Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed Set To Dump PDP For APC

Indications have emerged that the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, may be planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Investigations by ThisDay revealed that the governor is expected to join the ruling party this week, barring any last-minute changes.

Sources familiar with the development said negotiations over the terms of his defection were still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

According to sources, Mohammed had informed President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership of his intention to join the party.

One of the insiders who spoke with ThisDay disclosed that the governor had been offered the APC senatorial ticket, along with other privileges extended to governors who had previously defected to the ruling party.

However, sources said the conditions presented to Mohammed were more stringent than those given to earlier defectors.

It was learnt that the governor may not be allowed to take control of the APC structure in Bauchi State.

“Unlike the privileges extended to the early defectors, Bala Mohammed can’t get the full APC structure in Bauchi. They told him the best he could get is his ticket to the Senate since he is nursing the ambition, but he can’t nominate his successor.

“He was told in clear terms. He is stuck, from all indications,” one source said.

Another source suggested that Mohammed’s planned defection might be connected to the legal challenges facing his Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.

Adamu is reportedly facing terrorism-related charges and a money laundering case involving about ₦4.6 billion.

The source claimed the commissioner had threatened to implicate the governor if he was not released from custody.

Further conditions reportedly include an apology to Seyi Tinubu, son of the president, over an incident involving the governor’s son.

According to sources, the controversy followed criticism by Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed after Seyi Tinubu distributed Ramadan palliatives in Bauchi State in March 2025.

“They didn’t forget the embarrassment it caused them, and they have asked him to go and apologise to Seyi Tinubu. In fact, this particular condition is taken seriously,” the source said.

Reports indicate that the governor has already apologised to the president’s son as part of the negotiations.

Push For Influence In Succession

However, Mohammed is said to be uncomfortable with the restriction preventing him from influencing the choice of his successor in Bauchi.

Sources disclosed that he had approached the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to intervene with the president on a possible 60–40 sharing arrangement of the party structure in the state.

He is also believed to have convened a stakeholders’ meeting in Bauchi this week as part of preparations for the planned defection.

The development has reportedly sparked anger among members of the PDP, particularly those aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Party sources said some members viewed the planned move as a betrayal, especially given Mohammed’s role as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Some party members reportedly argued that if the forum chairman could not remain to defend the party, it raised serious concerns about the future of the opposition.

If Mohammed eventually defects, the number of governors in the APC is expected to rise to 32.

At present, the PDP retains Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, while the Labour Party controls Abia State with Governor Alex Otti.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance governs Anambra State through Governor Chukwuma Soludo, while the Accord Party holds Osun State with Governor Ademola Adeleke.