2027: Inside the Historic Defections Reshaping Nigeria’s Political Map

Political shifts have defined Nigeria’s political landscape throughout 2025.

On April 23, 2025, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending decades of regional political dominance by the PDP. 

Just yesterday, October 14, 2025, it was confirmed that Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah had also defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These defections are being viewed as among the most significant political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Enugu State

Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, Enugu has been a stronghold of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). 

Governors from PDP have held the office without interruption: Chimaroke Nnamani (1999–2007), Sullivan Chime (2007–2015), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (2015–2023).  

Additionally, the PDP has consistently won almost all elective positions in the state; House of Assembly, local government councils, etc.

Governor Mbah’s defection on October 14, 2025, therefore marks the end of a 26-year PDP dominance in Enugu. 

It also means that Enugu, once the “last PDP governor-led South-East state,” is now under the APC.  A major blow to the PDP.

Delta State 

Similarly, Delta has been a PDP bastion since 1999. 

The first governor after the return to democracy was James Ibori (1999–2007), followed by Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007–2015), Ifeanyi Okowa (2015-2023), and then Sheriff Oborevwori, all from PDP.  

The defection of Oborevwori signaled a collapse of the PDP structure in Delta, as he was joined by his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa and many other party leaders, local and state government officials.

These defections are reshaping the political map in both states and have broader implications for the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.

Enugu’s drift to APC ends PDP control in the South-East governorships. 

In Delta, the PDP’s loss of the governorship and its party machinery is likely to weaken its influence in federal allocations, political appointments, and grassroots mobilisation. 

The defections of Governors Sheriff Oborevwori and Peter Mbah mark historic turning points for their respective states. 

In Delta, Oborevwori’s switch dismantles what was once considered PDP’s stronghold in the South-South. 

These events strengthens APC’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.