By Editor
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, is yet to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he is yet to cut a deal with the party,a reliable source within the ruling party told Daily Trust last night.
The source, a top official of the APC, said the party has not entered into any deal with the Bauchi governor over the defection even though it is being speculated that he is joining the party.
The source insisted that as far as the party is concerned, no consultations have been held with either the governor or his associates on the matter, maintaining that most of the issues have remained within the realm of speculation.
Daily Trust checks at the Bauchi Government House indicated that there was confusion over the alleged defection of the governor to the APC.
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When contacted, the state’s Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammad Hassan Tilde, referred our reporter to the APC leaders at the national level, saying, “you know such a defection always starts from the national level. You better contact our stakeholders at the national level to get the information.
“At the state level, we have not received any information to that effect. We are still waiting to hear from either our national headquarters or the governor himself.”
The governor himself has not helped to clarify the matter as he has not been categorical on issues regarding his defection.
Our correspondents report that on Wednesday shortly after presiding over the swearing-in of 17 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries at the Government House, Bauchi, the governor described the speculations as both amusing and exaggerated.
Speaking briefly with journalists he declined to confirm or deny the reports, but acknowledged that it had heightened political attention surrounding him.
He said, “I find it amusing that even when I have not said anything officially, people are already discussing me as if I have moved. It shows the level of attention and relevance we carry. I am now a global personality all of a sudden.”
The governor noted that discussions about his political future have continued to gain traction both within and outside the state, despite his silence on the matter. He insisted that he would address the issue comprehensively at the appropriate time.
“There will be a time for that conversation. I will speak on it fully during a media chat by 7 pm on Channels Television,” he said., adding that he did not want to localise the issue.
Our correspondent, however, reports that the governor did not make the 7 PM appointment as he was said to have postponed it indefinitely without giving reasons.
Why he is said to be defecting
Gov Mohammed has in recent weeks been at the center of intense political speculation, with reports suggesting he may be weighing other options ahead of future political realignments.
A reliable source also informed our correspondent that the Bauchi governor at the moment is not concerned about his political future but how to protect the interest of those that have been loyal to him.
The source said left to the governor, he would be able to take care of himself politically, but that he is worried that those who stood by him all along might be left stranded, hence has been trying to see how best their interests can be accommodated.
Though the Bauchi State governor is the chairman of the PDP Governor’s forum, there are speculations that he would leave due to the crisis rocking the party.
He has been at the forefront of efforts to revive the party and was instrumental to the convening of the national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November, 2025.
With the nullification of the outcome of the Ibadan convention, political watchers believe it is a great setback for the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki led National Working Committee (NWC) which had the support of Gov Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde.
Another thing is that all the governors elected on the platform of the PDP from the North have defected to the APC with the last being the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.
With this development, he is now alone with no alliance within the region.
Early denials
For weeks, Gov Mohammed had maintained that he remains in the PDP.
He told stakeholders from ten local government areas of the state recently that,“If I leave the PDP for any political party, then I am not the Kaura (warrior) that I am, but a coward. A Kaura (warrior) does not run away from wars.”
Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, explained that he has no reason to leave the PDP, under which he was elected governor for two terms by the people of Bauchi State, adding, “The people of Bauchi State have done a lot for me; I will not abandon them for whatever reason.”
The governor assured that he would continue to remain in the PDP for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy.
Challenges before Gov. Bala Mohammed
The Bauchi State governor is currently serving his second term as governor of the state having been elected on the PDP platform in 2019 and re-elected for another four-year tenure in 2023.
Political observers opined that one of the major challenges facing the governor whether he defects to the APC or not is anointing a successor.
There are reports that one of the conditions given to be allowed into the APC is that he cannot choose a successor.
A source within the PDP, who preferred anonymity, told Daily Trust that the incumbent governor will face resistance from within and outside the PDP if he insists on anointing a candidate.
Though the governor has not categorically announced the name of a particular candidate as his successor, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Yakubu Adamu, is being regarded by many observers as the government-anointed governorship contender for the PDP for now.
Other contenders from the APC are; the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar (rtd), Alhaji Bala Mai Jama’a Wunti, Coordinating Minister of health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate and minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Like the national level, the Bauchi State PDP is also factionalised. The party currently has two leaderships with Alhaji Samaila Burga heading the Bala-led faction and Haruna Mohammed leading the other.
