Peoples Democratic Party Grapples with Defections as Key Senators Announce Exit, Fueling 2027 Realignment Talk.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria's main opposition party, is currently experiencing significant internal turbulence with fresh defections of key figures. Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, yesterday, Saturday, July 19, 2025, formally announced his resignation from the party, citing "irreconcilable differences and unresolved legal battles" as reasons for his departure. His resignation follows that of other notable members and adds to the growing concerns about the party's cohesion and strength as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
Fadahunsi's exit underscores a deeper crisis within the PDP, which has been grappling with internal squabbles and legal challenges since its defeat in the 2023 presidential elections. The party's leadership has been under intense scrutiny, with various factions vying for control and different prominent figures expressing dissatisfaction with its direction and policies. These defections are indicative of a potential larger realignment within the Nigerian political landscape, as politicians begin to position themselves for the next electoral cycle.
Adding to the PDP's woes, veteran journalist and former presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, also announced his resignation from the party, declaring that he had joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Momodu cited the "hijack by anti-democratic forces" within the PDP as his primary reason for leaving. His move, along with others forming or joining new coalitions, suggests a growing fragmentation of the opposition, with attempts to create formidable "third forces" or strengthened alternative platforms capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The implications of these defections for the PDP are profound. They not only diminish the party's numerical strength in the National Assembly but also signal a waning confidence among some of its influential members. As the political chess game for 2027 intensifies, the PDP will need to urgently address its internal issues, reconcile aggrieved members, and articulate a clear vision if it hopes to regain its footing and present a unified front against the ruling party. The current wave of departures paints a picture of an opposition in flux, ripe for restructuring or further fragmentation.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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