BREAKING: Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed dumps PDP, defects to APM

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), following weeks of consultations triggered by the Supreme Court judgment on the PDP’s internal leadership dispute.

Mohammed announced his decision on Saturday after a high-level meeting with political stakeholders, where he said discussions focused on the implications of the court ruling and the future of his political direction.

The governor explained that he had spent the past eight days in Abuja engaging key political actors in an attempt to stabilise the PDP, but said recent judicial and internal party developments had fundamentally altered the situation.

According to him, the Supreme Court’s ruling, which nullified parallel conventions held by rival PDP factions and referred the matter back to the trial court, left the party in a weakened legal and structural position.

“After careful consideration and wide consultations with leaders and stakeholders across the country, it has become clear that our efforts to restore stability have not yielded the desired results,” he said.

Mohammed stressed that the decision was not driven by sentiment but by political necessity, adding that governance and electoral readiness required a more stable platform.

He described the APM as a “credible and legally stable alternative” and said the move was aimed at ensuring continuity of governance and political relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor also confirmed that members of his State Executive Council interested in elective positions had resigned in compliance with electoral requirements.

While expressing appreciation to the PDP for its role in his political career, he said the decision to exit the party was taken in the interest of his supporters and the broader political environment.

“We remain PDP at heart. We are leaving not out of bitterness, but out of necessity—to continue the struggle for good governance,” he added.

Mohammed further announced the establishment of transition committees to manage defection processes, including membership registration into APM, liaison with party leadership, and coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He urged supporters to remain calm and united, insisting the move was a strategic repositioning rather than a crisis-driven exit.

Receiving the governor into the APM, the party’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, described the development as a major boost for the party, praising Mohammed’s leadership and democratic credentials.

Dantalle said the APM operates on principles of integrity and national development, adding that the party has no internal crisis and remains open to new entrants.

He formally presented the governor with his membership card and party insignia, marking his official entry into the APM.

The defection is expected to further reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition figures continue to reposition across emerging platforms.