BREAKING: End of PDP as Gov Bala Mohammed plots defection to APC

An end may be in sight for the active relevance of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Chairman of its Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, is reportedly concluding plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) this week, barring any last-minute changes.

Investigations indicate that negotiations surrounding the governor’s move to the ruling party are still ongoing, with discussions focusing on the conditions attached to his defection.

Sources familiar with the talks disclosed that Mohammed has already held consultations with President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the APC, during which he reportedly expressed his intention to join the party.

It was gathered that one of the offers on the table is for the Bauchi governor to receive the APC senatorial ticket after completing his tenure, alongside benefits similar to those enjoyed by other governors who previously defected to the ruling party.

However, insiders said the conditions being presented to Mohammed are more stringent than those given to earlier defectors.

According to the sources, the APC leadership has made it clear that the Bauchi State party structure will not automatically be handed over to him as was done in some previous cases.

Instead, he may only be allowed to contest for a Senate seat under the APC platform and would not be permitted to nominate or influence who succeeds him as governor.

The development has reportedly unsettled members of the PDP, particularly allies of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who were said to be surprised by the possibility of Mohammed leaving the party despite serving as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Some party members have reportedly described the move as disappointing, arguing that it could undermine efforts by the opposition to rebuild and reposition the party.

Sources also linked the political calculations surrounding the governor’s possible defection to the legal troubles of his Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is currently facing terrorism-related allegations and a money laundering case said to involve about N4.6 billion.

According to insiders, the commissioner allegedly threatened to implicate the governor if he was not released from custody.

Another issue said to have surfaced during the negotiations relates to a past public exchange between the governor’s son, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, and Seyi Tinubu, the son of the president.

Shamsudeen had criticised Seyi Tinubu in 2025 for distributing food items to residents of Bauchi State during the Ramadan period, urging him to instead focus on sustainable empowerment initiatives such as job training and business support.

Sources claimed that, as part of efforts to smooth relations, the governor has reportedly apologised to the president’s son over the incident.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Mohammed is said to be pushing for a greater role within the APC structure in Bauchi State, including a proposal for a 60/40 sharing arrangement of the party structure.

To advance this request, the governor reportedly approached the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to intervene and help secure the president’s approval.

Reports also indicate that Mohammed has begun consultations with political stakeholders in Bauchi State ahead of a possible announcement regarding his political future.

If the defection eventually takes place, it could further strengthen the APC’s hold on state governments across the country while dealing another setback to the PDP as it struggles to maintain its position as a formidable opposition party.

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