By Danjuma Amodu | March 16, 2026
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is set to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) tomorrow, potentially making him the 32nd Governor to defect to the party, according to exclusive reports by Thisday newspaper and Arise News.
Sources close to the governor indicate that his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is driven by a desire to ensure his political survival, with promises of a senatorial seat in the offing.
However, Mohammed’s camp has revealed that he is unwilling to join the APC if it means being in the same party as Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, citing unresolved issues between the two leaders. This development comes as the PDP grapples with internal conflicts, with the Wike-led camp listing two non-negotiable conditions for reconciliation talks with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction.
PDP’s Conditions for Reconciliation
The Wike camp is open to reconciliation but insists that each group come to the negotiation table with their terms and conditions. The Wike-led camp’s conditions for reconciliation include holding the March 29 national convention as scheduled, not entertaining the setup of another national caretaker committee, and ensuring transparency and sincerity of intention. These conditions are aimed at ensuring a genuine reconciliation process and maintaining the party’s structure.
The Turaki-led faction of the PDP is open to reconciliation with the Wike-led camp, but they have their own conditions. They want the PDP to field a presidential candidate in the 2027 elections, which is a major point of contention with the Wike faction, as they support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Regarding Bala Mohammed’s position, he’s reportedly rejected the reconciliation initiative with the Wike-aligned camp. This is likely due to his plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), which would make reconciliation with Wike’s faction unnecessary.
The Cost of Defection
According to sources, Mohammed’s decision to join the APC came at a huge cost, with President Tinubu insisting that he would not be allowed to nominate his successor as governor of Bauchi State. The president also reportedly handed over the structure of APC in the state to the party leadership, citing the state’s political sensitivity.
Mohammed had reportedly requested a 60/40 political structure-sharing arrangement in Bauchi State, seeking to secure his political legacy and influence in the state’s governance.
Additionally, Mohammed’s son, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, allegedly is required to apologise to President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, over a public altercation last year. Shamsudeen had criticised Seyi Tinubu for distributing food items in Bauchi State during Ramadan, calling on him to pursue more sustainable empowerment initiatives.
Top APC Stalwarts Eye Bauchi Governorship
The APC’s insistence that Bala Mohammed won’t have a say in who succeeds him as Bauchi State Governor despite his request for a 60/40 political equation is reportedly linked to the party’s interest in grooming its own candidates for the position.
Sources indicate that top APC officials, including Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Ambassador to Germany, and a seasoned politician with experience in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Alu Pate, the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, a globally recognized health expert and Bala Maijama’a Wunti, a respected oil and gas executive with over three decades of experience in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and Chairman/CEO of the World Energy Council Nigeria. These are APC stalwarts eyeing the governorship seat in Bauchi State, making it unlikely that the incumbent Governor will dictate the party’s choice.
This development underscores the APC’s strategic move to consolidate power in Bauchi State, leveraging its strong lineup of candidates to assert control over the state’s politics.
A Blow to PDP’s Diminishing Ranks
Mohammed’s defection will further erode the PDP’s already dwindling gubernatorial strength, leaving the party with just one governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. This significant setback underscores the PDP’s deepening crisis, with the Labour Party, APGA, and Accord Party retaining governorships in Abia, Anambra, and Osun states, respectively. The APC, on the other hand, will solidify its grip on power with 32 governors, a testament to its growing dominance in Nigerian politics.
Why Mohammed is Defecting
The defection is reportedly linked to Mohammed’s desire to secure a senatorial ticket and have a say in his succession plans. It is also linked to the legal troubles of his Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who faces terrorism charges and a money laundering case involving approximately N4.6 billion. Adamu allegedly threatened to implicate Mohammed if not released from custody.
Concerns about One-Party State
This development has sparked concerns about Nigeria sliding into a one-party state, with the APC gaining significant dominance. The PDP’s internal conflicts and defections have weakened the party, raising questions about its ability to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.
