Bauchi, NIGERIA — Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has officially announced his intention to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within the next seven days. Speaking on Saturday, the Governor revealed that the recent Supreme Court judgement nullifying the PDP Ibadan Convention—which invalidated the leadership of the Tanimu Turaki-led faction—has left his camp with no viable option but to seek a “stable platform” for the 2027 elections.
The Governor, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, blamed the collapse of the party on internal sabotage, specifically naming FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as a primary source of the crisis. Bala Mohammed disclosed that while he remains in consultation with figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, he is currently considering the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a preferred destination. This follows a high-profile visit from an ADC delegation led by Babachir Lawal on behalf of Senator David Mark.
Okay News reports that earlier talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed after the ruling party rejected a “60/40” power-sharing formula for the Bauchi state structure.
From Presidential Aspirant to Senatorial Candidate
In a surprising shift in political strategy, Governor Mohammed confirmed that he will no longer pursue a presidential bid for 2027. Citing the need for “fairness” and the party’s decision to zone the presidency to the South, he announced that he will instead contest the Bauchi South Senatorial seat. This move is seen as an effort to consolidate his influence within the state and provide a platform for his supporters to contest other positions under his leadership.
The Governor urged his supporters to remain calm, assuring aspirants that they would not be left behind in the transition to a new party. With the INEC primary deadline of May 30, 2026, looming, the Bala Mohammed camp is working against the clock to finalize their exit. “We do not have the time to form an interim leadership and obtain INEC approval within a few days,” the Governor stated, emphasizing the urgency of identifying a platform that can accommodate his entire political structure from the ward to the state level.
