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🎉 Political Party • Nigeria 2026

List of PDP Governors in Nigeria 2026

Complete list of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, their states and details — updated August 2026. PDP currently controls 3 of 37 states (8% of Nigeria).

3 PDP Governors
8% States Controlled
1998 Year Founded
34 States in Opposition
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About the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Party overview • Founded 1998

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is Nigeria's oldest surviving major political party and the main opposition party as of 2026. Founded in 1998 ahead of Nigeria's return to democracy, the PDP dominated Nigerian politics for 16 unbroken years (1999–2015), producing three presidents — Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. After losing the 2015 presidential election to the APC, the PDP has remained the principal opposition force. As of July 2026, following waves of defections to APC, the PDP controls Bauchi and Oyo States.

Ideology: Social democracy, Federalism, Mixed economy

Headquarters: Wadata Plaza, Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja

National Chairman: Iliya Damagun (Caretaker)

Founded by: Jerry Gana, Alex Ekwueme, Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh and pro-democracy activists

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PDP Governors by Geopolitical Zone
Distribution of PDP states across Nigeria's 6 zones
North West
0
North East
1
North Central
0
South West
0
South East
0
South South
2
PDP is strongest in the South South (2 states) and has no presence in the North West (0 states).
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History of the Peoples Democratic Party
From founding to 2026

The PDP was founded in August 1998 by a coalition of pro-democracy activists, retired military officers and civilian politicians. The party won every presidential election from 1999 to 2011. At its peak it controlled over 28 governorships simultaneously. The 2015 defeat triggered mass defections. The party's Atiku Abubakar ran for president in 2019 and 2023. Multiple defections in 2024–2026, including governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Rivers, Enugu, Cross River, Plateau and others, reduced PDP to its lowest-ever governorship count.

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PDP Key Achievements in Governance
Major milestones since 1998

Governed Nigeria for 16 consecutive years (1999–2015). Produced three Nigerian presidents. Oversaw Nigeria's GDP rebasing in 2014 making it Africa's largest economy. Achieved significant debt relief under President Obasanjo.

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APC vs PDP vs Other Parties — Governor Count 2026
Political party control of Nigerian states compared
Party Full Name Governors Share of States
APC All Progressives Congress 27
73%
PDP Peoples Democratic Party 3
8%
Accord Accord Party 1
3%
APGA All Progressives Grand Alliance 1
3%
LP Labour Party 1
3%
NNPP New Nigeria Peoples Party 1
3%
AA Action Alliance 0
0%
AAC African Action Congress 0
0%
ADC African Democratic Congress 0
0%
ADP Action Democratic Party 0
0%
APM Allied Peoples Movement 0
0%
APP Action Peoples Party 0
0%
BP Boot Party 0
0%
DLA Democratic Leadership Alliance 0
0%
NDC Nigeria Democratic Congress 0
0%
NDP National Democratic Party 0
0%
NRM National Rescue Movement 0
0%
PRP Peoples Redemption Party 0
0%
SDP Social Democratic Party 0
0%
YP Youth Party 0
0%
YPP Young Progressive Party 0
0%
ZLP Zenith Labour Party 0
0%
Data as of August 2026 • Party counts change with defections • Total: 37 states & FCT
Frequently Asked Questions — PDP 2026
Common questions about Peoples Democratic Party governors and states

As of July 2026, following significant defections to APC, the PDP controls Bauchi State (Gov. Bala Mohammed) and Oyo State (Gov. Seyi Makinde), and Taraba State (Gov. Agbu Kefas) — approximately 3 governorships.

PDP was founded in August 1998 by a coalition of pro-democracy activists ahead of Nigeria's transition from military to civilian rule in 1999.

As of 2026, PDP governors include Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba). The party has seen its governorship count fall significantly due to defections to APC.

Yes. PDP produced three Nigerian presidents: Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007), Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (2007–2010) and Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015). The party lost the presidency to APC in 2015.