, however, was confident in the prospects of the opposition, despite his concerns, saying that the creation of a level playing field and strong institutions could create the conditions for a change in political leadership.

If the electoral process and state institutions work fairly and transparently, the opposition can even defeat the ruling party,” he said.

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Liyel Imoke, a former governor of Cross River State, and Gershom Bassey, a former senator from Cross River South, have both resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Both politicians sent separate letters to the chairmen of their respective wards announcing their decisions.

Bassey announced his desire to leave the party with immediate effect in a resignation letter dated March 12, 2026, and written to the PDP Ward Chairman of Ward 9 in Calabar South Local Government Area.

The former senator, who served as the representative for Cross River South in the 8th and 9th Senate, characterized the action as a challenging choice impacted by recent party developments.

As a founding member of the PDP, Bassey pointed out that he made a substantial contribution to the party’s development into a powerful political force.

However, he claimed that the party’s internal problems had made it impossible for him to maintain optimism about its future.

In a same vein, on March 2, 2026, Imoke sent a letter to the PDP Ward Chairman in Itigidi Council Ward, Abi Local Government Area, announcing his resignation.

According to the former governor, the ruling ended his 28-year affiliation with the party.

He claimed that it was challenging for him to continue serving the organization and the people in an efficient manner due to the long-standing issues inside the party.

Imoke, who claimed to have joined the PDP in 1998, thanked the party for providing him with opportunities during his political career.

He stated that the party gave him the opportunity to hold a number of positions, such as Governor of Cross River State, Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Presidential Special Advisor.

On March 3, 2026, Elder David Alobo James, the Itigidi Council Ward Ward Chairman of the party, acknowledged the resignation letter.

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Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has urged people who left the Labour Party for various reasons to rejoin.

Reuniting the Labour Party Family: consolidating strength for sustainable political impact was the theme of a one-day high-level strategic multi-level stakeholders summit that was held at the party’s national Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday. The Governor was represented by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu.

The gathering was organized in cooperation with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Under the leadership of Abia, the governor observed, the state has been able to show that the Labour Party is a vehicle for purpose, governance, accountability, and people-centered development, rather than merely an election platform.

The party’s ability to bring this vision to the national level is demonstrated by the advancements being made in physical discipline, institutional changes, infrastructure regeneration, and service delivery, he said.

But we also have to recognize that internal unity is necessary for long-term political success. Reunifying the party is about fostering trust, fortifying systems, improving communication, and making sure that all parties involved—from ward level to the national leadership—feel heard and respected.

“We need to start building strategic alliances with progressive minds who share our vision, strengthening grassroots mobilization and membership revalidation, consolidating our structures, investing in women and youth as key drivers of electoral success, promoting internal democracy, transparency, and discipline, and effectively and consistently communicating our accomplishments to the public in order to get to 2027.”

“We must be aware that Abia State is a model for our country to emulate, and the Labour Party is the force behind this advancement. Remembering that we are not alone is crucial,” he stated.

According to the governor, the summit must consequently result in measures that can be implemented, not merely suggestions.

“Let’s depart with a well-defined plan, assigned responsibilities, and quantifiable deadlines. Additionally, he stated, “Let us pledge to resolve internal misunderstandings through communication rather than conflict.”

Our comrades who lost the lawsuits are being invited to join the Labour Party at this very moment, and together, we will start over.

Equity, fairness, productivity, and social inclusion were the cornerstones upon which the Labour Party was founded. If we stick to these values, our influence won’t be lessened by opposition tactics or realignment.

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All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank has accused President Bola Tinubu of threatening and blackmailing five PDP governors to switch to the ruling party.
This information was reportedly disclosed by Frank in a statement released on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
“Tinubu is also threatening to declare a state of emergency in their states to deal with governors who do not support him,” he stated.

Timi Frank both northern and southern leaders not to fall for Tinubu’s ploys to seize power in 2027, emphasizing that the purpose of the next election should not be to choose between the North and the South but rather to determine who would best handle the numerous issues facing the nation.
By blackmailing, bullying, and coercing at least five PDP governors from the South to defect to the APC together with their National Assembly members, he has escalated the situation, he claimed.

Because he sees the 2027 election as a contest between himself and the North, Tinubu is making a valiant effort to win over the South by deceit and deception. The North helped him gain power in 2023, but he has already forgotten it.

“Nigerians need a president who will make Nigeria better, not a candidate from the North or the South, or a president from the North or the South.

Already, the nation is overburdened with racial differences. Therefore, it is not acceptable for us to have a president who pits one region against another in order to further his own goals.

Timi Frank, a Southerner, doesn’t think a president who is divisive and tribalistic is a good idea. I think a leader will emerge who would bring Nigeria together instead of dividing it.

Read Also: ‘Let’s Wait and See’ – Arewa Forum Reacts to Political Defections Ahead of 2027

“I urge all Northerners who are still in favor of Tinubu to reconsider their position. They ought to be aware that the North, which allegedly “assisted” Tinubu in assuming power in 2023, is currently bearing the brunt of the misery.

It is an undeniable reality that Tinubu has given his personal and tribal interests precedence above all other considerations, severely marginalizing the north in appointments and other infrastructural development initiatives.

“The North should awaken for this reason. They ought to be aware that Tinubu is not headed in the greatest political direction for Nigeria in 2027. In 2027, they ought to stand up and call for unity.

“I want the leaders of the North to understand that if Tinubu regains power in 2027, the North would endure unimaginable neglect because Tinubu and the APC disregard their true interests.

“As we speak, at least five opposition governors are expected to defect to the APC—not because they like Tinubu, but rather as a result of overwhelming political pressure, intimidation, and blackmail.” Those governors who choose to stay have been forced to sign pledges promising to turn over their states to Tinubu or risk losing their chances of winning a second term in office.

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