There are indications that the Governors of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, may no longer proceed with plans to defect to the African Democratic Congress, following recent developments within the opposition party.
Credible sources close to Makinde and the ADC told Sunday Punch that both governors had slowed down consultations about joining the party after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of the ADC leadership.
Investigations also revealed that INEC’s action has created uncertainty among National Assembly members and other politicians who were reportedly considering joining the ADC.
The electoral commission on Wednesday removed the names of the National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark from its official portal.
INEC said the action followed a Court of Appeal ruling, directing parties involved in the leadership dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The crisis stems from a prolonged leadership tussle within the party, with rival factions led by Nafiu Gombe and Mark laying claim to the party’s national structure.
According to the commission, the appellate court, in a judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, ordered all parties to refrain from actions that could prejudice the outcome of the case.
However, the Mark-led National Working Committee rejected the electoral commission’s decision and called for the dissolution of INEC.
The faction also insisted it would continue preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for April 14 in Abuja.
The leadership crisis has cast doubts on the party’s stability at a time when several politicians are considering joining the platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier reports indicated that Makinde and Bala were among the top political figures considering joining the ADC amid the lingering crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party.
Bala, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, had hinted at a possible move to the ADC after meeting with a delegation of the party led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Presidential Lodge in Bauchi.
The governor said he had exhausted all efforts to reconcile differences within the PDP.
He described the ADC as a “preferred destination,” while adding that consultations were still ongoing to ensure a well-informed decision.
Makinde May Abandon Defection Plan — Source
An ally of Makinde, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, suggested that the Oyo governor might reconsider his interest in the ADC.
“I’m not sure Makinde will join the ADC again because ever since INEC’s derecognition of the ADC leadership, he has not been showing interest in further engagements with the ADC leaders,” the source said.
Reacting to the speculation, Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, dismissed claims that the governor was planning to leave the PDP.
“The information is mere rumours, nothing like that,” Olanrewaju said.
He also denied suggestions that Makinde was delaying a move to the ADC because of uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership.
Bauchi PDP Insists Governor Remains In Party
Similarly, the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP said Governor Bala Mohammed had not defected to the ADC.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Dayyabu Chiroma, said the governor remained in the PDP despite earlier speculation that he might announce a defection.
“All I can tell you is that we are still in the PDP, and we are stronger together,” Chiroma said.
He explained that although the party had set up a committee to assess its political future, no decision had been taken to leave the platform.
“Yes, we have established a committee to make findings on our political future, but we are still in the PDP and have not moved to any other platform,” he added.
