Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who currently serves as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, is reportedly considering a move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sources close to the situation revealed that discussions regarding the possible defection are ongoing, and the switch could take place this week if negotiations are successfully concluded.
It was gathered that the governor recently held talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some senior members of the APC leadership, where he reportedly indicated his interest in joining the party.
Insiders also suggested that the development may be linked to the legal challenges facing Bauchi’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is currently dealing with terrorism allegations and a money laundering case involving about N4.6 billion. The commissioner is said to have threatened to implicate the governor if he is not released from custody.
Reports indicate that the APC leadership has presented Mohammed with strict conditions for his entry into the party, which differ from arrangements previously given to other defecting governors.
According to one source, the governor might be offered the party’s senatorial ticket as part of the agreement, rather than gaining full control of the APC structure in Bauchi State.
The possibility of his defection has reportedly caused concern among some PDP members, particularly associates of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who are said to be surprised that the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum could consider leaving the party.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi governor is believed to have started consulting political stakeholders within the state as the discussions continue.
If Mohammed eventually joins the APC, the number of governors under the ruling party would increase to 32. Currently, the PDP retains Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde, while the Labour Party governs Abia State with Governor Alex Otti. The All Progressives Grand Alliance controls Anambra State under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and the Accord Party governs Osun State with Governor Ademola Adeleke.
