Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum is reportedly planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) this week.
According to an investigative report by THISDAY, the governor has already held discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leaders of the APC regarding the proposed move, although negotiations over the terms of his defection are still ongoing.
Sources familiar with the discussions disclosed that Mohammed was offered the APC senatorial ticket after completing his tenure as governor, along with privileges similar to those granted to other governors who previously joined the ruling party. However, he may not be granted full control of the party structure in Bauchi State or the right to nominate his successor.
The president was also said to have made it clear that the APC structure in the state would remain intact, unlike arrangements reached with some earlier defectors.
The planned move is believed to be linked to the legal troubles facing the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is reportedly facing terrorism and money laundering charges involving about ₦4.6 billion.
Meanwhile, sources within the camp of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in the PDP have reportedly expressed shock and disappointment over the development, describing it as a setback for ongoing efforts to rebuild and reposition the opposition party.
GaskiyaCast reports that another condition reportedly presented to Mohammed was that he apologise to Seyi Tinubu over a controversy last year involving the governor’s son, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, who criticised Tinubu’s distribution of Ramadan palliatives in Bauchi and called for more sustainable empowerment initiatives.
Despite reservations about some of the conditions, Mohammed is said to have begun consultations with political stakeholders in Bauchi State as he prepares for the possible defection.
If the move eventually happens, the APC would increase its number of governors nationwide, further strengthening the ruling party’s political dominance ahead of future elections.
