Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a significant political development that has rattled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, the lawmaker representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has formally defected from the PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defection, announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Akwanga, marks a major setback for the PDP in the state and signals shifting political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Senator Onawo — who was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the PDP platform after defeating former Governor and incumbent Senator Umaru Tanko Al‑Makura of the All Progressives Congress (APC) — is the only PDP senator from Nasarawa State, making his exit particularly consequential for the opposition party’s standing in the region.
The meeting that formalised Onawo’s departure also saw a number of prominent political figures announce their alignment with the ADC. Present at the event were former Minister of Information Senator Patricia Akwashiki, former Minister of State for Justice Barr. Musa Elayo, and former Minister of Environment Barr. Hassan Mohammed Abdullahi — all of whom have switched allegiance from the PDP to the ADC as part of what supporters are describing as a broader realignment in the state’s political landscape.
Onawo’s transition to the ADC took place amid ongoing internal disputes within the PDP’s state structure. While PDP leaders attempted at various times to resolve party differences — including extending reconciliation overtures to factions loyal to the senator after a court upheld the state party executive — the defectors appeared to reject those moves, asserting that the party’s internal crisis has undermined its cohesion and effectiveness.
The defection of Onawo and several veteran politicians has raised questions about the PDP’s organisational strength in Nasarawa State, where it had been a competitive force. The ADC has sought to position itself as a rising alternative ahead of the 2027 elections, drawing political heavyweights disillusioned with the two major parties. The interim leadership of the ADC in Nasarawa, including figures such as former Deputy Governor Dr. John Mike Abdul, has welcomed the new members and signalled plans to build a stronger opposition coalition within the state.
Political analysts say Onawo’s move not only weakens the PDP’s presence in the National Assembly but also reflects wider trends of political realignment in Nigeria, where defections and party migrations often intensify in the run‑up to major elections. With the next general election now in view, parties are increasingly seeking to consolidate alliances, attract influential leaders, and expand their support bases. Ogoshi Onawo’s defection is likely to further shape the competitive landscape, particularly in the North Central region.
Supporters of the ADC argue that the influx of seasoned politicians like Onawo — who has previously served as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and as a member of the House of Representatives — bolsters the party’s credibility and electoral prospects. Meanwhile, the PDP has sought to downplay the impact of the defections, with state leadership dismissing critics’ claims of imminent collapse and stressing the need for unity and rebuilding within the party.
As the political scene evolves, all eyes will be on how the defection affects grassroots mobilisation, party structures in Nasarawa, and broader strategies as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
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