….Gov’s Makinde, Muhammed’s political future at risk
*Dauda Lawal joins APC
Chuks Akunna
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention it conducted in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16, 2025.
In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
The judgement came on the same day the only PDP-elected governor in the North West zone, Dauda Lawal, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development was confirmed on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the defection followed his principal’s engagements with party leaders, elders and supporters in the state.
Dauda’s defection has further depleted the ranks of the PDP, leaving the opposition party with only Mr. Seyi Makinde and Bala Muhammed, Governors of Oyo and Bauchi states respectively.
In upholding the judgement delivered on October 31, 2025, the appellate court may have jeopardized the political aspirations of Seyi Makinde and Bala Muhammed,
Both governors are serving out their second and final terms in office, and have at different foa vowed to pursue their future political ambitions on the platform of the PDP.
With the courts effectively handing the PDP leadership to the political opponents of Governors Makinde and Bala Muhammed, their chances of either contesting elections on the party’s platform, or sponsoring candidates on the platform, appears to have dimmed.
Only days ago, Makinde assured political appointees in his government seeking to contest elective offices, to do so on the PDP platform, boasting “nothing will happen”.
The Bauchi State governor has of late been quiet on his next political move, after his preferred choice for the 2027 presidential seat, former President Goodluck Jonathan, appeared to have developed cold feet about challenging President Tinubu in the race.
On his part, Governor Makinde and his close associates have been vocal about his eligibility to challenge President Tinubu using the PDP platform. He is also believed to be bent on installing his successor, using the PDP platform.
Days ago, Makinde told political appointees in his government interested in contesting political offices to declare their intentions early, insisting that PDP remained the only credible opposition platform.
He noted that the directive became necessary following claims that he had not “freed” aspirants in his government despite the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Makinde said: “I have read on social media that I have not given the go-ahead to political appointees who have ambitions to hold different political offices, including the governorship seat. So, henceforth, you are free. Whoever wants to contest for any position, put up your billboards. And for those concerned about the PDP crisis, include the party’s logo on your billboard—nothing will happen.”
