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From Paul Orude Bauchi
Barely 24 hours after Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, signalled intention to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid lingering crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a fresh political twist has emerged.
In a dramatic development, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, arrived in Bauchi yesterday, accompanied by Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabiru Yusuf and other APC leaders.
The APC delegation visited Governor Mohammed at the Government House, where both parties held a meeting that lasted for about two hours. Details of the discussion were not made public but political observers believe it may not be unconnected with the governor’s earlier declaration to join the ADC.
This came shortly after Mohammed received a high-powered delegation from the ADC led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, on behalf of the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark.
During the visit, ADC leadership described the Bauchi governor as a fighter and expressed readiness to welcome him into the party as a key political figure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mohammed had earlier lamented that efforts to reconcile aggrieved factions within the PDP had failed, accusing the camp aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of frustrating peace moves.
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He disclosed that he constituted reconciliation committees at both the federal and state levels but the initiatives yielded no positive results.
The governor also revealed that he had explored the possibility of joining the APC and met with President Bola Tinubu on three occasions.
According to him, the president showed willingness to work with him as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum but internal resistance from some party stakeholders hindered progress.
“Since I am no longer wanted, I believe the right thing to do is to move on,” the governor said, adding that he was amenable to move to the ADC along with the entire PDP structure in Bauchi State, from the federal to the local government levels on Thursday (today) if the discussions and conditions are fruitful.
However, with the sudden visit by the APC national leadership, political analysts suggest that the ruling party may be making a last-minute effort to persuade the governor to reconsider his decision.
A reliable source disclosed that the governor was expected to be to Abuja yesterday for a crucial meeting, which could determine his final political direction.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to determine which direction the political pendulum would swing. Either way, it is now evident that Governor Mohammed may have lost hope in rebuilding the PDP and is actively exploring alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
