Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa Governors: Defection Drama Unfolds

By: Abudu Olalekan

Nigeria’s democracy trembles as PDP strongholds teeter on the edge. Taraba, Plateau, and Adamawa governors eye jump to APC. Inside the chaos, whispers of backroom deals and a nation at a crossroads

It’s happening. Again. Nigeria’s political ground won’t stop shaking. And this time? The tremors are loudest in the North. Governors who once stood tall for the PDP? They’re eyeing the exit door. All signs point to one man’s shadow: President Bola Tinubu. Call it the “Hurricane Tinubu” effect. Because right now, three states—Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa—are clutching their PDP flags like lifelines. But the winds are howling. Defection or dead end? The clock’s ticking.

Let’s be real. The PDP’s glory days? Fading. Fast. Once, they ruled Nigeria for 16 straight years. Now? They’re clinging to just 8 states. Eight. Out of 36. It’s a free fall. And the defections? They’re coming in waves. First, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu. Now, all eyes lock on Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri, Plateau’s Caleb Mutfwang. Even Zamfara’s Dauda Lawal’s name gets tossed around. The APC? They’re not just watching. They’re waiting with open arms.

Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, APC’s top dog in the South-East, didn’t mince words when he spilled to Reportersroom. “Four governors are in talks,” he said, leaning in. “Plateau, Taraba, Rivers, Abia too.” His tone? Casual but sharp. Like a man who knows the score. “It’s a done deal soon,” he added. “Before year’s end.” Why the rush? Simple. The APC’s selling stability. “We’re the only party that works,” he shrugged. “Progressives want in.”

But let’s zoom in. State by state. Because each story’s a powder keg.

Taraba: The 26-Year Streak on the Brink
Kefas hasn’t said a word. Not publicly. But sources? They’re singing. Talks with APC powerbrokers are in “advanced stages.” One insider even whispered, “He’s gone. It’s just timing.” If Kefas jumps? PDP’s 26-year rule in Taraba evaporates. Just like that. PDP loyalists? They’re sweating bullets. “He’s the glue,” one admitted. “If he leaves, we’re dust.” But the APC camp? They’re grinning. “Kefas is a performer,” a Jalingo source said. “He’ll boost us for 2027.” True or not, the silence from Kefas’ camp is deafening. His allies? They’re suddenly busy. Visiting APC states. Meeting federal folks. Reading between the lines? Not hard.

Adamawa: The Opposition King’s Dilemma
Fintiri’s different. He’s built his brand on beating the odds. Twice, he won governorship when the APC ruled Nigeria. So why’s the APC circling now? Their man in Adamawa, Mohammed Abdullahi, claims talks are “fruitful.” “He’s coming home,” he insisted. But Fintiri’s crew? They’re firing back. “Fantasy,” one PDP chieftain scoffed. “He’s our compass. He won’t bail when Nigeria needs him.” Then came the grenade: Fintiri met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. For four hours. What was on the table? Whispers say the APC offered Fintiri the moon—pick his successor, grab a ministerial seat, even a 2027 Senate slot. But his team’s pushing back. “He’s PDP to the core,” an aide said. “Not budging.” For now.

Plateau: The “No” That Split the APC
Mutfwang’s been loud and clear. “I’m not leaving!” he declared at a rally, turning to the crowd. “You decide my fate!” They roared back, “Stay!” But the pressure? Relentless. APC’s been knocking on his door for months. So much so, the Plateau APC held an emergency meeting. Their verdict? “We reject him.” Flat out. But then? The plot twisted. The North Central APC Forum exploded. “Selfish!” they cried. “We want Mutfwang! He’s a winner!” Now the APC’s at war with itself. One side says he’s toxic. The other? They’re begging him to jump. Even APC chair Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda’s caught in the crossfire. “We can manage it,” Arodiogbu said, playing peacemaker. “He’s welcome.” Mutfwang’s team? They’re doubling down. “He’s PDP,” his aide stated. “End of story.” But the rumors? They’re still swirling.

Zamfara: The Governor Who Cried “Wolf”?
Lawal’s playing a dangerous game. His spokesman, Mustafa Kaura, keeps shouting, “He’s not leaving!” They’ve even blasted radio jingles: “Dauda stays with PDP!” But here’s the sting. Last week, 15 of his closest PDP allies defected. To the APC. That’s not a trickle. It’s a flood. And they didn’t go quietly. “PDP only cares about the rich!” one defector yelled. The APC’s eating it up. Their chair, Tukur Danfulani, crowed, “PDP’s dead here. We’ll win 2027.” But Lawal’s camp? They’re in overdrive. Denial after denial. Yet the question hangs: If your team’s jumping ship, how long can you stay?

So What Now, Nigeria?
This isn’t just politics as usual. It’s a sink-or-swim moment for democracy. If the PDP keeps bleeding governors, they’ll be a shell. And a one-party state? It’s no longer a “what if.” Analysts are sounding alarms. “Where’s the accountability?” one asked. “If the opposition vanishes, who checks the APC?” The PDP’s facing an existential crisis. Hold the line or collapse? For governors like Kefas, Fintiri, Mutfwang, the weight’s crushing. Loyalty or survival? Ideals or power? The answers could shape Nigeria’s future. Because when the hurricane hits, there’s no middle ground. You ride the wave or get swept away.