Senator Ipalibo Banigo has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Banigo’s defection letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

As reported by The Punch, the federal lawmaker said her decision to join APC is to advance development in Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, said her decision is intended to align politically with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“The decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, my political associates, and critical stakeholders across my senatorial district, given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the People’s Democratic Party, which have adversely affected cohesion.

“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to join my political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in supporting President Bola Tinubu, to actualize his re-election bids and enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across our dear nation.”

Zamfara state deputy governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, has announced the defection of the state’s leadership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The news means President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has further consolidated his political grip across Nigeria following the defection of the Zamfara state government to the APC.

In a video that has gone viral, the announcement was made by Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mummuni on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal, confirming that the state leadership had formally aligned with the ruling party.

The move widens Tinubu’s influence at the subnational level, with the APC now governing more than 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The development reinforces the party’s dominance as 2027 general elections draw near.

Barely any last minute change, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and his Oyo State counterpart Seyi Makinde will quit their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before April, DAILY POST reports.

It has been a tumultuous period for the PDP as its key leaders continue to defect following the protracted leadership tussle bedeviling the opposition platform.

A credible source familiar with developments in the party told DAILY POST weekend that while Bala Mohammed is on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Makinde has concluded plans to join the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The source, who spoke anonymously, told our correspondent that “all the PDP leaders are leaving. Bala Mohammed is already in APC, Makinde is on his way to ADC”.

How governors resigned from PDP

Since 2023 general elections, no fewer than 9 PDP governors have left the party, citing an irreconcilable crisis in the opposition party.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State was first to dump the party for APC in April 2025.

Subsequently, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom joined the ruling party in June 2025, followed by Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who also decamped to APC in October 2025.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri joined APC in November 2025, followed by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who also defected to the ruling party in December 2025.

In January this year, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State all dumped PDP for the ruling party.

Only Ademola Adeleke of Osun State defected to the Accord Party in December 2025.

Meanwhile, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has indicated interest to dump PDP for APC.

DAILY POST gathered that Governor Dauda will be officially received into the party immediately after the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Both federal and state lawmakers are not left out in the gale of defections from the PDP to the ruling APC.

According to a tracking by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre up to January 2026, 66 PDP federal lawmakers have defected to APC since the 10th National Assembly began in June 2023.

No fewer than 19 senators and 47 House of Representatives members dumped PDP for APC

Defectors move to beat INEC deadline

Politicians planning to defect to another party are under pressure to conclude their plans before April following the new election timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In the new timetable, INEC fixed January 16, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state houses of assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

However, the conduct of party primary elections, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026.

DAILY POST reports that under the revised schedule, political parties are required to submit their membership register to the electoral body between April 1, 2026 and April 21, 2026 in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The electoral law requires registers to be submitted “not later than 21 days to the conduct of party primaries.”

Similarly, political parties must conduct their primaries latest May 30, 2026 to enable them “democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026,” said INEC.