The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on October 14, 2025, suffered one of its biggest political setbacks in recent years, losing a sitting governor, a senator, and three members of the House of Representatives to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a single day.
The political earthquake began with the defection of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, who formally dumped the PDP to join the ruling APC in a move described as a strategic realignment aimed at connecting the state to the federal centre for accelerated development.
Governor Mbah’s defection triggered ripple effects across the state, strengthening the APC’s grip on power and shaking the PDP’s internal structure in Enugu. But it didn’t end there.
On the same day, Senator Samaila Dahuwa, representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, also defected from the PDP to the APC. His defection was announced on the floor of the Senate during plenary.
In his letter, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Dahuwa blamed prolonged internal divisions, recurring factionalism, and a loss of strategic direction within the PDP as his reasons for leaving.
“As one deeply committed to the service of our nation and the welfare of my people, I have found it necessary to realign my political engagements with a more progressive platform—one that embodies good governance, unity, growth, and discipline,” Senator Dahuwa stated.
He pledged his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the administration’s reforms as “bold and transformative,” capable of restoring economic stability and repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth.
“These efforts reflect the decisive leadership our country needs,” he added.
Senator Dahuwa also expressed appreciation to Senate President Akpabio for what he described as the “exemplary leadership” of the 10th Senate, which he credited with fostering unity and attracting lawmakers across party lines into the APC.
The announcement drew mixed reactions on the Senate floor. Some lawmakers welcomed him into the APC fold, while opposition members remained silent on the implications for PDP’s strength in the upper chamber.
Akpabio congratulated Dahuwa on his defection, saying,
“On behalf of the APC family in the Senate, we welcome you, Senator Dahuwa. Your decision is a testament to the leadership and vision of our great party under President Bola Tinubu.”
The day’s political drama intensified further in the House of Representatives when three PDP lawmakers from Kaduna State — Hon. Abdulkarim Ahmed (Kaduna South), Hon. Aliyu Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau), and Hon. Sadiq Abdullahi (Sabon Gari) — also defected to the APC.
Their defection letters were read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary. The lawmakers cited the lingering crisis within the PDP and the interest of their constituents as reasons for their decision.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, himself a former lawmaker, was present in the Green Chamber to witness the mass defection of the legislators into his party.
The wave of defections marks a significant political shift, with PDP losing key figures at state and national levels in a single day — a development many political observers believe could is an indication of the pattern the 2027 geberal elections will follow.
