Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared his intention to contest for the Senate while signalling an imminent exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid deepening internal crisis within the party.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa following the Supreme Court’s nullification of the PDP’s Ibadan convention, the governor disclosed that consultations with other political platforms had been concluded and that a final decision on his defection would be announced within a week.
“As democrats and committed PDP members who respect the rule of law, we accept the judgement as the will of Allah. It is neither a total defeat for us nor a complete victory for the other side. The efforts we made to defend the rights of our supporters and uphold democracy are clear. While our Ibadan convention was nullified, their leadership was also set aside,” Mohammed said.
He added that, “In line with the party’s constitution, the Board of Trustees will take charge of affairs pending the emergence of an interim leadership, since the court has invalidated the current structure.”
The governor blamed the crisis rocking the PDP on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of undermining the party.
“We find ourselves in a difficult situation. Nyesom Wike and many of his associates are with the APC. His presence in the PDP was aimed at frustrating the party, and to some extent, that has happened. At the same time, we ensured he did not take full control,” he said.
Highlighting the urgency of political realignment ahead of the elections, Mohammed said his camp had already begun exploring alternative platforms.
“Given the limited time, we have begun consultations with other political parties where our people can secure tickets and contest. We do not have the time to form an interim leadership and obtain INEC approval within a few days.
“The focus now is to identify a stable platform for our candidates to participate in the coming elections,” he stated.
He further alleged attempts to engineer a one-candidate presidential race, warning that such a move would undermine democratic competition.
“It was a deliberate attempt for them to emerge as sole candidates and go into the election unchallenged. Even though our loyalty remains with the PDP, we have no option but to look elsewhere.
“With only a few days left, we are working to conclude discussions on where to move. The PDP leadership, including Tanimu Turaki, will remain to pursue the matter, while we give our supporters the opportunity to contest on other platforms. Within a week, we will make our position known in Bauchi,” he said.
On his personal political ambition, Mohammed ruled out a presidential bid, citing zoning arrangements, and instead confirmed his plan to run for the Bauchi South senatorial seat.
“I am not contesting for the presidency. At the party level, we agreed to zone it to the South out of fairness.
“However, based on calls from my people, I will contest the Bauchi South senatorial seat to continue representing them and support our candidates,” he said.
The governor also confirmed ongoing consultations with key opposition figures, including Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, as efforts intensify to forge a broader political alliance.
“We are in talks with Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi. There are calls for the opposition to unite under one platform, but that is not easy. Political realities differ across states and regions, as do the needs of the people,” he added.
Meanwhile, political manoeuvring around the governor has intensified in recent days. A delegation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former SGF Babachir Lawal, visited the Bauchi Government House at the instance of the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, to court Mohammed.
He was also approached by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, though talks reportedly collapsed over disagreements on control of party structures.
As the political landscape in Bauchi shifts, Mohammed has appealed for calm among his supporters, assuring aspirants of opportunities to contest in the forthcoming elections regardless of the platform eventually adopted.
