Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), citing internal crises and uncertainty within the opposition party.
The governor announced his defection on Saturday at the Government House in Bauchi after weeks of consultations with political stakeholders and supporters.
He said the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP played a major role in his decision to seek a new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mohammed had earlier described the PDP as “headless,” expressing concerns over its inability to resolve internal disputes.
Political analysts warn that his exit could significantly weaken the party’s grassroots structure, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Reacting to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the PDP leadership tussle, Mohammed stated that the judgment did not favour any faction.
He noted that neither his camp, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, nor the group aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emerged victorious.
“We have succeeded in ensuring that no single individual hijacks the party,” Mohammed said in an interview with BBC Hausa, adding that the court’s decision maintained a balance of power within the PDP.
He further explained that the party’s Board of Trustees would oversee its affairs temporarily, in accordance with its constitution, pending the formation of a caretaker committee.
The Bauchi governor also accused Wike of undermining the PDP, alleging that the FCT minister and his allies maintain close ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mohammed said his move to the APM is aimed at providing a stable and credible political platform for his supporters.
He also confirmed his intention to contest the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat in the 2027 elections, following what he described as extensive consultations with alternative political parties.
The defection marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape as parties begin early positioning ahead of the next general elections.
