March 15, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may be heading for another major political setback as the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, is reportedly concluding plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that could further weaken the party’s already fragile structure.
Report by THISDAY indicates that Mohammed may formally announce his defection this week, barring any last-minute changes, although negotiations over the terms of his move to the ruling party were said to still be ongoing as of late Sunday.
Multiple sources familiar with the discussions disclosed that the Bauchi governor recently met with President Bola Tinubu and key figures in the APC leadership, where he reportedly expressed his intention to join the ruling party’s political fold.
THEWILL gathered that the governor has been offered the APC senatorial ticket and is expected to receive the same allowances extended to other governors who previously defected to the ruling party. .
One source suggested that Mohammed’s move may not be unconnected with the legal challenges facing his Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is currently battling a money laundering case involving about N4.6 billion.
The governor’s defection to the ruling party is majorly prompted to give a shield against arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he exits office in 2027.
However, sources said Mohammed’s defection comes with stricter conditions than those granted to earlier defectors. THEWILL learnt that during the meeting with the president, he was told that he would not be handed full control of the APC structure in Bauchi State and won’t nominate his successor.
However, Mohammed is said to be uncomfortable with the restriction preventing him from influencing succession plans in Bauchi State, an issue he reportedly considers central to his political legacy.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
