By Erewunmi Peace

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has raised concerns over what he described as increasing harassment and political intimidation of opposition governors, allegedly aimed at coercing them into defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Ologbondiyan claimed that recent defections of PDP governors were not entirely voluntary, but rather the result of sustained pressure and threats.

“Governors are being harassed, humiliated, and forced to abandon the PDP,” he said. “They are doing everything possible to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.”

This statement follows the recent high-profile defections of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, both of whom recently joined the APC, fueling speculation and reactions from political stakeholders.

While Ologbondiyan stopped short of naming individuals behind the alleged coercion, he insinuated that elements within the APC are using federal influence to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC has not officially responded to the allegations at the time of this report.

Political analysts have described the wave of defections as part of a strategic realignment ahead of upcoming elections, though concerns continue to grow about the state of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.