WorldStage– The Abuja Court of Appeal’s ruling today, Monday, March 9, 2026 upholding the nullification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan on November 15-16, 2025 may be giving credit to earlier rumour of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and his Oyo State counterpart Seyi Makinde quitting the party soon.
The judgment has intensified speculation that Governors Makinde and Mohammed may defect from the PDP due to the deepening internal crisis and the invalidation of the leadership structure they backed.
According to sources familiar with developments in the party, Bala Mohammed is on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, while Governor Seyi Makinde is weighing options, including joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Political figures from other parties, such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have publicly urged the governors to join them, arguing that remaining in the PDP poses a high risk for their 2027 ambitions.
Despite the setback and the rumoured defection of both governors, the faction aligned with the governors (the Turaki-led group) is expected to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the appellate court’s decision.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bala Mohammed, has called for calm, urged party members to remain law-abiding, and announced that the party leadership will meet to chart a post-judgment course of action.
The ruling reinforces a faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, which has already established a 13-member National Caretaker Committee.
The judgment has severely weakened the influence of the governors within the party, with reports describing them as the “last standing” defenders of the current leadership.
The Appellate Court, in a unanimous decision, found that the convention in Ibadan was conducted in violation of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, and it affirmed the suspension of pro-Wike leaders, effectively strengthening the Wike-backed caretaker committee.
