2027: Gov. Makinde, Bala Mohammed Set To Dump Party

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, are reportedly set to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before April.

Naija News reports that it has been a tumultuous period for the PDP as its key leaders continue to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)  following the protracted leadership tussle bedevilling the opposition platform.

Since the 2023 general elections, no fewer than 9 PDP governors, 19 senators, and 47 members of the House of Representatives have left the party, citing an irreconcilable crisis within the opposition party.

According to Daily Post, a credible source familiar with developments within the PDP disclosed that while Bala Mohammed is on his way to the APC, Makinde has concluded plans to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The source said, “All the PDP leaders are leaving. Bala Mohammed is already in APC, Makinde is on his way to ADC”.

INEC Deadline Puts Politicians Under Pressure

There is no doubt that many politicians planning to defect to another party are under pressure to conclude their plans before April, following the new election timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that in the revised timetable, INEC fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state houses of assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

However, the conduct of party primary elections, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026.

Under the revised schedule, political parties are required to submit their membership register to the electoral body between April 1, 2026 and April 21, 2026, in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The electoral law requires registers to be submitted “not later than 21 days before the conduct of party primaries.”

Similarly, political parties must conduct their primaries by May 30, 2026, to enable them “democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026,” said INEC.