Collapse of PDP looms as Bauchi State Governor allegedly prepares to defect to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party's influence may be waning as Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of its Governors' Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, is reportedly on the verge of defecting to the All Progressives Congress this week, assuming no unexpected obstacles arise.

n

According to a recent report, the terms of Mohammed's defection are still being negotiated, with multiple sources indicating that he has already met with President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership to signal his intention to join the ruling party.

n

Mohammed has allegedly been offered the APC senatorial ticket, along with the same allowances given to other governors who previously defected to the party, but with certain conditions attached.

n

Unlike earlier defectors, however, President Tinubu has drawn a firm line on granting Mohammed full control of the APC structure in Bauchi State, with sources stating that Mohammed will not be allowed to nominate his successor.

n

A source close to the negotiations revealed that Mohammed's options are limited, saying "Unlike the privileges extended to the early defectors, Bala Mohammed can’t get the full APC structure in Bauchi, he was told in clear terms, and he is stuck, from all indications."

n

Mohammed's defection may not be entirely voluntary, as it is reportedly linked to the legal troubles of his Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is facing terrorism charges and a money laundering case involving approximately N4.6 billion.

n

The commissioner allegedly threatened to implicate the governor if he was not released from custody, adding complexity to the negotiations.

n

Furthermore, Mohammed was reportedly required to apologise to President Tinubu's son, Seyi Tinubu, over a public altercation involving his own son, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, last year.

n

Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed had criticised Seyi Tinubu for distributing food items in Bauchi State during Ramadan in 2025, calling for more sustainable empowerment initiatives instead.

n

Mohammed has tendered an apology, despite being uncomfortable with other conditions attached to the deal, with succession being a major concern for him.

n

He wants a say in who succeeds him as governor, citing concerns about his political legacy, and has approached APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to lobby the president for a 60/40 structure-sharing arrangement in Bauchi State.

n

In anticipation of a favourable outcome, Mohammed has convened a stakeholders' meeting in the state this week, indicating his seriousness about completing the defection.

n

Should Mohammed complete his defection, the APC's gubernatorial strength would rise to 32, leaving the PDP with only Governor Makinde of Oyo State, while other parties hold various states, including Abia, Anambra, and Osun.