Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Defects from PDP to APM Amid Political Realignments

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), marking a major shift in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the next general elections.

Mohammed made the announcement on Saturday at the Bauchi Government House, where he was flanked by the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, following an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held behind closed doors.

The governor’s move comes after weeks of intense political consultations and reported engagements with several opposition platforms, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions.

Until his defection, Mohammed served as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, making his exit a significant blow to the opposition party.

Sources indicate that the governor had previously hosted a delegation of the ADC led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, in a bid to woo him to the party under the influence of its leadership.

He was also reported to have held discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and senior figures within the APC, while APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda led a delegation to Bauchi in a separate attempt to secure his alignment.

However, negotiations reportedly broke down over disagreements regarding party structure control and power-sharing arrangements.

Reacting to the developments, a factional chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, Samila Adamu Burga, accused rival political actors of deepening divisions within the party and attempting to frustrate the governor’s political base.

Mohammed had earlier, in an interview following a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the PDP national convention in Ibadan, described the judgment as a legal setback but not a political defeat.

He blamed internal crises within the party on key figures, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleging that ongoing factional struggles weakened the PDP’s national cohesion.

Despite leaving the PDP, Mohammed said consultations are ongoing with other political stakeholders, including opposition leaders such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, on possible alliances ahead of the elections.

He, however, ruled out a presidential bid, noting that the position had been zoned to the South. Instead, he confirmed plans to contest the Bauchi South senatorial seat.

“We are working to ensure our supporters have viable platforms to contest. In the coming days, our final position will be made clear,” he said.

Mohammed’s defection adds to growing political realignments across the country, as parties intensify negotiations and coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political observers say the move could reshape alliances within the opposition bloc, particularly if further high-profile defections follow in the coming weeks.