The Nigerian political landscape witnessed a shift on Tuesday as the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost two serving governors in a single day.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, formally declared for the Accord Party, while his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, announced his defectection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In Osogbo, Governor Adeleke announced his intention to seek re-election for a second term in 2026 on the platform of the Accord Party.

Speaking at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in the presence of the party’s national and state leadership, Adeleke revealed that his move was strategic and had been concluded weeks prior.

“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely on November 6, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026. This was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders,” the Governor disclosed.

Adeleke explained that his decision was driven by the party’s philosophy of welfarism, which he noted aligns perfectly with his administration’s focus on the welfare of citizens and workers.

He emphasized that the move was necessary to complete the delivery of good governance and democratic dividends that his administration has started.

“From Osun West to Osun East to Osun Central, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year,” he declared, urging the party leaders to see themselves as partners in the state’s progress.

Similarly, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara ended months of speculation by officially defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during a high-stakes stakeholders meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Fubara’s defection marks a significant realignment in the oil-rich state and adds to the growing momentum of political movements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While details of the Governor’s next strategic steps remain unfolding, his exit is viewed as a major blow to the PDP’s stronghold in the South-South region.

The move followed a closed-door consultation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday, where key decisions concerning the state’s political future were reportedly discussed.

Speaking at the gathering, which brought together prominent figures from both the PDP and APC, Governor Fubara explained that his defection was motivated by what he described as the PDP’s inability to provide the necessary protection and support during the prolonged political unrest in Rivers State.

He said, “I went to see Mr. President not just for a personal visit, but for a consultation on state matters. The most important outcome of that meeting is that we now have full support to leave where we were because we didn’t get the protection we needed. The struggles we faced were due to the crisis in the state.”

Governor Fubara further credited APC and President Tinubu for providing stability during a challenging period. 

He stated, “If President Tinubu had not intervened, there wouldn’t be a Siminalayi Fubara today. We have the people and supporters with us. Our decision is to move to the APC and fully support the President’s second-term bid.”

Fubara’s announcement follows months of political turbulence in Rivers State, which saw bitter conflicts between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, resulting in parallel legislative assemblies, institutional standoffs, and federal intervention through a six-month emergency rule. 

During this period, key state functions were overseen by federal authorities, with many state-level decisions temporarily suspended.

Speaking at the combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremony of Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, December 6, Fubara credited his continued tenure to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

He said, “It is only by the special grace of God, the special favour from Mr President, that we are standing here still as the ones presiding over the affairs of Rivers State.”

Recall that last week Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembky led by the Speaker also defected to the APC.

The defectors blamed their departure from the PDP on the crisis in the party.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

These simultaneous departures signal a potential reshaping of the opposition’s influence as the nation inches closer to the next election cycle.