BREAKING: Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Dumps PDP for APM, Cites Strategic Repositioning

BAUCHI —Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), describing the move as a calculated step to strengthen governance and secure a more viable political platform.

The governor announced his defection on Saturday shortly after an expanded stakeholders’ meeting attended by members of the House of Representatives, the Speaker and lawmakers of the State House of Assembly, 20 local government council chairmen, and the State Working Committee of the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, alongside other key party figures.

Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed said the decision followed extensive consultations and due diligence, expressing confidence in the APM’s integrity and capacity to deliver effective leadership. He stressed that the move was not driven by uncertainty but by the need to reposition politically.

“It is not a retreat, but a strategic repositioning,” the governor stated, noting that political leaders must sustain public trust by providing clear direction and credible platforms for governance.

He attributed his decision partly to the fallout from a recent Supreme Court ruling, which invalidated actions arising from parallel conventions held by rival factions within the PDP. According to him, the judgment left the party without a recognised leadership structure, with the Board of Trustees temporarily overseeing its affairs.

Mohammed revealed that he had spent several days in Abuja engaging in high-level consultations aimed at resolving the party’s internal crisis but said the efforts did not yield the desired stability.

“After careful consideration and wide consultations, it has become clear that our efforts to restore stability have not been successful,” he said, while acknowledging the PDP’s role in his political journey and contributions to the development of the state and the country.

He added that the defection was guided by the need to ensure that his supporters and the people of Bauchi State are not left without a functional and effective political platform.

“Consequently, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the APM. This decision is driven by one overriding objective—to secure victory in the state and continue to serve our people with strength and integrity,” he said.

The governor further disclosed that the new political direction would prioritise grassroots mobilisation, strengthening party structures, and presenting a credible alternative ahead of future elections.

He urged supporters to remain calm, united, and focused, while actively engaging the public with the party’s vision and commitment to good governance.