The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement, (APM).
Mohammed announced his defection on Saturday, following a meeting with political players to discuss the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s decision on the PDP leadership issue and identify a path forward.
Speaking after the meeting, the governor stated that he had spent the previous eight days in Abuja, engaging important stakeholders in efforts to settle the party’s internal issues.
He did, however, acknowledge that the Supreme Court’s decision, which overturned parallel conventions held by competing groups within the PDP, had dramatically altered the political landscape.
The verdict effectively removed both groups’ legal status, requiring the party’s board of trustees to temporarily oversee its business.
Subsequent developments have exacerbated uncertainty inside the party.
“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.
The governor appreciated the PDP for providing a platform for his political growth and service but stressed the need to move on in the interest of governance and political stability.
“However, as responsible leaders, we cannot allow our people to be left without a credible and effective political platform,” he stated.
Mohammed indicated that his choice to join the APM was a strategic move intended to ensure political continuity and electoral success.
He described the party as a viable platform devoid of legal restrictions.
He also revealed that members of the State Executive Council interested in running for elective office have resigned in accordance with the law.
While appreciating the PDP for its role in his political journey, he said the decision to leave was driven by necessity.
“We remain PDP at heart. We are leaving not out of bitterness, but out of necessity—to continue the struggle for good governance,” the governor said.
Mohammed announced his new political platform, saying, “Consequently, after extensive consultations, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement.”
To ensure a smooth transition, the governor proposed establishing a compliance committee, launching online membership registration, formalizing the resignation of interested members, engaging with APM leadership, and forming a committee to interface with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He asked his followers to remain calm and unified, emphasizing that the move was not the result of uncertainty but rather a calculated repositioning.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Dantalle, the National Chairman of the APM, formally welcomed the governor and his supporters into the party.
Dantalle described the APM as a “clean, democratic party” driven by the motto “Nigeria First,” with values based on integrity, sacrifice, and service.
He praised Mohammed’s leadership style, describing Bauchi as a state that promotes democratic norms and encourages broad political engagement.
The APM chairman also praised the party’s success in the recent local government elections, stating that it won councillorships and stayed competitive with other parties.
He informed the defectors that the party is not in the midst of an internal crisis and that it faithfully follows its constitution.
Dantalle then handed the Bauchi governor his membership card and party insignia, symbolizing his formal admittance to the party.
He went on to say that the party’s symbol, the cassava plant, embodies resilience, inclusion, and economic worth, which reflects its vision for national growth.
