Strong indications have emerged that the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, may be preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to reports by ThisDay, the governor could officially announce his defection to the APC within the week, although discussions about the terms of the move are still ongoing.
Sources close to the negotiations revealed that Mohammed has already informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership about his intention to join the ruling party.
One insider disclosed that the Bauchi governor has been offered the APC senatorial ticket, along with other incentives typically extended to governors who defect to the party. However, the conditions reportedly attached to his move are said to be stricter than those granted to earlier defectors.
According to the sources, Mohammed may not be allowed to assume full control of the APC structure in Bauchi State. Instead, the best arrangement available to him is said to be the opportunity to contest for a Senate seat, despite his alleged political ambitions.
A source said the governor had been clearly informed that he would not be permitted to determine the party’s structure in the state or handpick his successor as governor.
Another factor believed to be influencing the planned defection is the legal troubles facing Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu. The commissioner is reportedly battling terrorism-related charges as well as a money laundering case involving about ₦4.6 billion.
Sources claimed that Adamu allegedly threatened to implicate the governor if he remained in detention, adding another layer of pressure to the unfolding political situation.
Additionally, Mohammed is said to have been asked to apologise to Seyi Tinubu, the son of the president, following a previous controversy involving the governor’s son.
The issue reportedly arose after Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed criticised Seyi Tinubu for distributing Ramadan relief items in Bauchi State in March 2025. The remarks reportedly angered APC figures, who considered them embarrassing to the presidency.
According to insiders, the governor has already issued an apology to Seyi Tinubu as part of the negotiations.
Concerns Over Bauchi Succession
Despite the progress in talks, Mohammed is reportedly unhappy with the restriction preventing him from influencing who will succeed him as Bauchi governor.
Sources said he has approached APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, seeking intervention with President Tinubu to allow a 60–40 sharing arrangement of the party structure in Bauchi.
The governor is also believed to have scheduled a meeting with political stakeholders in the state this week as part of consultations ahead of the possible defection.
Meanwhile, the development has reportedly stirred anger among members of the PDP, particularly allies of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who see the move as a betrayal.
Party insiders argued that if the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum chooses to abandon the party, it raises serious concerns about the strength and future of the opposition.
Should Bala Mohammed eventually defect, the APC’s number of governors would reportedly increase to 32.
Currently, the PDP still controls Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde, while the Labour Party governs Abia State through Alex Otti.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance holds Anambra State with Governor Chukwuma Soludo, while the Accord Party controls Osun State under Governor Ademola Adeleke.