Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, has pledged full support to strengthen the party’s prospects in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections. The assurance came during a meeting with a delegation of PDP leaders from Delta at the Government House in Bauchi, signaling efforts to consolidate the opposition party’s influence amid shifting political alliances.
The delegation, led by PDP elder statesmen Edwin Olley and Dr. Michael Tidi—a former chairman of Warri South Local Government—sought strategic collaboration to revitalize Delta’s PDP chapter following the defection of the state’s governor to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed commended the visitors for their loyalty, describing them as “committed founding members” who resisted recent defections to stay true to the party they helped build. “Their steadfastness is a testament to the PDP’s enduring values,” he said, according to a statement released by Bauchi’s Commissioner for Information, Usman Shehu Usman.
Mohammed reiterated the PDP’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s democratic ideals, calling it the “most formidable” party capable of addressing national challenges. He emphasized solidarity with members nationwide, particularly those in Delta, a state historically aligned with the PDP since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
In response, Olley and Tidi praised Mohammed’s leadership, labeling him a unifying force for the party. They highlighted Delta’s strategic importance as a PDP stronghold and stressed the urgency of rebuilding grassroots support after the outgoing governor’s defection. “We need your guidance to reposition our structures and reclaim our momentum,” Olley said, underscoring concerns over retaining voter confidence in the oil-rich state.
The meeting reflects broader efforts by the PDP to stabilize its ranks ahead of the 2027 polls, with internal cohesion seen as critical to countering the APC’s dominance. Delta’s political landscape has grown increasingly contested, with the PDP aiming to leverage its historical roots in the region. Analysts note that the defection of high-profile members like the Delta governor poses both a challenge and an opportunity for the opposition to reengage its base.
Mohammed’s outreach aligns with the PDP Governors’ Forum’s mandate to foster collaboration among state chapters, particularly in regions undergoing political realignment. While the party faces an uphill battle nationally, its leaders argue that grassroots loyalty and a focus on governance issues—rather than defections—will determine its resurgence.
As Nigeria’s political climate intensifies ahead of the next election cycle, the PDP’s ability to reconcile internal divisions and present a unified front remains a pivotal test of its viability as a national opposition force.
