The Northern Elders Unity Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party has voiced alarm over widespread defections of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress in Zamfara and Kaduna states. The group attributes the moves to inducements by the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle. Party officials insist the PDP remains resilient despite the challenges.
In a statement following a consultative meeting with PDP elders from Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, Tsafe, and Bungudu local government areas in Zamfara, the Northern Elders Unity Forum expressed deep concern about the recent wave of defections to the APC. National Secretary Dr. Abbas Sadauki described the situation as worrisome and harmful to the party's stability in the Northwest region.
Dr. Sadauki accused Minister Mohammed Bello Matawalle of using state resources and personal wealth to lure PDP members. “The minister appears desperate to weaken the PDP’s structures in Zamfara and across the North-West, ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said. He added, “His antecedents of using power and appointments to coerce our loyal members have created a leadership vacuum and dampened morale within our ranks.”
The forum condemned these actions as an attempt to dismantle opposition structures, warning of risks to Nigeria's democracy. “Dismantling opposition groups in whatever form is a dangerous precedent. Many of our members are being misled with false promises of greener pastures in the APC, which does not bode well for the future of democracy in Nigeria,” the statement read. Dr. Sadauki urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution the minister, claiming his efforts aim to uproot democratic structures promoting fairness and justice.
Reports indicate over 24,000 PDP members have defected in Zamfara in recent weeks, including former executives and elders across six local government areas. PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba dismissed the defections as orchestrated moves to weaken the opposition and foster a one-party state. “No amount of blackmail or harassment can silence the PDP. These defections are moves orchestrated by those who want to turn Nigeria into a one-party state,” he stated in Abuja. Ologunagba emphasized the party's history of overcoming such pressures: “This is not the first time we have faced pressure. Each time, we have regrouped and come out stronger.”
Speculation about potential defections by Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu and Douye Diri of Bayelsa has added to party unease, though neither has confirmed any plans.