Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), taking along key party structures in the state in a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made on Saturday at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Bauchi, attended by top government officials and party leaders.
Among those present were the PDP state Chairman, Samaila Burga; Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman; Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau; and members of the State Executive Council.
Gov. Mohammed said the decision follows extensive consultations and was driven by unresolved challenges within the PDP, including recent developments and a Supreme Court judgement which, according to him, fell short of expectations.
“We have witnessed actions that did not align with expectations. After wide consultations, it became clear that efforts to bring sanity within the PDP did not yield results,” the governor stated.
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While expressing appreciation for the PDP’s contributions to national and regional development, Gov. Mohammed emphasised the need for a new political direction.
“As responsible leaders, we cannot afford to leave our people without a viable platform. Our duty is to provide clarity and ensure that our political fortunes are not diminished,” he said.
He described the move to the APM as strategic, aimed at strengthening political prospects and offering a credible alternative to the people of Bauchi State.
“This decision is guided by our overall objective to secure victory. The APM offers us a viable platform to organise and serve the people better,” he added.
The governor disclosed that members of the State Executive Council and other stakeholders have also joined the new party, with many expressing interest in contesting future elections under its platform.
To facilitate the transition, Gov. Mohammed announced the formation of a compliance committee to oversee legal and structural alignment with the APM.
He also urged supporters to remain calm and intensify grassroots mobilisation.
“I urge all our members to remain calm and engage our people with conviction. Our focus remains good governance,” he said.
National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Mamman Dantale, welcomed the governor, describing him as a committed democrat and assuring him of stability within the party.
“APM is a democratic party built on Nigeria-first principles, integrity, and service. Bauchi is unique in its political culture where parties compete fairly,” Dantale said.
He further assured the governor of unity within the party, noting that the APM has no internal crises or factions.
The APM chairman formally presented a party membership card, a flag, and symbolic items to Gov. Mohammed, marking his official entry into the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The defection follows failed political talks between the governor and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reportedly over disagreements on power-sharing arrangements.
Efforts by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to attract the governor also did not succeed due to legal challenges within the party.
The development is expected to reshape Bauchi State’s political landscape, as early alignments and defections continue to define the build-up to the 2027 polls.
