The Nigerian political scene is witnessing significant realignments as two prominent politicians, former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, have officially parted ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a decisive shift in the state’s political dynamics. The former governor, who led Imo briefly before his removal by the Supreme Court in 2020, also directed members of his influential political support group, the Rebuild Imo Movement (RIM), to collapse their structure into the ADC and work for the party’s growth ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ihedioha’s exit from the PDP comes amid reported dissatisfaction with the party’s internal leadership and decision-making processes. Political analysts interpret the move as a calculated attempt by Ihedioha to reposition himself and his loyalists as a credible opposition force in Imo and the wider South-East region.
Similarly, in Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term governor, has also dumped the PDP. While Tambuwal is yet to officially announce his new political platform, sources close to his camp suggest consultations are ongoing with various opposition parties. His defection adds to the growing list of high-profile exits from the PDP as political actors across the country begin early maneuvers ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tambuwal, who was the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council Director General in the 2023 elections, cited irreconcilable differences and dissatisfaction with the direction of the party as reasons for his decision.
Observers note that both defections, though from different regions, reflect a larger pattern of political recalibration as Nigeria’s major opposition party grapples with internal challenges and loss of key figures.
With these developments, both Ihedioha and Tambuwal are expected to play significant roles in shaping opposition politics in their respective regions, as the political atmosphere gradually builds toward the next electoral cycle.
